351 Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho , saying , 2 "Command the sons of Israel that they give to the Levites from the inheritance of their possession cities to live in; and you shall give to the Levites pasture lands around the cities . 3 "The cities shall be theirs to live in; and their pasture lands shall be for their cattle and for their herds and for all their beasts . 4 "The pasture lands of the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits around . 5 "You shall also measure outside e 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 , with the city in the center . This shall become theirs as pasture lands for the cities . 6 "The cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge , which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two e cities . 7 "All the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty-eight e cities , together with their pasture lands . 8 " As for the cities which you shall give from the possession of the sons of Israel , you shall take more from the larger and you shall take less from the smaller ; each shall give some of his cities to the Levites in proportion to his possession which he inherits ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 35:1-8
Commentary on Numbers 35:1-8
(Read Numbers 35:1-8)
The cities of the priests and Levites were not only to accommodate them, but to place them, as religious teachers, in several parts of the land. For though the typical service of the tabernacle or temple was only in one place, the preaching of the word of God, and prayer and praise, were not thus confined. These cities were to be given out of each tribe. Each thus made a grateful acknowledgement to God. Each tribe had the benefit of the Levites dwelling amongst them, to teach them the knowledge of the Lord; thus no parts of the country were left to sit in darkness. The gospel provides that he who is taught in the word, should communicate to him that teaches, in all good things, Galatians 6:6. We are to free God's ministers from distracting cares, and to leave them at leisure for the duties of their station; so that they may be wholly employed therein, and avail themselves of every opportunity, by acts of kindness, to gain the good-will of the people, and to draw their attention.