In biblical times, the term "suburb" referred to the areas surrounding a city, often designated for specific purposes such as pasturelands or living spaces for certain groups. The concept of suburbs is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, primarily in the Old Testament, where they are associated with the cities of the Levites and the allocation of land.

Biblical References:

1. Levitical Cities and Pasturelands:
The most notable mention of suburbs in the Bible is in relation to the Levitical cities. In Numbers 35:2-3 , God commands Moses to allocate cities for the Levites, along with surrounding pasturelands: "Command the Israelites to give the Levites cities to live in from the inheritance they possess, and you are also to give the Levites pasturelands around the cities. The cities will be theirs to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their cattle, flocks, and all their other livestock."

These suburbs served as essential areas for the Levites, who were set apart for religious duties and did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes. The suburbs provided them with the necessary resources to sustain their families and livestock.

2. Dimensions and Boundaries:
The Bible provides specific dimensions for these suburban areas. In Numbers 35:4-5 , it states: "The pasturelands around the cities that you give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits from the city wall on every side. You are also to measure two thousand cubits outside the city on the east side, two thousand on the south side, two thousand on the west side, and two thousand on the north side, with the city in the center. These areas will serve as pasturelands for the cities."

This detailed description underscores the importance of these suburbs as functional spaces for the Levites, ensuring they had adequate land for their needs.

3. Symbolic and Practical Significance:
The suburbs of the Levitical cities held both symbolic and practical significance. Symbolically, they represented the provision and care of God for those dedicated to His service. Practically, they ensured that the Levites could maintain their livestock and sustain their families, allowing them to focus on their religious duties without the burden of agricultural labor.

4. Historical Context:
In the ancient Near East, cities often had surrounding areas that served various purposes, including agriculture, grazing, and defense. The biblical suburbs fit within this broader historical context, reflecting common practices of city planning and land use in the region.

5. Spiritual Implications:
From a spiritual perspective, the allocation of suburbs to the Levites can be seen as a reflection of God's order and provision for His people. It highlights the importance of community support for those in spiritual leadership and the need for designated spaces that facilitate worship and service.

In summary, the concept of suburbs in the Bible is closely tied to the Levitical cities and their surrounding pasturelands. These areas were essential for the sustenance and function of the Levites, serving both practical and symbolic roles within the Israelite community.1. (n.) An outlying part of a city or town; a smaller place immediately adjacent to a city; in the plural, the region which is on the confines of any city or large town; as, a house stands in the suburbs; a garden situated in the suburbs of Paris.

2. (n.) Hence, the confines; the outer part; the environment.

4054. migrash -- a common, common land, open land
... spaces (2), pasture (2), pasture lands (109). cast out, suburb. Also (in plural)
feminine (Ezek. 27:28) migrashah {mig-raw-shaw'}; from ...
/hebrew/4054.htm - 6k

6503. parbar -- probably a structure on the W. side of Solomon's ...
... Parbar, suburb. Or Parvar {par-vawr'}; of foreign origin; Parbar or Parvar, a quarter
of Jerusalem -- Parbar, suburb. 6502, 6503. parbar or parvar. 6504 . ...
/hebrew/6503.htm - 6k

In Jerusalem when Herod Reigned
... cleft of the Tyropoeon, and here creeps up northwards the Lower City' or Acra, in
the form of a crescent, widening into an almost square suburb.' Across the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i in jerusalem when.htm

The Tomb of the Pharaoh
... He entered the streets of the Libyan suburb of the holy city, and passed through
it to the scattering houses, set outside the thickly-settled portion, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxiii the tomb of.htm

First Evangelistic Efforts
... Nearing the end of our journey, as we approached the western suburb of the city,
the prayer of the early Christians, when persecution was commencing, came to ...
/.../taylor/a retrospect/chapter x first evangelistic efforts.htm

A Description of Some Parts of Ancient Jerusalem.
... The first gate which stood on the eastern side of Jerusalem, to the south of the
south-east angle of the Temple, was the one leading to the suburb of Ophel. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xlix a description of.htm

Introduction to the Homilies on S. Ignatius and S. Babylas.
... Rome to Antioch and deposited in the Christian cemetery outside the gates called
the Daphnitic gate, because it led from the city to the famous suburb of Daphne ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/introduction to the homilies on.htm

Work Written by Julian Entitled "Aversion to Beards. " Daphne in ...
... Daphne is a suburb of Antioch, and is planted with cypresses and other trees,
beneath which all kinds of flowers flourish in their season. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xix work written by julian.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... On the right side of the river is a large suburb called Triana, communicating with
Seville by means of a bridge of boats; for there is no permanent bridge ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 17.htm

Crucified, Dead, and Buried. '
... several years after the Crucifixion. The new suburb of Bezetha extended at
that time outside the second wall. Here the great highway ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire --(Continued)
... formed an isolated suburb, that of Azamit, at Medinet-Habu; the chapel of Isis,
constructed by Amenothes, son of Hapu, formed a rallying-point for the huts of ...
/.../chapter ithe close of the.htm

The Value of the One
... Lucy recalled moving from their nice house in Hornsey Rise"a suburb of nearer
London"to a smaller home; her start at business; and then, the great event ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/i the value of the.htm

Suburb (5 Occurrences)
... Paris. 2. (n.) Hence, the confines; the outer part; the environment.
Multi-Version Concordance Suburb (5 Occurrences). Leviticus ...
/s/suburb.htm - 8k

Antioch (21 Occurrences)
... About five miles distant from the city was the suburb of Daphne, a spot
sacred to Apollo and Artemis. This suburb, beautified by ...
/a/antioch.htm - 27k

Syria (73 Occurrences)
... About five miles distant from the city was the suburb of Daphne, a spot
sacred to Apollo and Artemis. This suburb, beautified by ...
/s/syria.htm - 60k

Inhabit (29 Occurrences)
... Numbers 35:2 Command the sons of Israel, and they have given to the Levites of the
inheritance of their possession cities to inhabit; also a suburb for the ...
/i/inhabit.htm - 16k

Rehoboth-ir (1 Occurrence)
... 2. Or, Possibly, the Old Capital, Assur: Though the probabilities in favor of Rebit
Ninua are great, it is doubtful whether a suburb could have been regarded ...
/r/rehoboth-ir.htm - 8k

Rehobothir
... 2. Or, Possibly, the Old Capital, Assur: Though the probabilities in favor of Rebit
Ninua are great, it is doubtful whether a suburb could have been regarded ...
/r/rehobothir.htm - 8k

Defined (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 31:19 And to sons of Aaron, the priests, in the fields of the suburb
of their cities, in every city and city, 'are' men who have been defined by ...
/d/defined.htm - 8k

Daphne
... daf'-ne (Daphne, "bay-tree"): A suburb of Antioch on the Orontes, according to Strabo
and the Jerusalem itinerary, about 40 furlongs, or 5 miles distant. ...
/d/daphne.htm - 8k

Moresheth-gath (1 Occurrence)
... Morasthite" (Jeremiah 26:18). This place was probably a suburb of Gath. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MORESHETH-GATH. mo'-resh-eth ...
/m/moresheth-gath.htm - 8k

Parbar (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (1 Chronicles 26:18), a place apparently connected with
the temple, probably a "suburb" (qv), as the word is rendered in 2 Kings 23:11 ...
/p/parbar.htm - 8k

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