Dictionary Article

Special areas set aside for the tribe of Levi in place of a regular territorial inheritance (Nm 18:20-24; 26:62; Dt 10:9; 18:1-2; Jos 18:7). The Levites were allotted 48 cities, including the six cities of refuge (Nm 35:6-7). Each town and a limited zone around it was for the Levites (vv 3-5); their property enjoyed a special status with regard to the laws of redemption (Lv 25:32-34).

Show passage in OET: NUM 18:20–24

OET-RV NUM 18:20

20 Yahweh also told Aharon (Aaron), “You priests won’t inherit any land or property—I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelis.

OET-RV NUM 18:21

21 For an inheritance for the Levites, I’ve given them all the tenths given by the Israelis as their inheritance in exchange for their service at the sacred tent.

OET-RV NUM 18:22

22 The other Israelis mustn’t approach that tent or they’ll incur guilt and die,

OET-RV NUM 18:23

23 but the Levites must serve at the sacred tent and they must bear their inadequacies. That order applies for all future generations, including the not inheriting any land like the other Israelis.

OET-RV NUM 18:24

24 That’s because I’ve given the Levites that tenth that the other Israelis offer to Yahweh as a donation. That’s why I said that they won’t receive any other inheritance.”

OET-LV NUM 18:20

20 And_ YHWH _he/it _said to ʼAhₐron in_land _of_their not you _will _have _an _inheritance and_a _share not it _will _belong to/for_yourself(m) among_them I share _of_am_your and_inheritance _of_your in _the_middle the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

OET-LV NUM 18:21

21 And_to_the _descendants _of Lēvī HERE I _give every _of tithe in_Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) for_an _inheritance in _return _for service _of_their which they are_serving DOM the _service _of the _tent _of meeting.

OET-LV NUM 18:22

22 And_not they _will _draw _near again the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) to the _tent _of meeting to_bear sin to_die.

OET-LV NUM 18:23

23 And_ the_Lēviyyiy[s] he _he _will _serve DOM the _service _of the _tent _of meeting and_they they _will _bear iniquity _of_their a _regulation _of perpetuity to_generations _of_your(pl) and_among _of the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) not they _will _inherit an _inheritance.

OET-LV NUM 18:24

24 If/because DOM the _tithe _of the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) which they _will _offer _up to/for_YHWH a _contribution I _give to_Lēviyyiy for_an _inheritance therefore yes/correct/thus/so I _have _said to/for_them in _the_middle the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) not they _will _inherit an _inheritance.

Show passage in OET: NUM 26:62

OET-RV NUM 26:62

62 The male Levites who were a month old or older came to 23,000, but they weren’t included in the above nation-wide count because they didn’t inherit land in the same way as other tribes.

OET-LV NUM 26:62

62 And_they _were their _enrolled _of_men three and_twenty thousand every _of male from_a _son _of a _month and_upward_upwards if/because not they _were _enrolled in _the_middle the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) if/because not it _was _given to/for_them an _inheritance in _the_middle the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

Show passage in OET: DEU 10:9

OET-RV DEU 10:9

9 That’s why the Levites didn’t receive land in the same way as the other tribes as Yahweh told them that he is their inheritance.

OET-LV DEU 10:9

9 Therefore yes/correct/thus/so not it _belongs to_Lēvī a _portion and_an _inheritance with brothers _of_his YHWH he inheritance _of_is_his just_as YHWH god _of_your he _spoke to_him/it.

Show passage in OET: DEU 18:1–2

OET-RV DEU 18:1

18 None of the Levites (including the priests) will receive any land as an inheritance like the other Israelis. Instead, the people’s offerings to Yahweh will be their inheritance to sustain them.

OET-RV DEU 18:2

2 Yes, unlike fellow Israelis, they won’t have any inherited land—Yahweh is their inheritance like he told them.

OET-LV DEU 18:1

18 Not it _will _belong to_priests the_Lēviyyiy all _of the _tribe _of Lēvī a _portion and_an _inheritance with Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) the _fire _offerings _of YHWH and_inheritance _of_his they_will _eat.

OET-LV DEU 18:2

2 And_an _inheritance not it _will _belong for_him/it in_the _midst _of countrymen _of_his YHWH he inheritance _of_is_his just_as he _spoke to_him/it.

Show passage in OET: JOS 18:7

OET-RV JOS 18:7

7 However, the Levites don’t receive a portion, because their inheritance is Yahweh’s priesthood. Gad and Re’uven and the Menasheh (Manasseh) half-tribe have already received their inheritance that Yahweh’s servant Mosheh (Moses) allocated to them on the eastern side of the Yarden (Jordan).

OET-LV JOS 18:7

7 If/because there_will _belong_not a _portion to_Lēviyyiy in_midst _of_your(pl) if/because is_the _priesthood _of YHWH inheritance _of_its and_Gād and_Rəʼūⱱēn and_the _half _of the _tribe _of (the)_Mənashsheh they _have _received inheritance _of_their from_the_other _side of_Yardēn/(Jordan) eastward_to which he _gave to/for_them Mosheh the _servant _of YHWH.

Show passage in OET: NUM 35:6–7

OET-RV NUM 35:6

6 The Levites must be given forty-two cities to live in, plus you all must designate six refuge cities so that if someone accidentally kills another, they can flee to the refuge city.

OET-RV NUM 35:7

7 That would make a total of forty-eight cities, plus their pasturelands, to be given to the Levites.

OET-LV NUM 35:6

6 And_DOM the_cities which you(pl)_will _give to_Lēviyyiy will _be_DOM the _six the _cities _of (the)_refuge which you(pl)_will _give to_flee to_(to) the_killer and_to_them you(pl)_will _give forty and_two citi[es].

OET-LV NUM 35:7

7 All _of the_cities which you(pl)_will _give to_Lēviyyiy will _be_forty and_eight citi[es] them and_DOM lands _of_their _pasture.

Show passage in OET: NUM 35:3–5

OET-RV NUM 35:3

3 The cities will be for them to live in, and that pastureland will be for their herds and their flocks, and for their other animals.

OET-RV NUM 35:4

4 The pastureland must extend out half a kilometre around the walls of the Levites cities.

OET-RV NUM 35:5

5 Then going out a kilometre in each compass direction, that will also be their land.

OET-LV NUM 35:3

3 And_they _will _be the_cities to/for_them to_dwell _in and_their _pasture _of_lands they _will _be for_cattle _of_their and_for_property _of_their and_to/for_all animal _of_their.

OET-LV NUM 35:4

4 And_the _pasture _lands _of the _cities which you(pl)_will _give to_Lēviyyiy will_be_from _the _wall _of the_city and_to_the_outside one _thousand cubit[s] all _around.

OET-LV NUM 35:5

5 And_you(pl)_will _measure from_the_outside of_city DOM the_side _of eastward two _thousand by_cubit and_DOM the_side _of the_south two _thousand by_cubit and_DOM the_side _of the_west two _thousand by_cubit and_DOM the_side _of the_north two _thousand by_cubit and_the_city will_in _the _middle this it _will _belong to/for_them the _pasture _lands _of the _cities.

Show passage in OET: LEV 25:32–34

OET-RV LEV 25:32

32 The Levites’ cities and houses will belong to them permanently—the Levites must always be able to buy them back,

OET-RV LEV 25:33

33 but even if they don’t buy them back, they must be returned in the restoration celebration year because the Levites’ houses are their only possession among the Israelis.

OET-RV LEV 25:34

34 In addition, they may not sell the pastureland around their cities because that’s their permanent possession.

OET-LV LEV 25:32

32 And_the _cities _of the _Lēviyyiy the _houses _of the _cities _of their _possession _of_their a _right _of _redemption _of perpetuity it _will _belong to_Lēviyyiy.

OET-LV LEV 25:33

33 And_which one _of the_Lēviyyiy he _will _redeem and_ the_sale _of the_house and_the _city _of his _possession _of_his _it _will _go _out in_jubilee if/because the _houses _of the _cities _of the _Lēviyyiy it possession _of_is_their in _the_middle the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

OET-LV LEV 25:34

34 And_the _field _of the _pasture _land _of their _cities _of_their not it _will _be _sold if/because is_a _possession _of perpetuity it to/for_them.

Jump to OET NUM 18:20–24 section.

Jump to OET NUM 26:62 section.

Jump to OET DEU 10:9 section.

Jump to OET DEU 18:1–2 section.

Jump to OET JOS 18:7 section.

Jump to OET NUM 35:6–7 section.

Jump to OET NUM 35:3–5 section.

Jump to OET LEV 25:32–34 section.

Two lists of the Levitical cities are given (Jos 21; 1 Chr 6:54-81). Thirteen towns were for the priests (Jos 21:4), including the six cities of refuge. In spite of some variation between the two lists, it seems clear that they go back to one original. The distribution of the Levitical towns tells much about their purpose. They were distributed among the 12 tribes but not usually placed at the tribal centers. Those in Judah and Simeon were actually in the southern hill country, the area where the satellite clans of the Calebites and the Kenizzites had settled. Those in Benjamin were grouped along the southern half of that tribe’s inheritance, the part later attached to Judah; the family of Saul was located there. Levitical towns were placed in border areas where garrisons were required—for example, on the eastern desert fringes in Reuben and facing Philistia in Dan. Other key territories were in the plains where Asher, Manasseh, and other Galilean tribes had originally failed to conquer the Canaanite cities (Jgs 1:27, 31 OET JDG 1:27 · OET JDG 1:31). Thus, the Levites were assigned places where the special task of controlling strategic areas was necessary. Many of the towns were not taken during the initial conquest and only came under Israelite control in the reign of David.

