Numbers 35

Numbers 35:1-5 . EIGHT AND FORTY CITIES GIVEN TO THE LEVITES.

2. give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in--As the Levites were to have no territorial domain allocated to them like the other tribes on the conquest of Canaan, they were to be distributed throughout the land in certain cities appropriated to their use; and these cities were to be surrounded by extensive suburbs. There is an apparent discrepancy between Numbers 35:4 and Numbers 35:5 , with regard to the extent of these suburbs; but the statements in the two verses refer to totally different things--the one to the extent of the suburbs from the walls of the city, the other to the space of two thousand cubits from their extremity. In point of fact, there was an extent of ground, amounting to three thousand cubits, measured from the wall of the city. One thousand were most probably occupied with outhouses for the accommodation of shepherds and other servants, with gardens, vineyards, or oliveyards. And these which were portioned out to different families ( 1 Chronicles 6:60 ) might be sold by one Levite to another, but not to any individual of another tribe ( Jeremiah 32:7 ). The other two thousand cubits remained a common for the pasturing of cattle ( Leviticus 25:34 ) and, considering their number, that space would be fully required.

Numbers 35:6-8 . CITIES OF REFUGE.

6. there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer--The establishment of those privileged sanctuaries among the cities of the Levites is probably traceable to the idea, that they would be the most suitable and impartial judges--that their presence and counsels might calm or restrain the stormy passions of the blood avenger--and that, from their being invested with the sacred character, they might be types of Christ, in whom sinners find a refuge from the destroyer (see Deuteronomy 4:43 , Joshua 20:8 ).

8. the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel--The burden of furnishing those places for the residence and support of the Levitical order was to fall in equitable proportions upon the different tribes (see Numbers 33:54 , Joshua 20:7 ).

Numbers 35:9-34 . THE BLOOD AVENGER.