LEVITICUS 25:32-34 ~ NOT FOR SALE: Levites' Cities and Suburbs

Welcome fellow travelers and God seekers.  It is a wonderful morning for a nice warm portion of manna … the Bread of Life, the Living Word.  Let’s get right to it.

We shared our last “meal” in Leviticus 25:29-31 … God given laws concerning the redemption of houses within walled cities.  You can click: here to review.


This morning we will see His beautiful provision for the Levites, the tribe of His assigned priests.  Also, His marvelous grace towards the children of Israel, to provide spiritual leadership for them.  Bless His heart.

LEVITICUS 25:32-34 ~ Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses of the cities in their possession, the Levites may redeem at any time.  And if a man purchase of the Levites, then the house that was sold and the city of his possession, shall go out in the Year of Jubilee; for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.  But the fields of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold, for it is their perpetual possession.

:32 ~ Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses of the cities of their possession, the Levites may redeem at any time.

The LORD had given specific cities to the Levites, descendants of Levi, His priests, as their inheritance.  The houses within those cities were divided among the Levites.

NOTE:  A city was defined as: a place guarded by waking or a watch.  This reminds us: of the importance of praying for our churches, ministers of the Gospel, their homes, and our schools ... we need to keep them under guard by a prayer watch!

To continue: none of the dwellings within the Levitical cities/towns could ever be sold permanently.  The LORD made provision for there always to be Levitical presence among the Israelites.  GOD, in His infinite Wisdom, knew that we will always need a Godly center of leadership.

So, all city property of Levites was redeemable at any time, period.  No one else was to settle in to one of their city dwellings for more than 49 years (not so long, back then) … the original owner, or any Levite (? they would all be kin), could come and buy it back, at any moment.  *NOTE: I will be interested to see: were the leases on these houses limited to other Levites?  or open to anyone?

:33 ~ And if a man purchase of the Levites, then the house that was sold and the city of his possession, shall go out (revert) in the Year of the Jubilee; for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.

If a Levite did not redeem his house within the 49 years after the sale, then the house would automatically revert back to the orignal owner on the 50th year, the Year of Jubilee.

The Levites had no possessions of their own, except the cities and suburbs.  They gave it all up to serve the LORD.  GOD told them and showed them, that they were under His Personal care and protection.  This reminds us that, today, maybe more than ever, Gospel ministry needs support and protection!

How assuring this is.  Even in our times, when so many of our “Levites,” our Christian spiritual leaders, and their houses, towns and cities are being persecuted all over the world.  GOD made it very clear, that He will never allow the take over and/or occupation of strangers stay in or on the land of His priests forever.  It WILL be returned, finally and completely, at the Great Jubilee.  Hallelujah!

*Fascinating side-NOTE: Israel, יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ in Hebrew, means:  "God strives," another name of Jacob and his descendants ... the word comes.from combining sarah and el ... yis·ra·'el.

34 ~ But the fields of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession. 

“Suburbs” … so this is where the name came from???  I never would have guessed this word was Biblical! 

HA!  Here is what I found: migrash  (mig-rawsh') a suburb: "i.e. open country where flocks are driven from pasture; hence, the area around a building, or the margin of the sea -- cast out, suburb."

Well, we still have sheep in our open pastures ... so I guess, we are officially in the, suburbs!  The picture above is very close to my house.  And sheep are driven through here!  Still shaking my head at the Biblical derivation!  Awesome!  GOD always shows us new things, in His Word!  His Living Word is old and new and always true!



The LORD gave the Levites these suburbs that were to reach two thousand cubits on every side of their cities: Numbers 35:5.  This open land was to be held in common, no one priest had a particular portion.  Fruit, produce, meat, clothing, materials, wood, water, everything from these fields was meant to be provision for the maintenance and sustenance of the LORD's priests.  The pastures also fed their livestock.  Therefore, these fields were never be withheld from the Levites, no matter what … forever.

But, for some reason, the houses inside the city or town could be sold to anyone?  I will be anxious to learn more! 

*NOTE: Biblos' Comparison of Bible Commentaries, on this study, starts here!  A very rich resource; just in case, you have room for more ... or get hungry later!  What an awesome Book is Leviticus!  Marvelous manna for today indeed!

Until we meet again,  Ke Akua pu a hui hou ~ God Bless you and see you later!

I am blessed every day

with some new revelation of God's Word.

I will be sharing my measure of manna

with all who come to my "tent."

Please, let me know if you have been blessed

by the way it was prepared for you this day.

 ~Shalom~