King James Version
“And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth. he: Heb. they inherit”
Numbers 35:8 · KJV
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.
And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth. he: Heb. they inherit
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;
KJV Study — Public Domain
“And the cities”
H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
“shall give”
H5414to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
“shall be of the possession”
H272something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)
“of the children”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
“of Israel”
H3478he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“from them that have many”
H7227abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“ye shall give few”
H4591properly, to pare off, i.e., lessen; intransitively, to be (or causatively, to make) small or few (or figuratively, ineffective)
“every one”
H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
“according”
H6310the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
“to his inheritance”
H5159properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
“which he inheriteth”
H5157to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate
“shall give”
H5414to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
“And the cities”
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 35:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Numbers 35:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge