Numbers 35:3

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.

And the cities {H5892} shall they have to dwell in {H3427}; and the suburbs {H4054} of them shall be for their cattle {H929}, and for their goods {H7399}, and for all their beasts {H2416}.

They are to have the cities to live in, while their open land will be for their livestock, for growing crops and for all their animals.

The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock.

And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and their suburbs shall be for their cattle, and for their substance, and for all their beasts.

Commentary

Numbers 35:3 is a specific instruction from God to Moses concerning the allocation of land for the tribe of Levi, who were set apart for priestly and temple service. This verse details that while the Levites would reside within specific cities, the surrounding land, referred to as "suburbs," would be designated solely for their livestock and other possessions, ensuring their sustenance.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Numbers 35 (verses 1-8) that outlines God's command to the Israelites to provide cities for the Levites. Unlike the other eleven tribes, the Levites did not receive a territorial inheritance of their own when the land of Canaan was divided. Instead, their inheritance was the Lord Himself and the offerings of Israel. To accommodate them, 48 cities were to be given to them from within the territories of the other tribes, ensuring their presence among all the people. These cities also included the six Cities of Refuge.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Order: God's meticulous planning is evident in how He ensures the Levites, who were dedicated to His service, would be adequately provided for. This demonstrates His care for those who serve Him and His desire for an orderly society.
  • Support for Ministry: The allocation of these cities and their surrounding pasturelands highlights the principle of supporting those who minister spiritually. Just as the Levites were sustained by the community, there is a biblical precedent for supporting those dedicated to spiritual work.
  • Stewardship of Resources: The clear delineation of land use—cities for dwelling and "suburbs" for livestock—shows a structured approach to land management and resource allocation in ancient Israel. It emphasizes practical stewardship.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV term "suburbs" in this verse translates the Hebrew word migrash (מִגְרָשׁ). This word does not refer to residential outskirts as "suburbs" often implies today. Instead, migrash specifically denotes the open land, common ground, or pastureland immediately surrounding a city. It was essential for grazing cattle and other animals, which were a vital part of the ancient economy and daily life. Numbers 35:4-5 provides specific dimensions for these pasturelands.

Practical Application

While the specific context of Levitical cities is unique to ancient Israel, the principles embedded in Numbers 35:3 remain relevant. It underscores the importance of:

  • Caring for Spiritual Leaders: The command to provide for the Levites teaches us to support those who dedicate their lives to spiritual service and ministry, ensuring they have the necessary resources to live and carry out their work.
  • Wise Resource Management: The distinction between living areas and pasturelands encourages thoughtful planning and stewardship of resources, whether personal or communal.
  • God's Faithfulness: This verse is a testament to God's faithfulness in providing for His people, especially those who prioritize His kingdom and service.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 11:14

    For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD:

  • Joshua 21:11

    And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak, which [city is] Hebron, in the hill [country] of Judah, with the suburbs thereof round about it.

  • Ezekiel 45:2

    Of this there shall be for the sanctuary five hundred [in length], with five hundred [in breadth], square round about; and fifty cubits round about for the suburbs thereof.
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