Numbers 35:5 You 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.

◄ Numbers 35:5 ►

New International Version
Outside the town, measure two thousand cubits on the east side, two thousand on the south side, two thousand on the west and two thousand on the north, with the town in the center. They will have this area as pastureland for the towns.

New Living Translation
Measure off 3,000 feet outside the town walls in every direction—east, south, west, north—with the town at the center. This area will serve as the larger pastureland for the towns.

English Standard Version
And you shall measure, outside the city, on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits, the city being in the middle. This shall belong to them as pastureland for their cities.

Berean Standard Bible
You 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.

King James Bible
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 west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.

New King James Version
And you shall measure outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, on the south side two thousand cubits, on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits. The city shall be in the middle. This shall belong to them as common-land for the cities.

New American Standard Bible
You shall also measure outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, on the south side two thousand cubits, on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits, with the city in the center. This shall become theirs as pasture lands for the cities.

NASB 1995
“You shall also measure outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits, with the city in the center. This shall become theirs as pasture lands for the cities.

NASB 1977
“You shall also measure outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits, with the city in the center. This shall become theirs as pasture lands for the cities.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall also measure outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits, with the city in the center. This shall become theirs as pasture lands for the cities.

Amplified Bible
You shall also measure outside the city on the east, south, west, and north sides two thousand cubits (3,000 ft.), with the city in the center. This shall belong to the Levites as pasture lands for the cities.

Christian Standard Bible
Measure a thousand yards outside the city for the east side, a thousand yards for the south side, a thousand yards for the west side, and a thousand yards for the north side, with the city in the center. This will belong to them as pasturelands for the cities.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Measure 1,000 yards outside the city for the east side, 1,000 yards for the south side, 1,000 yards for the west side, and 1,000 yards for the north side, with the city in the center. This will belong to them as pasturelands for the cities.”

American Standard Version
And ye shall measure without the city for the east side two thousand cubits, and for the south side two thousand cubits, and for the west side two thousand cubits, and for the north side two thousand cubits, the city being in the midst. This shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.

English Revised Version
And ye shall measure without the city for the east side two thousand cubits, and for the south side two thousand cubits, and for the west side two thousand cubits, and for the north side two thousand cubits, the city being in the midst. This shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Outside the city measure off 3,000 feet on the east side, 3,000 feet on the south side, 3,000 feet on the west side, and 3,000 feet on the north side, with the city in the center. This will be their pastureland around the city.

Good News Translation
so that there is a square area measuring one thousand yards on each side, with the city in the middle.

International Standard Version
You are to measure from outside the wall of the town on the east side 2,000 cubits, on the south side 2,000 cubits, on the west side 2,000 cubits, and on the north side 2,000 cubits, with the town placed at the center. This reserved area is to serve as grazing land for their towns.

Majority Standard Bible
You 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.

NET Bible
"You must measure from outside the wall of the town on the east 1,000 yards, and on the south side 1,000 yards, and on the west side 1,000 yards, and on the north side 1,000 yards, with the town in the middle. This territory must belong to them as grazing land for the towns.

New Heart English Bible
You shall measure outside of the city for the east side three thousand four hundred forty-five feet, and for the south side three thousand four hundred forty-five feet, and for the west side three thousand four hundred forty-five feet, and for the north side three thousand four hundred forty-five feet, the city being in the midst. This shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.

World English Bible
You shall measure outside of the city for the east side two thousand cubits, and for the south side two thousand cubits, and for the west side two thousand cubits, and for the north side two thousand cubits, the city being in the middle. This shall be the pasture lands of their cities.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And you have measured from the outside of the city: the east quarter—two thousand by the cubit, and the south quarter—two thousand by the cubit, and the west quarter—two thousand by the cubit, and the north quarter—two thousand by the cubit; and the city [is] in the midst; this is the outskirts of the cities to them.

Young's Literal Translation
And ye have measured from the outside of the city, the east quarter, two thousand by the cubit, and the south quarter, two thousand by the cubit, and the west quarter, two thousand by the cubit, and the north quarter, two thousand by the cubit; and the city is in the midst; this is to them the suburbs of the cities.

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye measured from without the city the east side two thousand cubits, and the south side two thousand by the cubit, and the side of the sea two thousand by the cubit, and the north side two thousand by the cubit; and the city in the midst: this shall be to them the areas of the cities.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Toward the east shall be two thousand cubits: and toward the south in like manner shall be two thousand cubits: toward the sea also, which looketh to the west, shall be the same extent: and the north side shall be bounded with the like limits. And the cities shall be in the midst, and the suburbs without.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Facing the east, there shall be two thousand cubits, and facing the south, similarly, there shall be two thousand cubits. Toward the sea, also, which looks out toward the west, there shall be the same measure, and the northern region shall be bounded by equal limits. And the cities shall be in the center, and the suburbs shall be outside.

