Numbers 35:1-8

New International Reader's Version

The Levites Receive Their Towns

35 On the plains of Moab, the Lord spoke to Moses. It was by the Jordan River across from Jericho. The Lord said, ² “Command the Israelites to give the Levites towns to live in. The towns must come from the shares of land the people will have as their own. Also give the Levites the grasslands around the towns. ³ Then the Levites will have towns to live in. They will also have grasslands for their cattle and all their other livestock.

⁴ “The grasslands around each town you give them will go out to 1,500 feet from the town wall. ⁵ Outside each town, the east side will measure 3,000 feet. So will the south side, the west side and the north side. The town must be in the center. And the Levites will own the grasslands around each town.

Cities to Run to for Safety

⁶ “Six of the towns you give the Levites will be cities to go to for safety. A person who has killed someone can run to one of them. Also give the Levites 42 other towns. ⁷ You must give the Levites a total of 48 towns. Also give them the grasslands around those towns. ⁸ The towns you give the Levites must come from the land the Israelites have as their own. So the number you give from each tribe will depend on the size of that tribe’s share. Take many towns from a tribe that has many towns. But take only a few towns from a tribe that has only a few.”