And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.

NUMBERS 35:5KJV
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Numbers 35:5 (KJV)

What does Numbers 35:5 mean?

Numbers 35:5 describes how the Israelites were to measure out a specific area—two thousand cubits in every direction from the city walls—to serve as the suburbs or pasturelands around each city given to the Levites. This instruction set the boundaries for the land surrounding each Levitical city, making sure there was space for their animals and daily needs.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving detailed instructions for when the Israelites would settle in the Promised Land. The Levites, who did not receive a tribal territory like the other Israelites, were assigned cities to live in, and these measured suburbs provided them with necessary space for livestock and practical living. The city itself was to be in the middle, with equal measurements extending outward on all four sides, creating a clear and organized layout.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 35:5

  • מָדַד (madad, "measure"): This word means to measure or mark out, emphasizing the careful, deliberate setting of boundaries rather than a rough estimate.
  • פְּרָזוֹת (perazot, "suburbs"): This word refers to open land or pastureland outside the city walls, showing that the area was not for building but for practical use like grazing animals.
  • תָּוֶךְ (tavek, "midst"): This word means "middle" or "center," clarifying that the city itself was to be surrounded on all sides by these measured suburbs, not off to one edge.

Why Numbers 35:5 matters

  • Numbers 35:5 clarifies that the Levites were given not just cities but also a fair amount of surrounding land, addressing their practical needs for space and resources.
  • The verse shows the importance of order and fairness in how the land was distributed, with each city’s suburbs measured equally in every direction.
  • This instruction connects to the wider passage by highlighting the unique role and provision for the Levites among the tribes of Israel, setting them apart for their special duties.

Where else these words appear

“measure” Hebrew H4058 · used in 49 verses

  • Exodus 16:18 And when they did mete it 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.
  • Ezekiel 40:13 He measured then the gate from the roof of one little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth was five and twenty cubits, door against door.
  • Ezekiel 41:13 So he measured the house, an hundred cubits long; and the separate place, and the building, with the walls thereof, an hundred cubits long;

“side” Hebrew H6285 · used in 59 verses

  • Exodus 25:26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
  • Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
  • Ezekiel 48:1 Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan.

“suburbs” Hebrew H4054 · used in 67 verses

  • Leviticus 25:34 But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession.
  • Joshua 21:26 All the cities were ten with their suburbs for the families of the children of Kohath that remained.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:68 And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs,

“east” Hebrew H6924 · used in 83 verses

  • Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
  • Joshua 19:12 And turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border of Chislothtabor, and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia,
  • Psalms 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.