Numbers 35:4
New International Version
“The pasturelands around the towns that you give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits from the town wall.

New Living Translation
The pastureland assigned to the Levites around these towns will extend 1,500 feet from the town walls in every direction.

English Standard Version
The pasturelands of the cities, which you shall give to the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits all around.

Berean Standard Bible
The pasturelands around the cities you are to give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits from the wall on every side.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
The common-land of the cities which you will give the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits all around.

New American Standard Bible
“The pasture lands of the cities which you are to give to the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits around.

NASB 1995
“The pasture lands of the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits around.

NASB 1977
“And the pasture lands of the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits around.

Legacy Standard Bible
“And the pasture lands of the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward one thousand cubits around.

Amplified Bible
“The pasture lands around the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits (1,500 ft.) around.

Christian Standard Bible
The pasturelands of the cities you are to give the Levites will extend from the city wall five hundred yards on every side.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The pasturelands of the cities you are to give the Levites will extend from the city wall 500 yards on every side.

American Standard Version
And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall be from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.

English Revised Version
And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall be from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"The land around the cities that you give the Levites will extend 1,500 feet from the city wall.

Good News Translation
The pasture land is to extend outward from the city walls five hundred yards in each direction,

International Standard Version
The grazing lands that you are to reserve for use by the descendants of Levi are to extend 1,000 cubits from the walls of the town.

Majority Standard Bible
The pasturelands around the cities you are to give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits from the wall on every side.

NET Bible
The grazing lands around the towns that you will give to the Levites must extend to a distance of 500 yards from the town wall.

New Heart English Bible
"The suburbs of the cities, which you shall give to the Levites, shall be from the wall of the city and outward one thousand seven hundred twenty-two feet six inches, around it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the suburbs of the cities which ye shall give to the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits on all sides.

World English Bible
“The pasture lands of the cities, which you shall give to the Levites, shall be from the wall of the city and outward one thousand cubits around it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the outskirts of the cities which you give to the Levites [are], from the wall of the city and outside, one thousand cubits around.

Young's Literal Translation
And the suburbs of the cities which ye give to the Levites are, from the wall of the city and without, a thousand cubits round about.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the areas of the cities which ye shall give to the Levites from the wall of the city and without, a thousand cubits round about.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Which suburbs shall reach from the walls of the cities outward, a thousand paces on every side:

Catholic Public Domain Version
The suburbs shall extend from the outer walls of the cities, all around, for the space of one thousand steps.

New American Bible
The pasture lands of the cities to be assigned the Levites shall extend a thousand cubits out from the city walls in every direction.

New Revised Standard Version
The pasture lands of the towns, which you shall give to the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the town outward a thousand cubits all around.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the suburbs of the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the fields of the villages that you will give to the Levites are from the wall of the city and outward, one thousand cubits as a circle.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the open land about the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall be from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the suburbs of the cities which ye shall give to the Levites, shall be from the wall of the city and outwards two thousand cubits round about.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites
3The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock. 4The pasturelands around the cities you are to give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits from the wall on every side. 5You are also to measure two thousand cubits outside the city on the east, two thousand on the south, two thousand on the west, and two thousand on the north, with the city in the center. These areas will serve as larger pasturelands for the cities.…

Cross References
Joshua 21:2-3
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:

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 18:6-8
Now if a Levite moves from any town of residence throughout Israel and comes in all earnestness to the place the LORD will choose, / then he shall serve in the name of the LORD his God like all his fellow Levites who stand there before the LORD. / They shall eat equal portions, even though he has received money from the sale of his father’s estate.

Ezekiel 45:1-6
“When you divide the land by lot as an inheritance, you are to set aside a portion for the LORD, a holy portion of the land 25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits wide. This entire tract of land will be holy. / Within this area there is to be a section for the sanctuary 500 cubits square, with 50 cubits around it for open land. / From this holy portion, you are to measure off a length of 25,000 cubits and a width of 10,000 cubits, and in it will be the sanctuary, the Most Holy Place. ...

