This verse describes God’s command to ensure the Levites have cities to live in and pasture for their livestock, emphasizing that they depend on His provision and the community’s support.
Command the sons of Israel that they give to the Levites from the inheritance of their possession cities to live in; and you shall give to the Levites pasture lands around the cities. (v.2)
In this passage, Moses records the LORD’s instructions concerning the tribe of Levi. Historically, Moses wrote the Book of Numbers in the wilderness period, around 1440 - 1400 BC, after Israel’s exodus from Egypt. Here, the Levites are a tribe set aside to serve in worship, sacrifices, and priestly duties. Although other tribes would each receive a specific territory in the Promised Land (the land of Canaan), the Levites were not given a typical land allotment because their portion was to rely on the LORD’s provision and the support from the other tribes. They were, however, granted cities within the tribal territories of Israel, as well as surrounding pasture lands. Numbers 18:20 explains this principle by stating that God Himself would be their inheritance, a concept Moses repeats often to reinforce that they do not have a physical share of land like the other tribes—yet they are to receive support from tithes and offerings. This is why Numbers 35:2 requires the other Israelite tribes to provide them with both living spaces and pasture for their flocks.
The instruction to “give to the Levites from the inheritance of their possession” highlights a communal responsibility among God’s people. While each tribe would settle in its designated region, the Levites’ role necessitated that they live throughout the land, ministering and teaching God’s Word to Israel and ensuring a faithful practice of worship. These cities became a reminder to the entire nation that they were collectively responsible for maintaining proper worship and reverence for the LORD. The Levites, descended from Levi (who lived around the 1800s BC), were distinct from the time of Moses onward, and their responsibilities included the service of the tabernacle, carrying the ark of the covenant, pronouncing blessings on the people, and other priestly duties.
Numbers 35:2 also points forward to the concept of depending on God rather than land ownership. It shows how God gave the Levites an unusual arrangement, so that by not focusing on farming their own inheritance, they could devote themselves to spiritual service. Many centuries later, Jesus would likewise live among the people, minister to them, and model the ultimate dependence on the Father (Matthew 8:20 states that “the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head”), reflecting a similar reliance on divine provision for a higher, priestly calling.
They were also to be supported by tithes and offerings, which allowed the Levites to dedicate their time to sacred duties. The other tribes’ generosity in giving them cities and pasture lands illustrated the familial unity God desired for Israel. Everyone in the covenant community was responsible to ensure that the Levites lacked nothing, because the Levites’ role benefited all.
This verse therefore underscores the interdependence of God’s people in funding and supporting spiritual service, while also anticipating how Jesus would embody the perfect priestly ministry, reliant on the Father’s provision for the sake of humanity.
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Numbers 35:2 meaning
Command the sons of Israel that they give to the Levites from the inheritance of their possession cities to live in; and you shall give to the Levites pasture lands around the cities. (v.2)
In this passage, Moses records the LORD’s instructions concerning the tribe of Levi. Historically, Moses wrote the Book of Numbers in the wilderness period, around 1440 - 1400 BC, after Israel’s exodus from Egypt. Here, the Levites are a tribe set aside to serve in worship, sacrifices, and priestly duties. Although other tribes would each receive a specific territory in the Promised Land (the land of Canaan), the Levites were not given a typical land allotment because their portion was to rely on the LORD’s provision and the support from the other tribes. They were, however, granted cities within the tribal territories of Israel, as well as surrounding pasture lands. Numbers 18:20 explains this principle by stating that God Himself would be their inheritance, a concept Moses repeats often to reinforce that they do not have a physical share of land like the other tribes—yet they are to receive support from tithes and offerings. This is why Numbers 35:2 requires the other Israelite tribes to provide them with both living spaces and pasture for their flocks.
The instruction to “give to the Levites from the inheritance of their possession” highlights a communal responsibility among God’s people. While each tribe would settle in its designated region, the Levites’ role necessitated that they live throughout the land, ministering and teaching God’s Word to Israel and ensuring a faithful practice of worship. These cities became a reminder to the entire nation that they were collectively responsible for maintaining proper worship and reverence for the LORD. The Levites, descended from Levi (who lived around the 1800s BC), were distinct from the time of Moses onward, and their responsibilities included the service of the tabernacle, carrying the ark of the covenant, pronouncing blessings on the people, and other priestly duties.
Numbers 35:2 also points forward to the concept of depending on God rather than land ownership. It shows how God gave the Levites an unusual arrangement, so that by not focusing on farming their own inheritance, they could devote themselves to spiritual service. Many centuries later, Jesus would likewise live among the people, minister to them, and model the ultimate dependence on the Father (Matthew 8:20 states that “the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head”), reflecting a similar reliance on divine provision for a higher, priestly calling.
They were also to be supported by tithes and offerings, which allowed the Levites to dedicate their time to sacred duties. The other tribes’ generosity in giving them cities and pasture lands illustrated the familial unity God desired for Israel. Everyone in the covenant community was responsible to ensure that the Levites lacked nothing, because the Levites’ role benefited all.
This verse therefore underscores the interdependence of God’s people in funding and supporting spiritual service, while also anticipating how Jesus would embody the perfect priestly ministry, reliant on the Father’s provision for the sake of humanity.