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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 35:8 The 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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/35-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/04_Num_35_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 35:8 - Six Cities of Refuge" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The 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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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The larger tribes will give more towns to the Levites, while the smaller tribes will give fewer. Each tribe will give property in proportion to the size of its land.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/35.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And as for the cities that you shall give from the possession of the people of Israel, from the larger tribes you shall take many, and from the smaller tribes you shall take few; each, in proportion to the inheritance that it inherits, shall give of its cities to the Levites.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/35.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The 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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/35.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the cities which ye shall give <i>shall be</i> of the possession of the children of Israel: from <i>them that have</i> many ye shall give many; but from <i>them that have</i> few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/35.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the cities which you will give <i>shall be</i> from the possession of the children of Israel; from the larger <i>tribe</i> you shall give many, from the smaller you shall give few. Each shall give some of its cities to the Levites, in proportion to the inheritance that each receives.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/35.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />As for the cities which you shall give <i>them</i> from the possession of the sons of Israel, you shall take more from the larger, and you shall take fewer from the smaller; each shall give some of his cities to the Levites in proportion to his inheritance which he possesses.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/35.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220As for the cities which you shall give from the possession of the sons of Israel, you shall take more from the larger and you shall take less from the smaller; each shall give some of his cities to the Levites in proportion to his possession which he inherits.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/35.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“As for the cities which you shall give from the possession of the sons of Israel, you shall take more from the larger and you shall take less from the smaller; each shall give some of his cities to the Levites in proportion to his possession which he inherits.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/35.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now as for the cities which you shall give from the possession of the sons of Israel, you shall take more from the larger, and you shall take less from the smaller; each shall give some of his cities to the Levites in proportion to his possession which he inherits.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/35.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />As for the cities which you shall give from the possession of the Israelites, from the larger <i>tribes</i> you shall take many and from the smaller <i>tribes</i> few; each <i>tribe</i> shall give [at least some] of its cities to the Levites in proportion to [the size of] its inheritance which it possesses.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/35.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Of the cities that you give from the Israelites’ territory, you should take more from a larger tribe and less from a smaller one. Each tribe is to give some of its cities to the Levites in proportion to the inheritance it receives.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/35.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Of the cities that you give from the Israelites&#8217 territory, you should take more from a larger tribe and less from a smaller one. Each tribe is to give some of its cities to the Levites in proportion to the inheritance it receives.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/35.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And concerning the cities which ye shall give of the possession of the children of Israel, from the many ye shall take many; and from the few ye shall take few: every one according to his inheritance which he inheriteth shall give of his cities unto the Levites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/35.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Since the towns for the Levites must come from Israel's own tribal lands, the larger tribes will give more towns than the smaller ones. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/35.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And concerning the cities which ye shall give of the possession of the children of Israel, from the many ye shall take many; and from the few ye shall take few: every one according to his inheritance which he inheriteth shall give of his cities unto the Levites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/35.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The cities you give the Levites from the property of the other Israelites must be given based on the amount of land each tribe owns. Take more cities from larger tribes and fewer from smaller tribes."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/35.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The number of Levite cities in each tribe is to be determined according to the size of its territory." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/35.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You are to apportion the towns that you will be giving the Israelis according to the relative size of the tribe. Take a larger portion from those larger in number and a lesser portion from those fewer in number. Each is to set aside towns for the descendants of Levi proportional to the size of their inheritance that they receive."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/35.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The towns you will give must be from the possession of the Israelites. From the larger tribes you must give more; and from the smaller tribes fewer. Each must contribute some of its own towns to the Levites in proportion to the inheritance allocated to each. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/35.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Concerning the cities which you shall give of the possession of the children of Israel, from the many you shall take many; and from the few you shall take few: everyone according to his inheritance which he inherits shall give of his cities to the Levites."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/35.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities to the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/35.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The 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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/35.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Concerning the cities which you shall give of the possession of the children of Israel, from the many you shall take many, and from the few you shall take few. Everyone according to his inheritance which he inherits shall give some of his cities to the Levites.