The Levites' Inheritance
Henry, Matthew Numbers 35:1-8 And the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,… 1. Cities were allowed them with their suburbs (ver. 2). They were not to have any ground for tillage; they needed not to sow or reap, or gather into barns, for their heavenly Father fed them with the tithe of the increase of other people's labours, that they might the more closely attend the study of the law, and might have more leisure to teach the people; for they were not fed thus easily that they might live in idleness, but that they might give themselves wholly to the business of their profession and not be entangled in the affairs of this life. (1) Cities were allotted them that they might live near together, and converse with one another about the law, to their mutual edification; and that, in doubtful cases, they might consult one another, and in all cases strengthen one another's hands. (2) These cities had suburbs annexed to them for their cattle (ver. 3); a thousand cubits from the wall was allowed them for out-housing to keep their cattle in, and then two thousand and more for fields to graze their cattle in (vers. 4, 5). Thus was care taken that they should not only live, but live plentifully, and have all desirable conveniences about them, that they might not be looked upon with contempt by their neighbours. 2. These cities were to be assigned to them out of the possessions of each tribe (ver. 8). (1) That each tribe might thus make a grateful acknowledgment to God out of their real as well as out of their personal estates; for what was given to the Levites was accepted as given to the Lord, and thus their possessions were sanctified to them. (2) That each tribe might have the benefits of the Levites dwelling among them to teach them the good knowledge of the Lord. Thus that light was diffused through all parts of the country, and none left to sit in darkness (Deuteronomy 33:10). They shall teach Jacob Thy judgments. Jacob's curse on Levi's anger was, "I will scatter them in Israel" (Genesis 44:7); but that curse was turned into a blessing, and the Levites, by being thus scattered, were put into a capacity of doing so much the more good. It is a great mercy to a country to be replenished in all parts with faithful ministers. ( Matthew Henry, D. D..) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, WEB: Yahweh spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying,