King James Version
“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 35:5 · KJV
And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.
And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.
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.
And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities. to them: Heb. above them ye shall give
So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“And ye shall measure”
H4058properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended
“and the city”
H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“on the east”
H6924the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
“two thousand”
H505hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
“cubits”
H520properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“and on the south”
H5045the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
“two thousand”
H505hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
“cubits”
H520properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“and on the west”
H3220a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
“two thousand”
H505hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
“cubits”
H520properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“and on the north”
H6828properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
“two thousand”
H505hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
“cubits”
H520properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
“and the city”
H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
“this shall be to them the suburbs”
H4054a suburb (i.e., open country whither flocks are driven from pasture); hence, the area around a building, or the margin of the sea
“and the city”
H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Numbers 35:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.