Numbers Chapter 35 · Verse 8

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

מֵֽעָרָ֖יו And the cities H5892
מֵֽעָרָ֖יו And the cities
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 1 of 20
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 2 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִתֵּ֥ן shall give H5414
יִתֵּ֥ן shall give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 3 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
מֵֽאֲחֻזַּ֣ת shall be of the possession H272
מֵֽאֲחֻזַּ֣ת shall be of the possession
Strong's: H272
Word #: 4 of 20
something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)
בְּנֵֽי of the children H1121
בְּנֵֽי of the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 5 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 6 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מֵאֵ֤ת H853
מֵאֵ֤ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָרַב֙ from them that have many H7227
הָרַב֙ from them that have many
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 8 of 20
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
תַּרְבּ֔וּ ye shall give many H7235
תַּרְבּ֔וּ ye shall give many
Strong's: H7235
Word #: 9 of 20
to increase (in whatever respect)
וּמֵאֵ֥ת H853
וּמֵאֵ֥ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמְעַ֖ט but from them that have few H4592
הַמְעַ֖ט but from them that have few
Strong's: H4592
Word #: 11 of 20
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
תַּמְעִ֑יטוּ ye shall give few H4591
תַּמְעִ֑יטוּ ye shall give few
Strong's: H4591
Word #: 12 of 20
properly, to pare off, i.e., lessen; intransitively, to be (or causatively, to make) small or few (or figuratively, ineffective)
אִ֗ישׁ every one H376
אִ֗ישׁ every one
Strong's: H376
Word #: 13 of 20
a 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)
כְּפִ֤י according H6310
כְּפִ֤י according
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 14 of 20
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
נַֽחֲלָתוֹ֙ to his inheritance H5159
נַֽחֲלָתוֹ֙ to his inheritance
Strong's: H5159
Word #: 15 of 20
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 16 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִנְחָ֔לוּ which he inheriteth H5157
יִנְחָ֔לוּ which he inheriteth
Strong's: H5157
Word #: 17 of 20
to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate
יִתֵּ֥ן shall give H5414
יִתֵּ֥ן shall give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 18 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
מֵֽעָרָ֖יו And the cities H5892
מֵֽעָרָ֖יו And the cities
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 19 of 20
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
לַלְוִיִּֽם׃ unto the Levites H3881
לַלְוִיִּֽם׃ unto the Levites
Strong's: H3881
Word #: 20 of 20
a levite or descendant of levi

Analysis & Commentary

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; from them that have few ye shall give few—This principle of proportional giving (מֵאֵ֤ת הָרַב֙ תַּרְבּ֔וּ וּמֵאֵ֥ת הַמְעַ֖ט תַּמְעִ֑יטוּ, mēʾēṯ hārāḇ tarbū ûmēʾēṯ hamʿaṭ tamʿîṭû) reflects both justice and equity. Larger tribes (like Judah, Ephraim) with more territory gave more cities; smaller tribes gave fewer. God didn't impose equal burden regardless of ability—He required proportional sacrifice.

This anticipates New Testament teaching on giving: 'according to what one has, not according to what one does not have' (2 Corinthians 8:12). The widow's mite was proportionally greater than the rich man's abundance (Mark 12:41-44). God sees percentages and heart attitude, not merely absolute amounts. This principle guards against both the pride of large gifts and the excuse of small resources.

Historical Context

The tribal allotments varied significantly. Judah and Simeon in the south and Ephraim/Manasseh in the center received large territories and thus contributed more Levitical cities. Smaller tribes like Benjamin and Dan contributed fewer. Joshua 21:1-42 records the actual distribution, showing this proportional principle in action. The system remained functional until the exile (586 BC).

Questions for Reflection