CONTINUING WITH THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION OF MASEI
CHAPTER 34
Numbers 34:1-29
Num 34:1 And יהוה spoke to Moses, to say, 2 Command את-the Sons of Israel, and you shall say to them, When you shall come to the land of Canaan; this is the land which she shall fall to you on an inheritance of the land of Canaan by her borders:
3 And the negeb (south) mouth (end) shall be to you from the Wilderness of Zin, upon the hand of Edom, and shall be to you a negeb (southern) border from the edge of the Sea of Salt, eastward: 4 and shall surround (circumvent, turn) to you the border from the negeb (south) to the ascent of Akrabbim [(to the Maaleh-Akrabbim)], and shall go over to Zin: and shall be his going out (exit) from the negeb (south) to Kadesh Barnea, and shall go out at Hazar Addar, and shall go over to Azmon: 5 And shall surround (circumvent, turn) the border from Azmon to the brook of Egypt, and shall be his going out (exit) to (at) the sea.
6 And a sea (west) border shall be to you the Great Sea: and this border shall be the sea (west) border to you.
7 And this shall be a hidden (north) border to you: from the Great Sea you shall mark off (designate, point out) to you Hor of the Mount [(Mount of the Hor, Mount Hor)]: 8 From Hor of the Mount [(Mount of the Hor, Mount Hor)], you shall mark off (designate, point out) to the coming of Hamath; and they shall be the going out (exit) of the border to Zedad: 9 And the border shall go out to Ziphron, and his going out (exit), they shall be at Hazar Enan: this shall be to you a hidden (north) border.
10 And you shall mark out to you for an east border from Hazar Enan to Shepham: 11 And the border shall descend (go down) from Shepham to Riblah, from the east of (by) the Ain; and the border shall descend (go down), and shall rub (wipe away, erase?) upon the upper arm corner (upper shoulder-arm, corner) at the Sea of Kinnereth eastward: 12 And the border shall descend (go down) to the Jordan, and they shall be his going out (exit) at the Salt Sea: This, she shall be to you, the land by her borders all around.
13 And Moses commanded את-the Sons of Israel, to say, This is the land which you shall inherit her among the lot which יהוה commanded to give to the nine tribes, and the half tribe: 14 for the tribe of the sons of Reubenites by the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the sons of Gadites by the house of their fathers, they have received, and the half tribe of Manasseh, they have taken (received) their inheritance: 15 the two tribes and the half tribe, they have taken (received) their inheritance from over by Jordan at Jericho [Jordan-Jericho)], eastward to (toward) the rayrisingward.
16 And יהוה spoke to Moses, to say, 17 These are the names of the men which they shall inherit את-the land for you: Eleazar, the Priest, and Joshua, son of Nun. 18 And you shall take one ruler, one ruler, from a tribe to inherit את-the land. 19 And these are the names of the men:
Of the tribe of Judah was Caleb, son of Jephunneh,
20 and of the tribe of the sons of Simeon was Shemuel, son of Ammihud.
21 Of the tribe of Benjamin was Elidad, son of Chislon,
22 and of the tribe of the sons of Dan, the ruler was Bukki, son of Jogli.
23 Of the sons of Joseph, of the tribe of the sons of Manasseh, the ruler was Hanniel, son of Ephod,
24 and of the tribe of the sons of Ephraim, the ruler was Kemuel, son of Shiphtan,
25 and of the tribe of the sons of Zebulun, the ruler was Elizaphan, son of Parnach,
26 and of the tribe of the sons of Issachar, the ruler was Paltiel, son of Azzan,
27 and of the tribe of the sons of Asher, the ruler was Ahihud, son of Shelomi,
28 and of the tribe of the sons of Naphtali, the ruler was Pedahel, son of Ammihud.
