Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, Levitical cities hold a significant place within the structure of ancient Israelite society. These cities were designated for the Levites, the tribe set apart for religious duties and service to the Tabernacle, and later, the Temple. The establishment of Levitical cities is rooted in the instructions given by God to Moses and the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
Biblical FoundationThe concept of Levitical cities is primarily outlined in the Book of Numbers. God commanded Moses to allocate cities for the Levites, as they were not given a specific inheritance of land like the other tribes.
Numbers 35:1-8 provides the foundational instructions: "Command the Israelites to give the Levites cities to live in from the inheritance they will possess. You are also to give the Levites pasturelands around the cities" . This directive ensured that the Levites had places to reside and land to sustain their livestock, despite not having a territorial inheritance.
Purpose and FunctionThe Levitical cities served multiple purposes. Primarily, they were residential centers for the Levites, who were responsible for the spiritual leadership and religious education of the Israelites. The Levites acted as priests, teachers, and judges, and their presence throughout the land facilitated the dissemination of the Law and the maintenance of religious practices.
Additionally, six of these cities were designated as cities of refuge, as described in
Numbers 35:9-15. These cities provided asylum for individuals who had committed unintentional manslaughter, allowing them to escape the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted. The cities of refuge underscored the importance of justice and mercy within the Israelite legal system.
Distribution and NumberThe total number of Levitical cities was forty-eight, as specified in
Numbers 35:7: "The total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, with their corresponding pasturelands" . These cities were distributed among the territories of the other tribes, ensuring that the Levites were integrated throughout the nation. This distribution allowed the Levites to effectively carry out their duties and maintain a spiritual presence across Israel.
Tribal AllocationsThe allocation of Levitical cities among the tribes is detailed in
Joshua 21. Each tribe contributed a portion of its territory to accommodate the Levites. For example, the tribe of Judah, along with Simeon, provided cities such as Hebron, while the tribe of Ephraim offered Shechem. This arrangement not only fulfilled the divine command but also fostered a sense of unity and shared responsibility among the tribes.
Significance in Israelite SocietyLevitical cities were integral to the religious and social fabric of ancient Israel. They ensured that the Levites, who were tasked with upholding the spiritual and legal standards of the community, were present throughout the land. The cities also symbolized the Israelites' commitment to God's covenant, as they provided for those who served in His name.
In summary, the Levitical cities were a divinely ordained provision for the tribe of Levi, enabling them to fulfill their unique role within Israel. These cities facilitated the administration of justice, the teaching of the Law, and the performance of religious duties, thereby contributing to the spiritual and communal well-being of the nation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Leviticus 25:32,33Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time.
Torrey's Topical TextbookNumbers 35:7,8
So all the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall you give with their suburbs.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
... 34: 6); with allusions to theLevitical sprinklings God... feasts; so shall the waste
cities be filled... He blends together thedifferent kinds of parallelism as he...
Sources of the Pentateuch.
... of these Mosaic books is of a verydifferent sort from... doubt that one of the two
cities built by the... of division plainly showing between the twokinds of bricks...
Book 8 Footnotes
... it stood, to have been verydifferent atdifferent times... and planted trees in them
of allkinds of fruits... there appear to have ever been any suchcities on their...
Jeremiah
... Idolatry and immorality of allkinds continued to be... counsels the people to gather
in the fortifiedcities.... in this oracle is altogetherdifferent from what we...
Sundry Exhortations.
... on their way to destroy theCities of the... conscience by regulations as to various
kinds of food... The atmosphere is certainlydifferent from the democratic spirit...
The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees...
... the Pharisee from fear') mark variouskinds of unreality... with Epicurean maxims,
betokening a verydifferent state of... Avoiding the largecities as the centres of...
Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... representations of Scripture, made indifferent terms, the... Thecities of
refuge[412]"Kedesh, a holy... removing ceremonial defilement of variouskinds: and the...
The Synod of Jerusalem, and the Compromise Between Jewish and...
... suddenly lose the influence of oppositekinds of religious... even yet appears between
thedifferent branches of... parts of the ancientcities, circumcision exposed...
Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... Yea, not only theLevitical law and temple, but, as it seems to me, the... The twocities
Sion and Jerusalem, were such as sometimes set forth the two churches...
Resources
Does God killing people make Him a murderer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the strange flesh in Jude 1:7? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were the Dark Ages? | GotQuestions.orgCities: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
