Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version In all you must give the Levites forty-eight towns, together with their pasturelands. New Living Translation In all, forty-eight towns with the surrounding pastureland will be given to the Levites. English Standard Version All the cities that you give to the Levites shall be forty-eight, with their pasturelands. Berean Standard Bible The total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, with their corresponding pasturelands. King James 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. New King James Version So all the cities you will give to the Levites shall be forty-eight; these you shall give with their common-land. New American Standard Bible The total number of the cities which you are to give to the Levites shall be forty-eight cities, together with their pasture lands. NASB 1995 “All the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty-eight cities, together with their pasture lands. NASB 1977 “All the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty-eight cities, together with their pasture lands. Legacy Standard Bible All the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty-eight cities, together with their pasture lands. Amplified Bible So you shall give to the Levites forty-eight cities in all, together with their pasture lands. Christian Standard Bible The total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, along with their pasturelands. Holman Christian Standard Bible The total number of cities you give the Levites will be 48, along with their pasturelands. American Standard Version All the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities; them shall ye give with their suburbs. Contemporary English Version so they will have a total of 48 towns with their surrounding pastures. English Revised Version All the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs. GOD'S WORD® Translation So you will give a total of 48 cities with pastureland to the Levites. Good News Translation with their pasture land, making a total of forty-eight. International Standard Version The total number of towns that you are to give to the descendants of Levi is to be 48 towns, including grazing lands surrounding these towns. NET Bible "So the total of the towns you will give the Levites is forty-eight. You must give these together with their grazing lands. New Heart English Bible All the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty-eight cities together with their suburbs. Webster's Bible Translation So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, with their corresponding pasturelands. World English Bible All the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty-eight cities together with their pasture lands. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionall the cities which you give to the Levites [are] forty-eight cities, them and their outskirts. Young's Literal Translation all the cities which ye give to the Levites are forty and eight cities, them and their suburbs. Smith's Literal Translation All the cities which ye shall give to the Levites, forty and eight cities: them and their areas. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThat is, in all forty-eight with their suburbs. Catholic Public Domain Version that is, all together forty-eight with their suburbs. New American Bible a total of forty-eight cities with their pasture lands which you will assign to the Levites. New Revised Standard Version The towns that you give to the Levites shall total forty-eight, with their pasture lands. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo all the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty-eight cities in all, together with their suburbs. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated All the cities that you are giving to the Levites are forty and eight cities, those and their open spaces. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917All the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with the open land about them. Brenton Septuagint Translation Ye shall give to the Levites in all forty-eight cities, them and their suburbs. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Six Cities of Refuge6Six 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.”… Cross References Joshua 21:41-42 For the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all, together with their pasturelands, within the territory of the Israelites. / Each of these cities had its own surrounding pasturelands; this was true for all the cities. Leviticus 25:32-34 As for the cities of the Levites, the Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the cities they possess. / So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed—a house sold in a city they possess—and must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the Israelites. / But the open pastureland around their cities may not be sold, for this is their permanent possession. Deuteronomy 4:41-43 Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east / to which a manslayer could flee after killing his neighbor unintentionally without prior malice. To save one’s own life, he could flee to one of these cities: / Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau belonging to the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the Gadites, or Golan in Bashan belonging to the Manassites. Joshua 20:1-9 Then the LORD said to Joshua, / “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, / so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. ... 