29 These are which יהוה commanded to inherit את-the sons of Israel, in the land of Canaan.
(NOTE: Not all verses will have comments)
Verses one through fifteen
1 And יהוה spoke to Moses, to say, 2 Command את-the Sons of Israel, and you shall say to them, When you shall come to the land of Canaan; this is the land which she shall fall to you on an inheritance of the land of Canaan by her borders:
3 And the negeb (south) mouth (end) shall be to you from the Wilderness of Zin, upon the hand of Edom, and shall be to you a negeb (southern) border from the edge of the Sea of Salt, eastward: 4 and shall surround (circumvent, turn) to you the border from the negeb (south) to the ascent of Akrabbim [(to the Maaleh-Akrabbim)], and shall go over to Zin: and shall be his going out (exit) from the negeb (south) to Kadesh Barnea, and shall go out at Hazar Addar, and shall go over to Azmon: 5 And shall surround (circumvent, turn) the border from Azmon to the brook of Egypt, and shall be his going out (exit) to (at) the sea.
6 And a sea (west) border shall be to you the Great Sea: and this border shall be the sea (west) border to you.
7 And this shall be a hidden (north) border to you: from the Great Sea you shall mark off (designate, point out) to you Hor of the Mount [(Mount of the Hor, Mount Hor)]: 8 From Hor of the Mount [(Mount of the Hor, Mount Hor)], you shall mark off (designate, point out) to the coming of Hamath; and they shall be the going out (exit) of the border to Zedad: 9 And the border shall go out to Ziphron, and his going out (exit), they shall be at Hazar Enan: this shall be to you a hidden (north) border.
10 And you shall mark out to you for an east border from Hazar Enan to Shepham: 11 And the border shall descend (go down) from Shepham to Riblah, from the east of (by) the Ain; and the border shall descend (go down), and shall rub (wipe away, erase?) upon the upper arm corner (upper shoulder-arm, corner) at the Sea of Kinnereth eastward: 12 And the border shall descend (go down) to the Jordan, and they shall be his going out (exit) at the Salt Sea: This, she shall be to you, the land by her borders all around.
13 And Moses commanded את-the Sons of Israel, to say, This is the land which you shall inherit her among the lot which יהוה commanded to give to the nine tribes, and the half tribe: 14 for the tribe of the sons of Reubenites by the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the sons of Gadites by the house of their fathers, they have received, and the half tribe of Manasseh, they have taken (received) their inheritance: 15 the two tribes and the half tribe, they have taken (received) their inheritance from over by Jordan at Jericho [Jordan-Jericho)], eastward to (toward) the rayrisingward.
This week's Torah portion passage can be compared to the account, which is noted in the book of the prophet Ezekiel
Ezekiel 47:13 Thus saith the Adonai hwhy; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit את-the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions. 14 And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance. 15 And this shall be the border of the land toward the hidden (north) side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad; 16 Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazarhatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran. 17 And the border from the sea shall be Hazarenan, the border of Damascus, and the hidden (north) hiddenward (northward), and the border of Hamath. And this is את the hidden (north) side. 18 And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel by Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And this is את the east side. 19 And the negeb (south) side rightward (southward), from Tamar even to the waters of strife in Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And this is את the right (south) side nebebward (southward). 20 The sea (west) side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This is the sea (west) side. 21 So shall ye divide את-this land unto you according to the Tribes of Israel. 22 And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget sons among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the Sons of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the Tribes of Israel. 23 And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Adonai יהוה.
This is a map of the borders of Israel that Moses stated in this week's Torah portion's chapter, and the comparison of the borders noted in Ezekiel chapter forty seven
It covered most of modern day Israel and about all of Beirut.
Looking at the following words:
MARK OFF (DESIGNATE, POINT OUT)
The Hebrew word for mark off (designate, point out) is "tah-ah"- Tav, Aleph, Heh (תאה). It is from Strong's Concordance number 8376, and its definition
A primitive root; to mark off, that is, (intensively) designate: - point out.
EXTEND (MARK OUT)
The Hebrew word for extend (mark out) is "ah-vah"- Aleph, Vav, Heh (אוה). It is from Strong's Concordance number 184, and its definition
A primitive root; to extend or mark out: - point out.
Notice the similarities in the Hebrew and in the English translations of these two words.
