Definition: And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, [shall reach] from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 35:4. It’s a really interesting piece of biblical law that focuses on how to distribute resources and give thanks to those who serve God. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse tells us that the people living around the edges of a city – specifically, the suburbs – are allowed to give a specific amount of land (about 1000 cubits) to the priests and Levites (a group of Jewish religious leaders). Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Numbers 35” : This refers to a specific section in the Old Testament Book of Numbers. It's important to know this context as it sets up the whole idea. “And the suburbs of the cities…” : This describes the area surrounding towns and cities. “…which ye shall give unto the Levites…” : This is the key part. The Levites are a group of priests and musicians who were responsible for leading worship and performing sacred duties in the temples. They were considered important to the community. “[shall reach] from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.” : This is where it gets a little more detailed: “from the wall of the city…” : This means they’re allowed to give land outside the walls of the city. “…and outward…” : This indicates that the giving should extend outwards, beyond the city limits. "...a thousand cubits round about." : “A cubit” was a unit of measurement in ancient times – roughly equivalent to 6 inches (about 18cm). So, “a thousand cubits round about” means they’re giving land around the perimeter of the city. What it's trying to say: This verse is essentially a way for the Israelites to show gratitude and respect to God for the services of those who help them, especially the priests and musicians. It acknowledges their importance in maintaining order and providing spiritual leadership. In short, this verse establishes a system where the people living near cities were allowed to give land as a gesture of thanks and hospitality. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Discuss the historical context (why might this have been important in ancient times)? Talk about the significance of the Levites within Jewish tradition?