New American Bible
You will measure out two thousand cubits outside the city along the east side, two thousand cubits along the south side, two thousand cubits along the west side, and two thousand cubits along the north side, with the city lying in the center. These will be the pasture lands of their cities.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall measure, outside the town, for the east side two thousand cubits, for the south side two thousand cubits, for the west side two thousand cubits, and for the north side two thousand cubits, with the town in the middle; this shall belong to them as pasture land for their towns.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And you shall measure from outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst; this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And measure from outside the city to the side of the east, two thousand cubits, and to the side of the south two thousand cubits, and to the side of the west two thousand cubits, and to the side of the north two thousand cubits, and the city in the midst; this shall be the open space of the city for you.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And ye shall measure without the city for the east side two thousand cubits, and for the south side two thousand cubits, and for the west side two thousand cubits, and for the north side two thousand cubits, the city being in the midst. This shall be to them the open land about the cities.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt measure outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and your city shall be in the midst of this, and the suburbs of the cities as described.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites
…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.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

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 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 20:2-9
“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. / When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them. ...

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. ...

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. ...

Ezekiel 48:8-20
Bordering the territory of Judah, from east to west, will be the portion you are to set apart. It will be 25,000 cubits wide, and the length of a tribal portion from east to west. In the center will be the sanctuary. / The special portion you set apart to the LORD shall be 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide. / This will be the holy portion for the priests. It will be 25,000 cubits long on the north side, 10,000 cubits wide on the west side, 10,000 cubits wide on the east side, and 25,000 cubits long on the south side. In the center will be the sanctuary of the LORD. ...

Acts 7:45
And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David,

Hebrews 11:9
By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.

Matthew 5:14
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Luke 10:30-37
Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. / Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. / So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side. ...

Acts 13:19
And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.

Romans 4:13
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

Galatians 3:18
For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.

Hebrews 4:8
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.

Treasury of Scripture

And you shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the middle: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.

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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

Berean Study Bible

You are to measure
The directive to "measure" indicates a precise and intentional action. In the Hebrew context, the word used here is "madad," which implies a careful and deliberate act of determining boundaries. This reflects God's orderliness and His desire for His people to live within defined limits, both physically and spiritually. The act of measuring is a reminder of God's sovereignty and His provision of space for His people to thrive.

a thousand cubits
The "cubit" is an ancient unit of length, roughly equivalent to the length of a forearm, about 18 inches or 45 centimeters. The specification of "a thousand cubits" suggests a significant area, emphasizing the importance of adequate space for the needs of the Levites and their livestock. This measurement underscores God's provision and care for the practical needs of His people, ensuring they have enough resources to sustain their community.

outside the city
The phrase "outside the city" indicates a separation between the urban center and the surrounding land. This separation is significant in maintaining the sanctity and order of the city, which often served as a place of refuge and worship. The delineation of space outside the city for pastureland reflects God's wisdom in balancing urban and rural needs, ensuring that both spiritual and physical sustenance are provided for His people.

to the east side
The mention of the "east side" is the beginning of a detailed description of the boundaries. In biblical symbolism, the east often represents new beginnings and the direction from which God's glory appears (as seen in Ezekiel 43:2). This directional instruction highlights the comprehensive nature of God's provision, encompassing all directions and aspects of life.

two thousand cubits
The repetition of "two thousand cubits" for the south, west, and north sides emphasizes the uniformity and fairness in the allocation of land. This consistency reflects God's justice and equality in His dealings with His people. The doubling of the measurement from the east side suggests an abundance and generosity in God's provision, ensuring ample space for the needs of the community.

with the city in the center
Placing "the city in the center" signifies the centrality of community and worship in the life of God's people. The city, often a place of refuge and governance, is surrounded by the land that supports it, illustrating the interconnectedness of spiritual and physical life. This central positioning serves as a reminder that God should be at the heart of all aspects of life, guiding and sustaining His people.

This area will serve as pastureland
The designation of the area as "pastureland" highlights the practical and necessary provision for the Levites' livestock. In an agrarian society, pastureland was essential for survival and prosperity. This provision reflects God's understanding of the daily needs of His people and His desire to provide for them in every aspect of life.