Verses sixteen through twenty nine
16 And יהוה spoke to Moses, to say, 17 These are the names of the men which they shall inherit את-the land for you: Eleazar, the Priest, and Joshua, son of Nun. 18 And you shall take one ruler, one ruler, from a tribe to inherit את-the land. 19 And these are the names of the men:
Of the tribe of Judah was Caleb, son of Jephunneh,
20 and of the tribe of the sons of Simeon was Shemuel, son of Ammihud.
21 Of the tribe of Benjamin was Elidad, son of Chislon,
22 and of the tribe of the sons of Dan, the ruler was Bukki, son of Jogli.
23 Of the sons of Joseph, of the tribe of the sons of Manasseh, the ruler was Hanniel, son of Ephod,
24 and of the tribe of the sons of Ephraim, the ruler was Kemuel, son of Shiphtan,
25 and of the tribe of the sons of Zebulun, the ruler was Elizaphan, son of Parnach,
26 and of the tribe of the sons of Issachar, the ruler was Paltiel, son of Azzan,
27 and of the tribe of the sons of Asher, the ruler was Ahihud, son of Shelomi,
28 and of the tribe of the sons of Naphtali, the ruler was Pedahel, son of Ammihud.
29 These are which יהוה commanded to inherit את-the sons of Israel, in the land of Canaan.
These are the rulers whom Eleazar, the Priest, and Joshua will be in charge of distributing the land by the leaders of every tribe.
These are the sons' names and their definitions (Note: Strong's Concordance numbers will be noted by an "S"):
THE SONS
JUDAH: Caleb (In Hebrew "Kaleyv" (כלב) S3611): Dog, yelp
SIMEON: Shemuel (In Hebrew "Sh'moo-eyl" (שמואל) S8050 [8085 + 410]): El hears
BENJAMIN: Elidad (In Hebrew "Eleedad" (אלידד) S449): El of love
DAN: Bukki (In Hebrew "Bookee" (בקי) S1231): Wasteful, empty, depopulate, spread out
OF JOSEPH: MANASSEH: Hanniel (In Hebrew "Khanee-eyl" (חניאל) S2592 [2603 + 410]): Favor of El
OF JOSEPH: EPHRAIM: Kemuel (In Hebrew "K'moo-eyl" (קמואל) S7055 [6965 + 410]): Raised of El
ZEBULUN: Elizaphan (In Hebrew "Elee-tsaphahn" (אליצפן) S469 [410 + 6845]): El of treasure
ISSACHAR: Paltiel (In Hebrew "Paltee-eyl" (פלטיאל) S6409 [6404 + 410]): Deliverance of El
ASHER: Ahihud (In Hebrew "Akhee-hood" (אחיהוד) S282 [251 + 1935]): Brother of renown
NAPHTALI: Pedahel (In Hebrew "P'dah-eyl" (פדהאל) S6300 [6299 + 410]): El has ransomed
These are the fathers' names and their definitions (Note: Strong's Concordance numbers will be noted by an "S"):
THE FATHERS
JUDAH: Jephunneh (In Hebrew "Y'phooneh" (יפנה) S3312): Prepare, respect, turn
SIMEON: Ammihud (In Hebrew "Amee-hood" (אמיהוד) S5989 [5971 + 1935]): People of splendor
BENJAMIN: Chislon (In Hebrew "Kees-lohn" (כסלון) S3692): Hopeful, fat, silly
DAN: Jogli (In Hebrew "Yaglee" (יגלי) S3020): Exile, reveal
OF JOSEPH: MANASSEH: Ephod (In Hebrew "Ey-phohd" (אפד) S641): Girdle, shoulder piece, image
OF JOSEPH: EPHRAIM: Shiphtan (In Hebrew "Sheeph-tahn" (שפטן) S8204): Judge
ZEBULUN: Parnach (In Hebrew "Parnakh" (פרנך) S6355): Unknown (Could be two different words; Par- bullock, and Nakh- struck, hence "a struck bullock")
ISSACHAR: Azzan (In Hebrew "ahz-zahn" (עזן) S5821): Strong one
ASHER: Shelomi (In Hebrew "Sh'oh-mee" (שלמי) S8015): Peaceable
NAPHTALI: Ammihud (In Hebrew "Ahmee-hood" (עמיהוד) S5989 [5971 + 1935]): People of splendor
Putting the definitions of each of the sons and fathers from each tribe together, they make phrases:
THE SONS AND FATHERS TOGETHER
JUDAH: A yelper of respect
This relates to Yeshua who was a big "yelper" against the Jewish leaders of the day, but is a respectful Person in righteousness and truth for those who believed in Him.