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/35.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the cities which you give [are] from the possession of the sons of Israel; from the many you multiply, and from the few you diminish; each, according to his inheritance which they inherit, gives to the Levites from his cities.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/35.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the cities which ye give are of the possession of the sons of Israel, from the many ye multiply, and from the few ye diminish; each, according to his inheritance which they inherit, doth give of his cities to the Levites.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/35.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the cities which ye shall give from the possession of the sons of Israel: from the many ye shall multiply; and from the few ye shall diminish: each according to his inheritance which they shall inherit, he shall give from his cities to the Levites.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/35.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And of these cities which shall be given out of the possessions of the children of Israel, from them that have more, more shall be taken: and from them that have less, fewer. Each shall give towns to the Levites according to the extent of their inheritance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/35.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And concerning these cities, which shall be given from the possessions of the sons of Israel: from those who have more, more shall be taken, and from those who have less, less shall be taken. Each shall give towns to the Levites according to the measure of their inheritance.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/35.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In assigning the cities from what the Israelites possess, take more from a larger group and fewer from a smaller one, so that each will cede cities to the Levites in proportion to the heritage which it receives. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/35.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And as for the towns that you shall give from the possession of the Israelites, from the larger tribes you shall take many, and from the smaller tribes you shall take few; each, in proportion to the inheritance that it obtains, shall give of its towns to the Levites.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/35.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And with regard to the cities which you shall give of the inheritance of the children of Israel: from those that have many you shall take many; but from those that have few you shall take few; every one shall give of his cities to the Levites in proportion to the inheritance which he inherits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/35.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the cities that you are giving from the inheritance of the children of Israel, from the many you shall give more, and from the few you shall give less; a man will give from his cities to the Levites according to the proportion of the inheritance that he possesses.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/35.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And concerning the cities which ye shall give of the possession of the children of Israel, from the many ye shall take many, and from the few ye shall take few; each tribe according to its inheritance which it inheriteth shall give of its cities unto the Levites.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/35.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And as for the cities which ye shall give out of the possession of the children of Israel, from those <i>that have</i> much <i>ye shall give</i> much, and from those that have less ye shall give less: they shall give of their cities to the Levites each one according to his inheritance which they shall inherit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/35-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=10778" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/35.htm">Six Cities of Refuge</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>The total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, with their corresponding pasturelands. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: wə·he·‘ā·rîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-fp) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">The cities</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tit·tə·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">you apportion</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: mê·’êṯ (Prep-m:: DirObjM) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/272.htm" title="272: mê·’ă·ḥuz·zaṯ (Prep-m:: N-fsc) -- A possession. Feminine passive participle from 'achaz; something seized, i.e. A possession.">from the territory</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of the Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: yit·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">should be given</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: mê·‘ā·rāw (Prep-m:: N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: lal·wî·yim (Prep-l:: N-proper-mp) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">to the Levites</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: kə·p̄î (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">in proportion to</a> <a href="/hebrew/5159.htm" title="5159: na·ḥă·lā·ṯōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- From nachal; properly, something inherited, i.e. occupancy, or an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion.">the inheritance</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5157.htm" title="5157: yin·ḥā·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to inherit (figurative) mode of descent), or to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or distribute, instate."></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">of each tribe:</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ū·mê·’êṯ (Conj-w, Prep-m:: DirObjM) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: tar·bū (V-Hifil-Imperf-2mp) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">more from</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: hā·raḇ (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">a larger tribe</a> <a href="/hebrew/4591.htm" title="4591: tam·‘î·ṭū (V-Hifil-Imperf-2mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to pare off, i.e. Lessen; intransitively, to be small or few.">and less from</a> <a href="/hebrew/4592.htm" title="4592: ham·‘aṭ (Art:: Adj-ms) -- A little, fewness, a few. Or miat; from ma'at; a little or few.">a smaller one.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>Then the LORD said to Moses,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/21-1.htm">Joshua 21:1-42</a></span><br />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: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-32.htm">Leviticus 25:32-34</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-41.htm">Deuteronomy 4:41-43</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-1.htm">Deuteronomy 19:1-13</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/20-1.htm">Joshua 20:1-9</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-54.htm">1 Chronicles 6:54-81</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-45.htm">Acts 7:45</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-9.htm">Hebrews 11:9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-4.htm">Romans 15:4</a></span><br />For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a></span><br />So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Hebrews 10:1</a></span><br />For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/21-13.htm">Exodus 21:13</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/11-13.htm">2 Chronicles 11:13-14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/45-1.htm">Ezekiel 45:1-6</a></span><br />“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. