Numbers 35:1

1 And the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, saying:

Numbers 35:1 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 35:1

And the Lord spake to Moses
After he had described the borders of the land, and given instructions about the division of it among the several tribes, and named the persons that should be concerned in parting and putting it into the possession of the Israelites, he makes a provision for the Levites; for though they had no inheritance in the land as a tribe, yet it was proper they should have cities and houses to dwell in; for it would not be suitable that they should be always about the tabernacle, as they were in the wilderness; and it is concerning this the Lord is said to speak to Moses,

in the plains of Moab by Jordan, near Jericho:
where the Israelites now were, and had been for some time:

saying;
as follows.

Numbers 35:1 In-Context

1 And the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, saying:

2 "Command the children of Israel that they give the Levites cities to dwell in from the inheritance of their possession, and you shall also give the Levites common-land around the cities.

3 They shall have the cities to dwell in; and their common-land shall be for their cattle, for their herds, and for all their animals.

4 The common-land of the cities which you shall give the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits all around.

5 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.