for the cities
The phrase "for the cities" indicates that this provision is not just for individual benefit but for the collective well-being of the community. The cities, as centers of refuge and worship, require support from the surrounding land to function effectively. This communal focus underscores the biblical principle of living in community, where resources are shared, and the needs of all are considered.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits . . . --The explanation of this passage commonly given by Jewish writers is that the area included by four lines drawn at a distance of 1,000 cubits from the walls of the city was to be allotted to the Levites for their cattle, and a larger area included by four lines drawn at a distance of 2,000 cubits from the inner suburbs was to be allotted to them for vineyards, &c. The explanation of J. D. Michaelis is, that only an area included by four lines drawn at a distance of 1,000 cubits from the walls of the city was to be assigned to the Levites, and that the length of the city walls, supposing the city to be square, was to be added to the 2,000 cubits of the four boundary lines. The Greek text has 2,000 in Numbers 35:4 as in Numbers 35:5. According to the former of these explanations it is supposed that the space included in the first thousand cubits from the city walls was designed for the cattle, and that the space included in the 2,000 cubits beyond the walls was designed for vineyards, &c., or vice versa. According to the explanation of this passage which has been suggested by J. D. Michaelis, it is supposed that the length of the city wall was added to the 2,000 cubits in every case, so that, e.g., in the case of a city the walls of which were 1,000 cubits in length and breadth, the suburbs would be 3,000 cubits in length and breadth; and in the case of a city the walls of which were 500 cubits in length and breadth, the suburbs would measure 2,500 cubits in length and breadth. It is obvious that, if this supposition be correct, the size of the suburbs would vary in each case with that of the city, so that the suburbs of the larger city, in which there would, in all probability, be a greater number of resident Levites, would be greater than those of a smaller city, in which the number of Levites would probably be less. At the same time, the explanation does not accord so nearly as the preceding with the direction that in every case the measure was to be 2,000 cubits.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 5. - Ye shall measure from without the city (מִחוּצ לָעִיר - ἔξω τῆς πόλεως)... two thousand cubits. These directions are very obscure. Some have held that the country for 1000 cubits beyond the walls was reserved for pasture (according to verse 4), and for another 1000 cubits for fields and vineyards, so that the Levitical lands extended 2000 cubits in all directions. This is reasonable in itself, since 2000 cubits is only half a mile, and rather more than a square mile of land would not seem too much for pastures, gardens, etc. for a town with at least 1000 inhabitants. The smallest tribe territories seem to have comprised some 300 square miles of country; and if we take the Levitical towns as averaging 1000 cubits square, their forty-eight cities would only give them seventy-three square miles of territory. There is, however, no notice of anything being given to the Levites except their "suburbs," so that this explanation must be at best very doubtful. Others have argued for a plan according to which each outer boundary, drawn at 1000 cubits' distance from the wall, would measure 2000 cubits, plus the length of the town wall; but this is far too artificial, and could only be considered possible as long as it was confined to a paper sketch, for it presupposes that each city lay four-square, and faced the four points of the compass. If the first explanation be untenable, the only alternative sufficiently simple and natural is to suppose that, in order to avoid irregularities of measurement, each outer boundary was to be drawn at an approximate distance of 1000 cubits from the wall, and each of an approximate length of 2000 cubits; at the angles the lines would have to be joined as best they might. In Leviticus 25:32-34 certain regulations are inserted in favour of the Levites. Their houses might be redeemed at any time, and not only within the full year allowed to others; moreover, they returned to them (contrary to the general rule) at the year of Jubilee. Their property in the "suburbs" they could not sell at all, for it was inalienable. It is difficult to believe that these regulations were really made at Mount Sinai, presupposing, as they do, the legislation of this chapter; but if they were actually made at this time, on the eve of the conquest, it is easy to see why they were subsequently inserted in the chapter which deals generally with the powers of sale and redemption.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

You are also to measure
וּמַדֹּתֶ֞ם (ū·mad·dō·ṯem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 4058: To stretch, to measure, to be extended

two thousand
אַלְפַּ֪יִם (’al·pa·yim)
Number - md
Strong's 505: A thousand

cubits
בָּֽאַמָּ֟ה (bā·’am·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 520: A mother, a cubit, a door-base

outside
מִח֣וּץ (mi·ḥūṣ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2351: Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors

the city
לָעִ֗יר (lā·‘îr)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

on the east,
קֵ֣דְמָה (qê·ḏə·māh)
Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6924: The front, of place, time

two thousand
אַלְפַּ֨יִם (’al·pa·yim)
Number - md
Strong's 505: A thousand

cubits
בָּאַמָּ֜ה (bā·’am·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 520: A mother, a cubit, a door-base

on the south,
נֶגֶב֩ (ne·ḡeḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

two thousand
אַלְפַּ֣יִם (’al·pa·yim)
Number - md
Strong's 505: A thousand

cubits
בָּֽאַמָּ֗ה (bā·’am·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 520: A mother, a cubit, a door-base

and on the west,
יָ֣ם ׀ (yām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

[and] two thousand
אַלְפַּ֥יִם (’al·pa·yim)
Number - md
Strong's 505: A thousand

cubits
בָּאַמָּ֖ה (bā·’am·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 520: A mother, a cubit, a door-base

on the north,
צָפ֛וֹן (ṣā·p̄ō·wn)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter

with the city
וְהָעִ֣יר (wə·hā·‘îr)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

in the center.
בַּתָּ֑וֶךְ (bat·tā·weḵ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

These areas
זֶ֚ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

will serve
יִהְיֶ֣ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

as larger pasturelands
מִגְרְשֵׁ֖י (miḡ·rə·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4054: A suburb, the area around a, building, the margin of the sea

for the cities.
הֶעָרִֽים׃ (he·‘ā·rîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5892: Excitement

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OT Law: Numbers 35:5 You shall measure outside of the city (Nu Num.)