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the cities which you shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many you shall give many; but from them that have few you shall give few: every one shall give of his cities to the Levites according to his inheritance which he inherits.</p><p class="hdg">possession</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/49-7.htm">Genesis 49:7</a></b></br> Cursed <i>be</i> their anger, for <i>it was</i> fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/32-28.htm">Exodus 32:28,29</a></b></br> And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8-11</a></b></br> And of Levi he said, <i>Let</i> thy Thummim and thy Urim <i>be</i> with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, <i>and with</i> whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; … </p><p class="hdg">from them</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/26-54.htm">Numbers 26:54</a></b></br> To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/33-54.htm">Numbers 33:54</a></b></br> And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: <i>and</i> to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man's <i>inheritance</i> shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/16-18.htm">Exodus 16:18</a></b></br> And when they did mete <i>it</i> with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.</p><p class="hdg">he inheriteth.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/35-2.htm">Children</a> <a href="/numbers/35-7.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/numbers/35-2.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-29.htm">Inheriteth</a> <a href="/numbers/26-55.htm">Inherits</a> <a href="/numbers/35-2.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/35-2.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/numbers/35-7.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/numbers/35-2.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/numbers/35-2.htm">Possession</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-52.htm">Proportion</a> <a href="/numbers/26-56.htm">Smaller</a> <a href="/numbers/35-7.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/numbers/34-15.htm">Tribes</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/35-10.htm">Children</a> <a href="/numbers/35-11.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/numbers/36-2.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-29.htm">Inheriteth</a> <a href="/numbers/36-8.htm">Inherits</a> <a href="/numbers/35-10.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/35-10.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-19.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/numbers/36-8.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/numbers/35-28.htm">Possession</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-10.htm">Proportion</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-5.htm">Smaller</a> <a href="/numbers/35-11.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/numbers/36-3.htm">Tribes</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 35</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-1.htm">Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Six of them are to be cities of refuge</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-9.htm">The laws of murder and manslaughter</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-31.htm">No satisfaction for murder</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/35.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/35.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The cities that you apportion from the territory of the Israelites</b><br>This phrase refers to the allocation of specific cities within the Promised Land to the Levites. The Levites, being the priestly tribe, did not receive a large contiguous territory like the other tribes. Instead, they were given cities scattered throughout Israel. This ensured their presence and priestly duties were accessible to all Israelites, facilitating worship and maintaining the spiritual health of the nation. This distribution also reflects the principle of communal responsibility for spiritual leadership.<p><b>should be given to the Levites</b><br>The Levites were set apart for religious duties, serving in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. They were not to engage in typical agricultural or commercial activities, so they required support from the other tribes. This arrangement underscores the importance of spiritual service and the community's role in sustaining those dedicated to it. The Levites' role as mediators between God and the people prefigures the mediating work of Christ, who is our ultimate High Priest.<p><b>in proportion to the inheritance of each tribe</b><br>This phrase indicates a fair and equitable distribution based on the size and resources of each tribe. Larger tribes were expected to provide more cities, while smaller tribes provided fewer. This principle of proportionality ensured that the burden of supporting the Levites was shared according to each tribe's capacity. It reflects the biblical principle of stewardship and fairness, as seen in the New Testament teaching of giving according to one's means (<a href="/2_corinthians/8-12.htm">2 Corinthians 8:12-14</a>).<p><b>more from a larger tribe and less from a smaller one.</b><br>This final phrase reiterates the principle of proportionality and fairness. It acknowledges the varying capacities of the tribes and ensures that the support of the Levites does not become an undue burden on any single tribe. This system of distribution also highlights the unity and interdependence of the tribes, as they collectively support the spiritual leadership of the nation. This mirrors the New Testament concept of the body of Christ, where each member contributes according to their gifts and abilities (<a href="/1_corinthians/12-12.htm">1 Corinthians 12:12-27</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/l/levites.htm">Levites</a></b><br>A tribe set apart for religious duties and service to God. They were not given a specific territory like other tribes but were instead given cities to dwell in.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The collective tribes of Israel, each receiving a portion of the Promised Land as their inheritance.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/tribes_of_israel.htm">Tribes of Israel</a></b><br>The twelve tribes, each with varying sizes and land allocations, responsible for providing cities to the Levites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/cities_of_refuge.htm">Cities of Refuge</a></b><br>Among the cities given to the Levites, some were designated as cities of refuge, providing asylum for those accused of manslaughter.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/proportional_giving.htm">Proportional Giving</a></b><br>The principle of proportionality in giving reflects fairness and equity, ensuring that each tribe contributes according to its capacity. This can be applied to how we give and serve in our communities today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The Israelites were responsible for the welfare of the Levites, highlighting the importance of supporting those dedicated to spiritual service. This teaches us to value and support our spiritual leaders and workers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision.htm">God's Provision</a></b><br>God's provision for the Levites through the cities given by the tribes demonstrates His care for those who serve Him. We can trust in God's provision for our needs as we serve Him faithfully.