Numbers 35:4

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּמִגְרְשֵׁי֙
And the suburbs
a suburb (i.e., open country whither flocks are driven from pasture); hence, the area around a building, or the margin of the sea
#2
הָעִיר֙
of the cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#3
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#4
תִּתְּנ֖וּ
which ye shall give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#5
לַלְוִיִּ֑ם
unto the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#6
מִקִּ֤יר
shall reach from the wall
a wall (as built in a trench)
#7
הָעִיר֙
of the cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#8
וָח֔וּצָה
and outward
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
#9
אֶ֥לֶף
a thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#10
אַמָּ֖ה
cubits
properly, 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)
#11
סָבִֽיב׃
round about
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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