Numbers 35:2

Verse

“Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities.

American Standard Version (1901)

Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and suburbs for the cities round about them shall ye give unto the Levites.

Bible in Basic English

Give orders to the children of Israel to give to the Levites, from the heritage which is theirs, towns for themselves, with land on the outskirts of the towns.

Free Bible Version

“Order the Israelites to provide from their land allocation towns for the Levites to live in and pastures around the towns.

King James (Authorized) Version

Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.

One Unity Resource Bible

“Enjoin the children of Israel [God prevails] to give to the Levites [Descendants of United with] of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in. You shall give suburbs for the cities around them to the Levites [Descendants of United with].

Translation for Translators

“Tell the Israeli people that from the land that they will receive, they must give to the descendants of Levi some cities in which they can live. They must also give them some land around these cities.

Unlocked Literal Bible

“Command the people of Israel to give some of their own shares of land to the Levites. They must give them cities to live in and pastureland surrounding those cities.

Noah Webster Bible

Command the children of Israel, that they give to the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also to the Levites suburbs for the cities around them.

World English Bible

“Command the children of Israel to give to the Levites cities to dwell in out of their inheritance. You shall give pasture lands for the cities around them to the Levites.

Young's Literal Translation

'Command the sons of Israel, and they have given to the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to inhabit; also a suburb for the cities round about them ye do give to the Levites.

Context

Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites

¹Again the LORD spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho:²“Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities.³The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock.

Summary

In Numbers 35:2, God commands the Israelites to give the Levites cities to live in and pasturelands for their livestock. This provision was part of God's plan to ensure that the Levites, who were set apart for service in the tabernacle, had places to dwell and sustain themselves. It demonstrates God's care for those dedicated to His service and the importance of supporting those who are called to minister to the spiritual needs of the community. This verse highlights the principle of providing for the needs of those who serve in God's house, showing the value of practical support in facilitating their work.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Command the children of Israel,.... All the tribes of them; it is not a bare instruction that is given them, much less a mere request that is made to them, or something proposed, and left to their option whether they would agree to it or not; but it is strictly enjoined them by the Lord, who had given them freely all they should possess, and who had a right to all they had, and to whom they were in duty and gratitude bound to do his will and pleasure: the order is: that they give unto the Levites, of the inheritance of their possession, cities to dwell in; which was but reasonable and requisite, that the ministers of God, and the assistants of the priests, and who did the service of the congregation, that they should have, habitations for them and their families, as well as food and raiment was provided for them in another way: and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them; which were partly for ornament to their cities, and partly for their health, that they might have air, and not be too closely confined within the walls of their cities; and also for convenience, that they have room for their cattle, and places to lay up the increase of their fields, as after suggested. Jarchi says, that a suburb was a space and place parted without the city, round about, for the beauty of it; but they were not allowed to build there an house (i.e. to dwell in), nor to plant a vineyard, nor to sow seed; other ground is after provided for such uses.