Show passage in OET: JOS 21:4

OET-RV JOS 21:4

4 The first draw went to those of the Kohat clans who were descendants of Aharon (Aaron) the priest (from the Levites). They were allocated thirteen cities in the regions occupied by Yehudah (Judah), Shim’on (Simeon), and Benyamin.

OET-LV JOS 21:4

4 And_ the_lot _he/it _went _out of_the _clans _of of_the _Qəhātite[s] and_he/it _was to_the _descendants _of ʼAhₐron the_priest/officer of the_Lēviyyiy from_the _tribe _of Yəhūdāh/(Judah) and_from_the _tribe _of the _Shimˊōnite[s] and_from_the _tribe _of Binyāmīn by_lot cities thir- teen.

Show passage in OET: JDG 1:27; JDG 1:31

OET-RV JDG 1:27

27 However Menasheh’s (Manasseh) descendants didn’t drive out those living in Beyt -Shean, Ta’anak, Dor, Yivleam, or Megidon, because the Kena’anim (Canaanites) were determined to keep living there.

OET-RV JDG 1:31

31 Asher’s descendants didn’t drive out those who were living in Ako, Tsidon (Sidon), Ahlav, Akziv, Helbah, Afek, or Rehov,

OET-LV JDG 1:27

27 And_not Mənashsheh it _took _possession _of DOM Bēyt Shan and_DOM daughters _of_its and_DOM Taˊₐnāk and_DOM daughters _of_its and_DOM the _inhabitants _of of _Dōr and_DOM daughters _of_its and_DOM the _inhabitants _of Yiⱱləˊām/(Ibleam) and_DOM daughters _of_its and_DOM the _inhabitants _of Məgiddōn and_DOM daughters _of_its and_ the_Kənaˊₐnī/(Canaanite)[s] _it _was _determined to_dwell on _the_earth (the)_this.

OET-LV JDG 1:31

31 ʼĀshēr not it _dispossessed DOM the _inhabitants _of ˊAkkō and_DOM the _inhabitants _of Tsīdōn/(Sidon) and_DOM ʼAḩlāⱱ and_DOM ʼAkzīⱱ and_DOM Ḩelbāh and_DOM ʼAfēq and_DOM Rəḩoⱱ.

Jump to OET JOS 21:4 section.

Jump to OET JDG 1:27 section. · OET JDG 1:31 section.

Though the Levites were not the exclusive residents of any one city (they shared them with other Israelites), they were posted there for specific duties. They tended to the work of the Lord and the service of the king (1 Chr 26:30-32). Collecting tithes (Nm 18:21; Dt 14:28), handling legal and judicial matters (1 Chr 26:29; 2 Chr 17:8; 19:8-10), military garrison duties (1 Chr 26:1-19), and managing the storehouses (v 22) were all Levitical responsibilities. Though they served by rotation in the capital (27:1), they also had similar duties the year round in their home districts (26:29-32). Their loyalty to the house of David caused them to lose their status in the northern kingdom, so most of them joined Judah when the kingdom was split (2 Chr 11:13-14).

Show passage in OET: CH1 26:30–32

OET-RV CH1 26:30

30 From Hevron’s descendants, Hashavyah and his relatives were responsible for all the work done for Yahweh and for the king in the area west of the Yarden (Jordan) river. There were 1,700 of them who were able to do their work well.

OET-RV CH1 26:31

31 According to the records of Hevron’s descendants, Yeriyah was their leader. (In the fortieth year of David’s reign, they’d searched in those records and discovered that there were powerful men in Yazer in Gilead.)

OET-RV CH1 26:32

32 Yeriyah had 2,700 relatives who were strong workers and leaders of their families. King David put them in charge of governing the tribes of Re’uven, Gad, and the eastern half of the tribe of Menasheh (Manasseh), to ensure that all the people did what God commanded and what the king told them to do.

OET-LV CH1 26:30

30 To_Ḩeⱱrōnite[s] Ḩₐshaⱱ^yāh and_relatives _of_his sons _of ability one _thousand and_seven hundred(s) were_over the _oversight _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) from_the_other _side of_Yardēn/(Jordan) westward_at to_all/each/any/every the _work _of YHWH and_to_the _service _of the _king.

OET-LV CH1 26:31

31 To_Ḩeⱱrōnite[s] Yəriy^yāh/(Jeriah) was_the_chief of_Ḩeⱱrōnite[s] to_generations _of_his of_fathers in_year of_the _forty of_(the)_reign of _Dāvid they _were _investigated and_it _was _found in/among_them mighty_men_of ability at_Yaˊzēr/(Jazer) of _Gilˊād.

