Numbers 35 7

Numbers 35:7 kjv

So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs.

Numbers 35:7 nkjv

So all the cities you will give to the Levites shall be forty-eight; these you shall give with their common-land.

Numbers 35:7 niv

In all you must give the Levites forty-eight towns, together with their pasturelands.

Numbers 35:7 esv

All the cities that you give to the Levites shall be forty-eight, with their pasturelands.

Numbers 35:7 nlt

In all, forty-eight towns with the surrounding pastureland will be given to the Levites.

Numbers 35 verses

Numbers 35 7 Meaning

Numbers 35:7 declares a specific divine command for the Israelites to provide the Levite tribe with a total of forty-eight cities, each accompanied by its designated pasture lands. This provision ensured the livelihood and dwelling places for the Levites, who, unlike the other tribes, did not receive a tribal land inheritance in Canaan. These cities were to be allocated from the territories of the other tribes, making the sustenance of the spiritual leadership a collective responsibility of the entire nation.

Numbers 35 7 Context

Numbers chapter 35, following the detailed instructions for tribal land allotments, sets forth specific provisions for the Levite tribe and the establishment of Cities of Refuge. Prior to this, Numbers outlines the Levitical roles in maintaining the Tabernacle and their spiritual duties. Because the Levites had no territorial inheritance, as the Lord Himself was declared their inheritance, the remaining tribes were divinely commanded to provide them with dwellings and economic support. Verse 7 specifically concludes the total number of these cities to be granted to the Levites, which included six designated as Cities of Refuge (mentioned later in the same chapter). Historically, this command was crucial for the organizational structure of Israel after entering Canaan, ensuring that the priests and spiritual teachers of the Law were integrated throughout the entire nation rather than centralized in one area, allowing for accessible religious guidance for all tribes.

Numbers 35 7 Word analysis

• All (כֹּל - kol): This Hebrew word signifies completeness or totality. It emphasizes that every single city designated for the Levites was to be accounted for, leaving no exception. It highlights the divine precision and the comprehensive nature of the instruction given to Israel regarding the Levite's dwelling.
• the cities (הֶעָרִים - heh-ārim): Refers to walled towns or settlements. These were not mere villages but established dwelling places, indicating stable and secure abodes. The mention of "cities" suggests a measure of organization and structure in their living arrangements.
• you shall give (תִּתְּנוּ - tittenū): This verb is in the second person plural, signifying that the responsibility lay collectively with the tribes of Israel. It was a commanded action, an act of obedience and communal support for the Levites, who ministered to the Lord and the nation. This verb form underlines the active role and obligation of the people.
• to the Levites (לַלְוִיִּם - laLviyyim): Specifically identifies the recipients of these cities. The Levites were set apart for service to God and were uniquely distinct among the tribes, possessing no inheritance of land because the Lord was their portion. This distinction underscores their sacred vocation.
• shall be forty-eight (שְׁמֹנֶה וְאַרְבָּעִים - shmōneh v'arba'im): This precise numerical declaration underscores the exactness of the divine blueprint. The number 48 is significant: if each of the twelve tribes were to provide cities proportional to their size and prosperity (a traditional interpretation suggests four cities per tribe, though actual allocation in Joshua 21 varied in count per tribe, maintaining the total of 48). This specificity removed ambiguity and demanded faithful execution.
• cities (עִיר - eir): Repeating "cities" re-emphasizes that these were not just abstract concepts but tangible, habitable places.
• with their pasture lands (וְאֵת מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶם - v'et migrshēyhem): This phrase is critical, extending the provision beyond just urban dwellings. Migrāsh (pasture lands) refers to open land around the cities used for grazing livestock (crucial for Levite sustenance) and as open common space. This highlights that the provision was comprehensive, not merely providing a roof, but also economic means for the Levites and their families. These lands were distinct from the agricultural fields of the main tribes, often limited to specific measurements around the city.

• Words-group Analysis:
• "All the cities you shall give to the Levites": This phrase highlights the divine mandate for communal provision. It stresses that the welfare and functioning of the dedicated tribe for spiritual service was a national responsibility, shared by all the other land-owning tribes. It portrays God's method of ensuring His servants were cared for, dependent on the obedience and generosity of His people.
• "forty-eight cities with their pasture lands": This specific directive provides the exact scope of the provision. The precise number signifies meticulous divine planning for the equitable distribution of Levite presence throughout Israel. The inclusion of "pasture lands" demonstrates God's holistic provision for the Levites, considering their complete living needs, not just habitation but also the means for their families and necessary livestock to thrive, enabling their uninterrupted focus on priestly duties. This arrangement fostered national unity through mutual interdependence, ensuring spiritual guidance was dispersed rather than concentrated.

Numbers 35 7 Bonus section

• Symbolic Significance of 48: The number 48 is precisely four cities for each of the twelve tribes. This equitable distribution symbolized the shared responsibility of all Israel to support those set apart for divine service, emphasizing unity and mutual interdependence within the covenant community. It ensured no tribe lacked access to Levitical teaching and priestly functions.
• Preventing Centralization: The scattered distribution of Levite cities, rather than one consolidated territory, prevented the Levites from forming a distinct political or territorial power base. This ensured their primary loyalty remained spiritual and national, aligned with their divine calling to serve all Israel rather than a specific region. This structure was foundational for safeguarding Israel against potential spiritual decline and establishing centers of learning across the land.
• Covenant Fulfillment: The allocation of these cities and lands was a direct fulfillment of God's promises and commands given earlier in Numbers and Deuteronomy regarding the Levites' unique status and sustenance, illustrating God's faithfulness in caring for those consecrated to Him and calling His people to faithful obedience.

Numbers 35 7 Commentary

Numbers 35:7 encapsulates the divine design for the support and dispersal of the Levites, essential for Israel's spiritual well-being. By specifying precisely "forty-eight cities with their pasture lands," God ensured a structured and complete provision for His chosen tribe, who dedicated themselves entirely to His service. This command served several vital purposes: it guaranteed the livelihood of the Levites, integrating them throughout the various tribal territories (Joshua 21 confirms this distribution) despite their lack of a separate land inheritance. This dispersal enabled the Levites to effectively fulfill their roles as teachers of the Law and religious instructors across the nation, thus making God's statutes accessible to all the tribes. The inclusion of "pasture lands" highlights God's holistic care, ensuring not just housing but also practical means of sustenance, enabling them to focus on their sacred duties without being burdened by material worries.