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_mercy.htm">Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>The cities of refuge illustrate God's balance of justice and mercy, providing protection for the innocent while upholding the law. This encourages us to seek justice tempered with compassion in our dealings with others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_35.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 35</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_inheritance.htm">What does the Bible say about inheritance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_all_tribes_give_cities_to_levites_peacefully.htm">How plausible is it that every tribe simultaneously relinquished these cities to the Levites (Joshua 21:8-16) without recorded opposition?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_levi's_landlessness_align_biblically.htm">How does Deuteronomy 10:8's statement that Levi had no land inheritance align with inherited lands described in other biblical texts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_numbers_8's_purification_process_historical.htm">Does the detailed purification process in Numbers 8 accurately reflect historical Israelite customs, or might it be a later addition?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/35.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the cities which ye shall give shall be,</span> etc. Rather, "And as to the cities which ye shall give from the possession of the children of Israel, from the many ye shall multiply, and from the few ye shall decrease." What seems to be a general rule of proportionate giving is laid down here, but it was not carried out, and it is not easy to see how it could have been. From the large combined territory of Judah and Simeon nine cities were indeed surrendered (<a href="/joshua/21.htm">Joshua 21</a>), but all the rest, great and small, gave up four apiece, except Naphtali, which gave up three only. As the territory of Naphtali was apparently large in proportion to its numbers, this was probably for no other reason than that the tribe stood last on the list. Every one. Hebrew, <span class="hebrew">אִישׁ</span>. It was in fact each tribe that surrendered so many cities, but since the tribal inheritance was the joint property of all the tribesmen, every man felt that he was a party to the gift. No doubt it was the Divine intention to foster in the tribes as far as possible this local feeling of interest and property in the Levites who dwelt among them (compare the expression "their scribes and Pharisees" in <a href="/luke/5-30.htm">Luke 5:30</a>). The dispersion of the Levites (however mysteriously connected with the prophecy of <a href="/genesis/49-5.htm">Genesis 49:5-7</a>) was obviously designed to form a bond of unity for all Israel by diffusing the knowledge and love of the national religion, and by keeping up a constant communication between the future capital and all the provinces. According to the Divine ideal Israel as a whole was "the election" (<span class="greek">ἡ ἐκλογή</span>) from all the earth, the Levites were the <span class="greek">ἐκλογή</span> of Israel, and the priests the <span class="greek">ἐκλογή</span> of Levi. The priestly family was at present too small to be influential, but the Levites were numerous enough to have leavened the whole nation if they had walked worthy of their calling. They were gathered together in towns of their own, partly no doubt in order to avoid disputes, but partly that they might have a better opportunity of setting forth the true ideal of what Jewish life should be. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/35-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The cities</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהֶֽעָרִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·he·‘ā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֤ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you apportion</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּתְּנוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(tit·tə·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the territory</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֲחֻזַּ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’ă·ḥuz·zaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_272.htm">Strong's 272: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something seized, a possession</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Israelites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">should be given</span><br /><span class="heb">יִתֵּ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(yit·tên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the Levites</span><br /><span class="heb">לַלְוִיִּֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lal·wî·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3881.htm">Strong's 3881: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levites -- descendant of Levi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in proportion to</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּפִ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(kə·p̄î)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the inheritance</span><br /><span class="heb">נַחֲלָתוֹ֙</span> <span class="translit">(na·ḥă·lā·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5159.htm">Strong's 5159: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of each [tribe]:</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֗ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">more from</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּרְבּ֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(tar·bū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a larger [tribe]</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרַב֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·raḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many, great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and less from</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּמְעִ֑יטוּ</span> <span class="translit">(tam·‘î·ṭū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4591.htm">Strong's 4591: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pare off, lessen, in, to be, small, few</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a smaller one.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמְעַ֖ט</span> <span class="translit">(ham·‘aṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4592.htm">Strong's 4592: </a> </span><span class="str2">A little, fewness, a few</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/35-8.htm">Numbers 35:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/35-8.htm">Numbers 35:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/35-8.htm">Numbers 35:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/35-8.htm">Numbers 35:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/35-8.htm">Numbers 35:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/35-8.htm">Numbers 35:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/35-8.htm">Numbers 35:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/35-8.htm">Numbers 35:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/35-8.htm">Numbers 35:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/35-8.htm">Numbers 35:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/35-8.htm">OT Law: Numbers 35:8 Concerning the cities which you shall give (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/35-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 35:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 35:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/35-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 35:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 35:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>