1 Chronicles 6:54-81 Now these were the territories assigned to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clan for their settlements, because the first lot fell to them: / They were given Hebron in the land of Judah and its surrounding pasturelands. / But the fields and villages around the city were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh. ... Deuteronomy 19:1-13 When the LORD your God has cut off the nations whose land He is giving you, and when you have driven them out and settled in their cities and houses, / then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess. / You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities. ... Joshua 21:1-3 Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribes of Israel / at Shiloh in the land of Canaan and said to them, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities in which to live, together with pasturelands for our livestock.” / So by the command of the LORD, the Israelites gave the Levites these cities and their pasturelands out of their own inheritance: Exodus 21:13 If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. Joshua 14:4 The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds. 2 Chronicles 11:13-14 Moreover, the priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel stood with Rehoboam. / For the Levites left their pasturelands and their possessions and went to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of the LORD. Acts 6:1-7 In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. / So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. / Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them ... Hebrews 13:10 We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat. Matthew 5:17-18 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Luke 10:25-37 One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” / “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” / He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” ... Romans 12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Treasury of Scripture So all the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall you give with their suburbs. Joshua 21:3-42 And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs… 1 Chronicles 6:54-81 Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot… Jump to Previous Cities Eight Levites Open Pasture Pasturelands Round Suburbs Together TownsJump to Next Cities Eight Levites Open Pasture Pasturelands Round Suburbs Together TownsNumbers 35 1. Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof6. Six of them are to be cities of refuge 9. The laws of murder and manslaughter 31. No satisfaction for murder The total number of cities you give the Levites The Levites were the priestly tribe of Israel, set apart for religious duties and service to God. Unlike the other tribes, they did not receive a large territorial inheritance in the Promised Land. Instead, they were given specific cities scattered throughout the territories of the other tribes. This distribution ensured that the Levites could fulfill their roles as spiritual leaders and teachers across the nation. The allocation of cities to the Levites reflects God's provision for their needs and His desire for them to be integrated into the community life of Israel, serving as a constant reminder of God's presence and law. will be forty-eight with their corresponding pasturelands Persons / Places / Events 1. LevitesThe tribe of Levi, set apart for religious duties and service to the Tabernacle, and later the Temple. They were not given a specific territory like other tribes but were instead given cities to dwell in. 2. Cities of Refuge Among the forty-eight cities given to the Levites, six were designated as cities of refuge, where individuals who committed unintentional manslaughter could seek asylum. 3. Pasturelands The areas surrounding the Levitical cities, provided for the sustenance of their livestock, ensuring the Levites could maintain their livelihood. 4. Moses The leader of the Israelites who, under God's direction, allocated these cities to the Levites as part of the broader division of the Promised Land. 5. Promised Land The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and where the Israelites settled after their exodus from Egypt. Teaching Points God's Provision for His ServantsThe allocation of cities to the Levites demonstrates God's care and provision for those dedicated to His service. It reminds us of the importance of supporting those who minister in spiritual capacities today. The Role of the Levites as Mediators The Levites served as mediators between God and the people, a role that foreshadows the ultimate mediation of Christ. This calls us to appreciate and understand the significance of Christ's priestly role in our lives. Community Responsibility The other tribes were responsible for providing for the Levites, illustrating the principle of communal support and interdependence within the body of believers. Sanctity of Life and Justice The cities of refuge highlight the value God places on life and justice, providing a system for protection and fair trial. This encourages us to uphold justice and mercy in our communities. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 35:7?2. How does Numbers 35:7 emphasize God's provision for the Levites' dwelling needs? 3. What does the allocation of cities reveal about God's justice and order? 4. How can we apply the principle of fair distribution in our communities today? 5. In what ways does Numbers 35:7 connect to God's care for His servants? 6. How does this verse encourage us to support those in ministry roles? 7. Why were 48 cities given to the Levites in Numbers 35:7? 8. How does Numbers 35:7 reflect God's provision for the Levites? 9. What is the significance of the number 48 in Numbers 35:7? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 35? 