Numbers 35:1-Ruth

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:1-34

THE CITIES OF REFUGENumbers 35:1-34; Numbers 36:1-131. THE INHERITANCE OF THE LEVITESThe order relating to the Levitical cities may be said to describe an ideal settlement. We have, at all events, no evidence that the command was ever fully carried out. It was to the effect that in forty-eight cities, scattered throughout the whole of the tribes in proportion to their population, dwellings were to be allotted to the Levites, who were also to have the suburbs of those cities; that is to say, the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Numbers 35:1-34

11. The Cities of Refuge CHAPTER 35 1. The provision of the Levites: Forty-eight cities (Numbers 35:1-8 ) 2. The cities of refuge (Numbers 35:9-34 ) The cities of the Levites were scattered through the land. Genesis 49:7 is therefore fulfilled. The provision of cities for refuge is full of interest. The careful study of the purpose of these cities is recommended. Note especially that they were provided to give shelter for those who had killed a person unawares. The avenger of blood... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:1-34

CITIES GIVEN TO THE LEVITES (vs.1-8) The Levites had no tribal possession, but were to be scattered among the tribes so as to serve and teach the ways of the Lord (Deuteronomy 33:10). Therefore the tribes were required to give cities to the Levites where they might have tribes were required to give cities to the Levites where they might have land around the cities where they could care for their livestock (vs.1-3). Among these cities six were to be appointed as cities of refuge (v.6), and 42... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:1-34

CITIES OF THE LEVITES , CITIES OF REFUGE We may conclude our exposition of Numbers with this chapter, as the final one contains no difficulties not dealt with in previous lessons, or that are not explained in the text itself. THE CITIES OF THE LEVITES (Numbers 35:1-5 ) As the Levites were to have no domain like the other tribes, 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... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Numbers 35:1

CONTENTS This Chapter may be properly considered as a continuation of the former. As the sons of Levi had no portion with their brethren, because the LORD was their portion; in this Chapter we have the part which the LORD assigned in Canaan for the possession of his priests. Forty-eight cities, with their suburbs, are marked out for them. Beside these, six cities are appointed as cities of refuge for the manslayer, which this Chapter takes notice of; and other laws for regulation concerning... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:1-8

1-8 The cities of the priests and Levites were not only to accommodate them, but to place them, as religious teachers, in several parts of the land. For though the typical service of the tabernacle or temple was only in one place, the preaching of the word of God, and prayer and praise, were not thus confined. These cities were to be given out of each tribe. Each thus made a grateful acknowledgement to God. Each tribe had the benefit of the Levites dwelling amongst them, to teach them the... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Numbers 35:1-8

The Cities of the Levites v. 1. And the Lord spake unto Moses in the Plains of Moab by Jordan, near Jericho, saying, v. 2. Command the children of Israel that they give unto the Levites of the Inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in, for the Levites, as a tribe, received no special territory in the land of Canaan, Numbers 18:20-Isaiah :; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them, meadows, pasture-land for their herds and flocks, fields which... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Numbers 35:1-34

THIRTEENTH SECTIONRegulations for the Levitical Cities and the Cities of RefugeNumbers 35:01And the Lord spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, 2Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites, of the inheritance of their possession, cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them. 3And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods,... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Numbers 35:1-15

the Cities of Refuge for the Manslayer Numbers 35:1-15 This chapter is full of provision for the Levites, the chosen ministers of God’s house. They who serve there may be at rest about their maintenance. He is not unrighteous to forget their labor of love. These forty-eight cities must have been centers of religious influence throughout the land. As cities set on a hill that could not be hid, as salt staying corruption, as lights along a rock-bound coast-so must they have stood in the Holy... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:1-34

It will be remembered that the Levites were not permitted to hold, any inheritance in the land. Jehovah was the portion of their inheritance. Provision was now made for them. Forty-eight cities scattered throughout the whole land were to be the places of their abode. This scattering of the servants of the Tabernacle through the length and breadth of the land was a beneficent arrangement. Nothing is said of religious service to be rendered by them in their own cities. They were rather to go up... read more