Numbers 35:7

Verse

The total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, with their corresponding pasturelands.

American Standard Version (1901)

All the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities; them shall ye give with their suburbs.

Bible in Basic English

Forty-eight towns are to be given to the Levites, all with land round them.

Free Bible Version

The total number of towns you are to give the Levites is forty-eight, along with their pastures.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

One Unity Resource Bible

All the cities which you shall give to the Levites [Descendants of United with] shall be forty-eight cities together with their suburbs.

Translation for Translators

You must also give to the descendants of Levi 42 other cities and the land around those cities, for their animals,.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The cities that you give to the Levites will total forty-eight. You must give their pasturelands with them.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

All the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty-eight cities together with their pasture lands.

Young's Literal Translation

all the cities which ye give to the Levites [are] forty and eight cities, them and their suburbs.

Context

Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites

⁶Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities.⁷The total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, with their corresponding pasturelands.⁸The cities that you apportion from the territory of the Israelites should be given to the Levites in proportion to the inheritance of each tribe: more from a larger tribe and less from a smaller one.”

Summary

In Numbers 35:7, God instructs the Israelites to set aside cities as 'cities of refuge' where individuals who unintentionally commit manslaughter can flee for protection from avengers seeking retribution. This provision demonstrates God's mercy and justice, providing a way for those who cause accidental harm to find safety and fair treatment. It also underscores the importance of upholding the value of human life and promoting forgiveness and reconciliation rather than unchecked vengeance. The cities of refuge serve as a tangible reminder of God's grace and the need for compassion and understanding in dealing with tragic situations.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty eight cities,.... Of these forty eight cities, their names, and what tribes they were in, and which of them were particularly cities of refuge, an account is given in Jos 21:10, them shall ye give, with their suburbs; according to the dimensions before prescribed.

Numbers 35:7

Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

The total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, with their corresponding pasturelands.

American Standard Version (1901)

All the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities; them shall ye give with their suburbs.

Bible in Basic English

Forty-eight towns are to be given to the Levites, all with land round them.

Free Bible Version

The total number of towns you are to give the Levites is forty-eight, along with their pastures.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

One Unity Resource Bible

All the cities which you shall give to the Levites [Descendants of United with] shall be forty-eight cities together with their suburbs.

Translation for Translators

You must also give to the descendants of Levi 42 other cities and the land around those cities, for their animals,.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The cities that you give to the Levites will total forty-eight. You must give their pasturelands with them.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

All the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty-eight cities together with their pasture lands.

Young's Literal Translation

all the cities which ye give to the Levites [are] forty and eight cities, them and their suburbs.