Numbers 35:8

Authorized 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.

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

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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Numbers Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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