Numbers 35:2

_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._ Give unto the Levites ... cities to dwell in. Since the Levites were to have no territorial domain allocated to them, like the other tribes, on the conquest of Canaan (Numbers 18:20), they were to be distributed throughout the land (cf. Genesis 47:7) in certain cities appropriated to their use; and these cities were to be surrounded by extensive suburbs. There is an apparent discrepancy between Numbers 35:4 with regard to the extent of the suburbs; but the statements in the two verses refer to totally dif

1-8 The cities of the priests and Levites were not only to accommodate them, but to place them, as religious teachers, in several parts of the land. For though the typical service of the tabernacle or temple was only in one place, the preaching of the word of God, and prayer and praise, were not thus confined. These cities were to be given out of each tribe. Each thus made a grateful acknowledgement to God. Each tribe had the benefit of the Levites dwelling amongst them, to teach them the knowledge of the Lord; thus no parts of the country were left to sit in darkness. The gospel provides that he who is taught in the word, should communicate to him that teaches, in all good things, Galatians 6:6. We are to free God's ministers from distracting cares, and to leave them at leisure for the duties of their station; so that they may be wholly employed therein, and avail themselves of every o...

SUBURBS - Rather, “pasture-grounds,” required for their large cattle, for their sheep and goats, and for all their beasts whatever they might be Numbers 35:3....

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 CI...

11. THE CITIES OF REFUGE CHAPTER 35 _ 1. The provision of the Levites: Forty-eight cities (Numbers 35:1)_ 2. The cities of refuge (Numbers 35:9) The cities of the Levites were scattered through the land. Genesis 49:7 is therefore fulfilled. The provision of cities for refuge is full of interest. The careful study of the purpose of these cities is recommended. Note especially that they were provided to give shelter for those who had killed a person unawares. The avenger of blood (Hebrew: _goel, which means to redeem) pursued the person and the city of refuge gave shelter. The death of the high priest resulted in liberty for all who were in the cities of refuge. It was the signal that they could

APPOINTMENT OF LEVITICAL CITIES AND CITIES OF REFUGE. This law must be supplementary to, and later than, the law in Numbers 18:8, which does not contemplate the assignment to the Levites of cities in addition to the tithes, and indeed, definitely denies to them any territorial possessions (Numbers 18:20; _cf._ Deuteronomy 18:1). The cities here bestowed on the Levites are forty-eight in number, and are enumerated in Joshua 21; but the facts (_a)_ that some did not come fully under Israelitish ownership until after Joshua's death (_e.g._ Gezer, see p. 28, Judges 1:29 *,...

CHILDREN. sons. THAT THEY GIVE. Jehovah gives to the Nation; the Nation gives to the Levites....

_The Levitical cities_ The Levites are to receive 48 cities with their surrounding land (E.VV. -suburbs"), six of which are to be -cities of refuge." The cities are to be contributed by each tribe in numbers proportionate to its size. Each plot of land is to be a square of 2,000 cubits (_c._1,000 yards). The carrying out of this law is related in fuller detail in Joshua 21, where the allotment is as follows: the _Kohathite Levites_were given 10 towns in Ephraim, Dan and western Manasseh, the _Gershonites_13 in Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and eastern Manasseh, the _Merarites_12 in Reuben, Gad and Zebulun, while the _priests_had 10 in Judah, Simeon and Benjamin. Two considerations, however, shew that this is a purely ideal arrangement, which could never have been actually brought about: 1st, In a hilly country like Palestine, cut with deep ravines, it would be impossib

AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES,—SAYING— As the priests and Levites, were a distinct body from the rest of the nation, and had no share in the division of the country, God here assigns them several towns for their residence, with such a portion of ground about them as would serve for their decent subsistence. Under the name _Levites_ are comprehended both priests and Levites, who were all of the tribe of Levi. See Joshua 21:4. Notwithstanding this provision, it was lawful for them to hire or purchase houses in any other city, particularly Jerusalem; for we find in Scripture many proofs of their dwelling in other cities besides these which are assigned to them; and in like manner, no doubt, other people, with their permission, might dwell with them in their cities. It is plain, that the suburbs of the cities were for pasturage, and for the use of their cattle. _Their goods_ mean stables f

D. CITIES RESERVED FOR THE LEVITES (NUMBERS 35:1-8) TEXT Numbers 35:1. And the Lord spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, 2. 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. 3. And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts. 4. And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about. 5. And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side, two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the wes