Num 35:1-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Num 35:1-8: 35:1-34 The tribe of Levi received no territory, so ch 35 describes their allotment of 48 towns dispersed among the territories of Israel’s other tribes (see Josh 21 ; see also Lev 25:32-34 ; 1 Chr 13:2 ; 2 Chr 11:14 ). Just as the Levites had lived in the center of the Israelite camp during the wilderness period (cp. Num 2:17 ), in the Promised Land they were to live among the other tribes and have a leavening influence among them (see Deut 33:9-10 ; 2 Chr 17:7-9 ; 19:8-11 ; 35:3 ). The cities and their surrounding pastureland were not a “homeland” (cp. Num 18:23 ; 26:62 ) but only a tiny fraction of the Canaanite territory dispersed among the other tribes.

Summary for Num 35:1-8: 35:1-34 ^a The tribe of Levi received no territory, so ch 35 ^b describes their allotment of 48 towns dispersed among the territories of Israel’s other tribes (see Josh 21 ^c; see also Lev 25:32-34 ^d; 1 Chr 13:2 ^e; 2 Chr 11:14 ^f). Just as the Levites had lived in the center of the Israelite camp during the wilderness period (cp. Num 2:17 ^g), in the Promised Land they were to live among the other tribes and have a leavening influence among them (see Deut 33:9-10 ^h; 2 Chr 17:7-9 ⁱ; 19:8-11 ^j; 35:3 ^k). The cities and their surrounding pastureland were not a “homeland” (cp. Num 18:23 ^l; 26:62 ^m) but only a tiny fraction of the Canaanite territory dispersed among the other tribes.
Summary for Num 35:4-5: 35:4-5 ⁿ Readers have long attempted to explain the alleged contradiction between the 1,500 feet and the 3,000 feet. If the Hebrews conceived of a town as a fixed point, then the square of territory around each town would measure 3,000 feet on each side. Another solution is to see a distinction between pastureland (35:4 ^o) and larger pastureland (35:5 ^p) around the town. On the basis of this text, some Jewish interpreters restricted the distance that one could walk on the Sabbath to 3,000 feet (2,000 cubits) from home.
Summary for Num 35:6-34: 35:6-34 ^q Six of the Levites’ towns had a special purpose as cities of refuge, places where a person who has accidentally killed someone can flee for safety. This unusual institution illustrates the humanitarian aspect of Hebrew law (see also Deut 4:41-43 ^r; 19:1-13 ^s; Josh 20 ^t). These six Levitical towns provided a safe haven in cases of accidental or involuntary manslaughter (cp. Exod 21:12-14 ^u). Just as the forty-eight Levite towns were widely distributed across Israel’s territories, the six cities of refuge were dispersed so they would be widely accessible (see Josh 20:7-8 ^v). These designated settlements supplemented the role of the altar as a temporary place of asylum (e.g., 1 Kgs 1:50-53 ^w; 2:28-34 ^x; cp. Exod 21:14 ^y). Other ancient peoples provided special places of asylum or refuge, often at the altar (see Exod 21:12-14 ^z; 1 Kgs 2:28-34 ^aa), but only ancient Israel established whole settlements as places of sanctuary, reflecting a special interest in social justice.