1 Chronicles 6:54-60
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. ...

2 Chronicles 31:15-19
Under his authority, Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah faithfully distributed portions to their fellow priests in their cities, according to their divisions, old and young alike. / In addition, they distributed portions to the males registered by genealogy who were three years of age or older—to all who would enter the house of the LORD for their daily duties for service in the responsibilities of their divisions— / and to the priests enrolled according to their families in the genealogy, as well as to the Levites twenty years of age or older, according to their responsibilities and divisions. ...

Nehemiah 11:20
The rest of the Israelites, with the priests and Levites, were in all the villages of Judah, each on his own inheritance.

Jeremiah 32:7-8
Behold! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum, is coming to you to say, ‘Buy for yourself my field in Anathoth, for you have the right of redemption to buy it.’ / Then, as the LORD had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and urged me, ‘Please buy my field in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for you own the right of inheritance and redemption. Buy it for yourself.’” Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.

Acts 4:34-37
There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, / and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need. / Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement), ...

Acts 6:1-6
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 ...

Acts 21:8-9
Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven. / He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

Romans 15:25-27
Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve the saints there. / For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. / They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:13-14
Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia. / In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity. / For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord, ...

2 Corinthians 9:12-14
For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God. / Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others. / And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.


Treasury of Scripture

And the suburbs of the cities, which you shall give to the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.

thousand cubits.

Suburbs

City

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Cities City Cubits Extend Hundred Levites Open Outward Pasture Pasturelands Reach Round Sides Thousand Towns Wall
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Numbers 35
1. Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof
6. Six of them are to be cities of refuge
9. The laws of murder and manslaughter
31. No satisfaction for murder














The pastureland
The Hebrew word for "pastureland" is "migrash," which refers to open land surrounding a city. This land was designated for the Levites, who were the priestly tribe of Israel. The pastureland was not just for agricultural purposes but also served as a buffer zone, providing space for the Levites to live and work. This allocation underscores the importance of supporting those who serve in spiritual roles, ensuring they have the necessary resources to fulfill their duties.

around the cities
The cities mentioned here are the Levitical cities, which were distributed among the tribes of Israel. The Levites did not receive a specific territory like the other tribes but were given cities within each tribe's land. This arrangement highlights the integration of spiritual leadership within the community, ensuring that the Levites were accessible to all Israelites for religious instruction and guidance.

you give to the Levites
The Levites were set apart for service to God and the community, and their sustenance was provided by the other tribes. This phrase emphasizes the communal responsibility to support those dedicated to spiritual service. It reflects the biblical principle of stewardship and the importance of providing for those who minister in the name of the Lord.

will extend a thousand cubits
A cubit is an ancient measurement roughly equivalent to 18 inches or 45 centimeters. The specification of "a thousand cubits" indicates a defined and significant area surrounding each city. This measurement ensured that the Levites had adequate space for their livestock and other needs, symbolizing God's provision and care for His servants.

from the city wall
The city wall represents protection and boundary. The measurement from the city wall signifies the beginning of the Levites' allotted land, marking a clear distinction between the city proper and the surrounding pastureland. This separation underscores the idea of sacred space, where the Levites could carry out their duties without interference, yet remain connected to the community they served.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The pasturelands
וּמִגְרְשֵׁי֙ (ū·miḡ·rə·šê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4054: A suburb, the area around a, building, the margin of the sea

around the cities
הֶֽעָרִ֔ים (he·‘ā·rîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5892: Excitement

you are to give
תִּתְּנ֖וּ (tit·tə·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the Levites
לַלְוִיִּ֑ם (lal·wî·yim)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

[will extend]
וָח֔וּצָה (wā·ḥū·ṣāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2351: Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors

a thousand
אֶ֥לֶף (’e·lep̄)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 505: A thousand

cubits
אַמָּ֖ה (’am·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 520: A mother, a cubit, a door-base

from the wall
מִקִּ֤יר (miq·qîr)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7023: A wall

on every side.
סָבִֽיב׃ (sā·ḇîḇ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around


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OT Law: Numbers 35:4 The suburbs of the cities which you (Nu Num.)
Numbers 35:3
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