11. How do we reconcile the mention of 48 Levite cities (Numbers 35:1–8) with limited archaeological evidence for so many Levitical settlements? 12. Why does Genesis 49:5–7 curse Simeon and Levi, yet the Levites later assume priestly duties—does this indicate an internal contradiction? 13. Why does Numbers 35:4-5 mandate a 2,000-cubit boundary around each Levite city, despite no clear historical or archaeological confirmation of such precise measurements? 14. How plausible is it that every tribe simultaneously relinquished these cities to the Levites (Joshua 21:8-16) without recorded opposition? What Does Numbers 35:7 Mean The total number of citiesThe verse opens by spotlighting God’s precise provision: “The total number of cities…” (Numbers 35:7). Earlier, in Numbers 35:1–5, the LORD had already instructed Moses to carve out space within Israel’s tribal allotments for the Levites. This summary statement confirms that nothing was left vague; every tribe would contribute an exact share. Such specificity echoes God’s previous meticulous commands—think of the tabernacle measurements in Exodus 25–27 or the census figures in Numbers 1. He is a God of order, not randomness (1 Corinthians 14:33), and the total here underlines His careful shepherding of His people’s practical needs. you give the Levites The Levites were set apart “to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD, to minister to Him and to bless in His name” (Deuteronomy 10:8). Because “the LORD is their inheritance” (Deuteronomy 10:9; Joshua 13:14), they received no large contiguous territory like the other tribes. Instead, God wove them into the national fabric through donated cities. This arrangement fulfilled Jacob’s prophetic blessing over Levi—scattered yet honored in service (Genesis 49:5-7). Each tribe’s gift of city-space became a tangible partnership in worship life, making the Levites accessible across the land (2 Chronicles 17:8-9). will be forty-eight The exact number matters. Six of the forty-eight were Cities of Refuge (Numbers 35:6; Joshua 20:7-9), places where an accused manslayer could flee for a fair hearing—a vivid picture of justice and mercy metering side by side (Hebrews 6:18). The remaining forty-two were standard Levitical towns (Joshua 21:41). Altogether they formed a network strategically sprinkled “from the Negev to the hill country” (Joshua 21:9-19), ensuring every Israelite lived within reach of Levitical teaching (Deuteronomy 33:10; Malachi 2:7). Forty-eight also provides mathematical symmetry: four cities from each of the twelve tribes, reflecting national unity around God’s law. with their corresponding pasturelands Each city came “with their pasturelands around them” (Numbers 35:7). These fields—measured carefully at “a thousand cubits on every side” (Numbers 35:4-5)—supplied space for flocks, herds, and community gardens. Because Levites relied on tithes and offerings (Numbers 18:21-24), the pasturelands supplemented their livelihood, enabling them to focus on priestly duties without neglecting daily sustenance (Nehemiah 13:10-13). Moreover, the green belts created a buffer, preserving each city’s sacred function and symbolizing fruitfulness for those who dwell near God (Psalm 92:12-14). summary Numbers 35:7 displays God’s precise, caring provision for His servants. Forty-eight cities—six for refuge, forty-two for regular ministry—were scattered among Israel so the Levites could teach, intercede, and model worship. The accompanying pasturelands safeguarded their practical needs. In this single sentence we see the LORD’s balance of order, justice, and compassion, weaving the ministry of His chosen servants into the everyday landscape of His people. Verse 7. - Forty and eight cities. The Levites numbered nearly 50,000 souls (see on Numbers 26:62), so that each Levitical city would have an average population of about 1000 to start with. There seems no sufficient reason for supposing that they shared their towns with men of the surrounding tribe. Even if the provision made for their habitation was excessive at first (which does not appear), yet their rate of increase should have been exceptionally high, inasmuch as they were not liable to military service. It is possible that mystical reasons led to the selection of the number forty-eight (12 x 4, both typical of universality), but it is at least equally probable that it was determined by the actual numbers of the tribe.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The totalכָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every number of cities הֶעָרִ֗ים (he·‘ā·rîm) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 5892: Excitement you give תִּתְּנוּ֙ (tit·tə·nū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 5414: To give, put, set the Levites לַלְוִיִּ֔ם (lal·wî·yim) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi [will be] forty-eight, אַרְבָּעִ֥ים (’ar·bā·‘îm) Number - common plural Strong's 705: Forty with their corresponding אֶתְהֶ֖ן (’eṯ·hen) Direct object marker | third person feminine plural Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case pasturelands. מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן׃ (miḡ·rə·šê·hen) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine plural Strong's 4054: A suburb, the area around a, building, the margin of the sea Links Numbers 35:7 NIVNumbers 35:7 NLT Numbers 35:7 ESV Numbers 35:7 NASB Numbers 35:7 KJV Numbers 35:7 BibleApps.com Numbers 35:7 Biblia Paralela Numbers 35:7 Chinese Bible Numbers 35:7 French Bible Numbers 35:7 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 35:7 All the cities which you shall give (Nu Num.) |
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