Numbers 35:5
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.
Original Language Analysis
וּמַדֹּתֶ֞ם
And ye shall measure
H4058
וּמַדֹּתֶ֞ם
And ye shall measure
Strong's:
H4058
Word #:
1 of 30
properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended
מִח֣וּץ
from without
H2351
מִח֣וּץ
from without
Strong's:
H2351
Word #:
2 of 30
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
הֶֽעָרִֽים׃
and the city
H5892
הֶֽעָרִֽים׃
and the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 30
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פְּאַ֥ת
side
H6285
פְּאַ֥ת
side
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
5 of 30
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
קֵ֣דְמָה
on the east
H6924
קֵ֣דְמָה
on the east
Strong's:
H6924
Word #:
6 of 30
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
אַלְפַּ֥יִם
two thousand
H505
אַלְפַּ֥יִם
two thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
7 of 30
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
בָּֽאַמָּ֖ה
cubits
H520
בָּֽאַמָּ֖ה
cubits
Strong's:
H520
Word #:
8 of 30
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)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פְּאַ֥ת
side
H6285
פְּאַ֥ת
side
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
10 of 30
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
נֶגֶב֩
and on the south
H5045
נֶגֶב֩
and on the south
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
11 of 30
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
אַלְפַּ֥יִם
two thousand
H505
אַלְפַּ֥יִם
two thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
12 of 30
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
בָּֽאַמָּ֖ה
cubits
H520
בָּֽאַמָּ֖ה
cubits
Strong's:
H520
Word #:
13 of 30
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)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פְּאַ֥ת
side
H6285
פְּאַ֥ת
side
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
15 of 30
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
יָ֣ם׀
and on the west
H3220
יָ֣ם׀
and on the west
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
16 of 30
a 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
אַלְפַּ֥יִם
two thousand
H505
אַלְפַּ֥יִם
two thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
17 of 30
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
בָּֽאַמָּ֖ה
cubits
H520
בָּֽאַמָּ֖ה
cubits
Strong's:
H520
Word #:
18 of 30
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)
וְאֵ֨ת
H853
וְאֵ֨ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פְּאַ֥ת
side
H6285
פְּאַ֥ת
side
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
20 of 30
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
צָפ֛וֹן
and on the north
H6828
צָפ֛וֹן
and on the north
Strong's:
H6828
Word #:
21 of 30
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
אַלְפַּ֥יִם
two thousand
H505
אַלְפַּ֥יִם
two thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
22 of 30
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
בָּֽאַמָּ֖ה
cubits
H520
בָּֽאַמָּ֖ה
cubits
Strong's:
H520
Word #:
23 of 30
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)
הֶֽעָרִֽים׃
and the city
H5892
הֶֽעָרִֽים׃
and the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
24 of 30
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
בַּתָּ֑וֶךְ
shall be in the midst
H8432
בַּתָּ֑וֶךְ
shall be in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
25 of 30
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
27 of 30
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
The measurement system was applied uniformly across all 48 Levitical cities distributed throughout Israel's tribal territories. The symmetrical allocation (equal measurements in all directions) was unusual in ancient land grants, which often followed natural boundaries or reflected political power. This divine prescription ensured fairness regardless of the city's location or the generosity of the surrounding tribe.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's insistence on equal provision in all directions challenge human tendencies toward favoritism and unequal treatment?
- What 'different kind of inheritance' has God given you that may not look like worldly success but is nonetheless substantial?
- Where might God be calling you to service-centered living rather than acquisition-centered living?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits—The אַלְפַּ֣יִם בָּֽאַמָּ֗ה (ʾalpayim bāʾammāh, two thousand cubits) on each side creates apparent tension with verse 4's one thousand cubits. Rabbinic interpretation resolves this: verse 4 describes the inner ring (open space from the wall), verse 5 the outer ring (additional fields and vineyards), totaling 2,000 cubits of suburban land.
The fourfold repetition (east, south, west, north) emphasizes completeness and equal allocation regardless of direction. This prevented favoritism based on terrain or proximity to roads. The Levitical inheritance, though landless in the tribal sense, was nonetheless substantial, secure, and evenly distributed—a different kind of inheritance centered on service rather than conquest.