OET-LV CH1 26:32

32 And_relatives _of_his were_sons _of ability two _thousand and_seven hundred(s) the _heads _of the _fathers and_he_appointed _them Dāvid the_king over the_Rəʼūⱱēnite[s] and_the_Gādī[s] and_the _half _of the _tribe _of the _Manassite[s] to/from_all/each/any/every (the)_matter _of the_ʼElohīm and _(the)_matter _of the _king.

Show passage in OET: NUM 18:21

OET-RV NUM 18:21

21 For an inheritance for the Levites, I’ve given them all the tenths given by the Israelis as their inheritance in exchange for their service at the sacred tent.

OET-LV NUM 18:21

Show passage in OET: DEU 14:28

OET-RV DEU 14:28

28 At the end of every third year, bring the tenth of all your produce for that year and store it in your town

OET-LV DEU 14:28

28 From_the_end _of three years you _will _bring _out DOM all _of the _tithe _of your _produce _of_your in_year the_that and_you _will _deposit_it in_gates _of_your.

Show passage in OET: CH1 26:29

OET-RV CH1 26:29

29 From Yitshar’s descendants, Kenanyah and his sons worked outside the temple area as officials and judges over Yisrael (Israel).

OET-LV CH1 26:29

29 To_Izharite[s] Kənan^yāh and_sons _of_his were_for_work (the)_outside over Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) to_officials and_to_judges.

Show passage in OET: CH2 17:8

OET-RV CH2 17:8

8 They were accompanied by the Levites Shemayah, Netanyah, Zevadyah, Asahel, Shemiramot, Yonatan (Jonathan), Adoniyah, Toviyah, and Tov-Adoniyah, along with two priests, Elishama and Yehoram (Jehoram).

OET-LV CH2 17:8

8 And_were_with_them the_Lēviyyiy Shəmaˊ^yāh and_Nətan^yāh and_Zəⱱad^yāh and_ˊAsāh^ʼēl and and_Yəhōnātān/(Jonathan) and_ʼAdoniy^yāh and_Ţōⱱiy^yāh and_good ʼₐdoniy^yāhū the_Lēviyyiy and_were_with_them ʼElīshāˊma and_Yəhōrām/(Jehoram) the_priests.

Show passage in OET: CH2 19:8–10

OET-RV CH2 19:8

8 Yehoshafat also appointed some Levites and priests in Yerushalem, as well as leaders from some Israeli families, to be judges on Yahweh’s behalf based in Yerushalem,

OET-RV CH2 19:9

9 and he instructed them, “You must revere Yahweh and be trustworthy and sincere.

OET-RV CH2 19:10

10 When any of your fellow Israelis who live in the cities bring any case to you involving violent crime, or interpreting laws or regulations, and so on, you must caution them so they won’t sin against Yahweh and induce his anger to come against you or them, so do that, and you won’t be guilty.

OET-LV CH2 19:8

8 And_also in_Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) Yəhōshāfāţ/(Jehoshaphat) he _appointed some _of the_Lēviyyiy and_the_priests and_some_of _the _heads _of the _fathers of_Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) for_the _judgement _of YHWH and_for_dispute[s] and_they _returned Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem).

OET-LV CH2 19:9

9 And_he/it _commanded to_them to_say thus you(pl)_will _do in_the _fear _of YHWH in_faithfulness and_with_a _heart complete.

OET-LV CH2 19:10

10 And_all case _at _law which it _will _come on_you(pl) from_brothers _of_your(pl) who_dwell in_cities _of_their between blood and_blood between law and_command and_regulations and_judgements and_you(pl)_will _warn DOM_them and_not they _will _be _guilty to/for_YHWH and_ severe _anger _it _was towards_you(pl) and_towards brothers _of_your(pl) thus you(pl)_will _do and_not you(pl)_will _be _guilty.

Show passage in OET: CH1 26:22

OET-RV CH1 26:22

22 Yehiel’s sons were Zetam and Yoel (Joel), and they were in charge of the storehouses in Yahweh’s temple.

OET-LV CH1 26:22

22 The _sons _of Yəḩī^ʼēli Zētām and_Yō^ʼēl/(Joel) his/its_brother were_over the _storehouses _of the _house _of YHWH.

Show passage in OET: CH1 27:1

OET-RV CH1 27:1

27 This is a list of the Israeli men who served the king in the army. Some were leaders of families, some were commanders of divisions of a thousand, some were commanders of divisions of a hundred, and some were other officers. There were twenty-four thousand men in each group, and each group served one month each year.

OET-LV CH1 27:1