SIMEON: El hears the people of splendor
This is יהוה who hears His People of splendor, the Isrelites, as well as He, through Yeshua the Messiah, hears us, because we are His People of splendor, and as the Bride of the Messiah.
BENJAMIN: El of love for the hopeful
Throughout the Tanakh (Old Testament) and the Brith Khadashah (New Covenant), יהוה/Yeshua is Love, which the apostle John noted in his epistle
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that יהוה hath to us. hwhy is Love; and he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in יהוה, and יהוה in him.
He also gives love to His hopeful ones, both His heritage People, the Isarelites, as well as the people of the world, especially for those who are believers in the Messiah.
DAN: Spread out in exile
The Israelites, both the Lost Ten Northern Tribes (Known as the House of Ephraim, also known as Joseph, or Israel) and the Two Southern Tribes (the House of Judah) were spread out in exile, because of they disobeyed His Word, and part of the purpose of Yeshua's existence on the earth was to redeem them, as the "Redeemed and Renewed First Husband" for His Bride "the Israelites".
OF JOSEPH: MANASSEH: The favor of El is His Image
This is Yeshua manefested in the flesh revealing His Image to the people, while He was on the earth.
OF JOSEPH: EPHRAIM: Raised of El shall judge
This relates to Yeshua who was raised from the dead by the Heavenly Father on the day of First Fruits, during the days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, on the first day of the Biblical week (at sunset on Saturday night), and shall judge the people of the world at the end times.
ZEBULUN: El of treasure of a struck bullock
This relates to Yeshua, being the symbolic bullock, a domesticated animal, was sacrificed. Yeshua is also the symbolic Red Heifer who was crucified on the cross.
ISSACHAR: The deliverance of El is a strong one
This is Yeshua, who is "the Deliverer", who is "the Creator", and is the strength is His Father's Word.
ASHER: Brother of renown is peaceable
Yeshua is renown all over the world for about two thousand years, He is "the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6), and He is peacable in our hearts.
NAPHTALI: El has ransomed the people of splendor
This is also Yeshua who ransomed the People of splendor, the Israelites, as well as the people of the world, who receive Him as their Lord and Savior.
Question: "Where are the other two tribes, Reuben and Gad, and why were they not included in the roster"? Because Moses only noted the tribes who going over to inherit the land across the Jordan, which are noted in verses fourteen through seventeen of this week's Torah portion chapter
14 for the tribe of the sons of Reubenites by the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the sons of Gadites by the house of their fathers, they have received, and the half tribe of Manasseh, they have taken (received) their inheritance:... 16 And יהוה spoke to Moses, to say, 17 These are the names of the men which they shall inherit את-the land for you:...
These two and a half tribes had already received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan River, in their fulfillment of their agreement with Moses, which is noted in the Torah portion of Matoth, in the book of Numbers, and in the book of Joshua
Numbers 32:6 And Moses said to the sons of Gad, and to the sons of Reuben, That you our brothers [(The brothers of you)], shall they go to the war, and you, shall you dwell here?... 16 And they approached to him, and they said, We will build here inclosures (hedges) of flocks for our livestock, and cities for our little ones: 17 and we, we will equip (depart) hastily to the face of the Sons of Israel, until which but (if) we have brought them [(have them come)] to their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fortified (isolated, fenced, stronghold, restrained) cities from the face of the dwellers of the land. 18 We will not return to our houses, until the Sons of Israel has inherited a man his inheritance, 19 for we will not inherit with them with the going over by the Jordan, and the beyond; for our inheritance has come to us from going over the Jordan, to (towards) the rayrisingward. 20 And Moses said to them, If you will do את-this word, if you will equip (depart) to the Face of יהוה for the war, 21 and all to you equip (depart) shall go over את-the Jordan to the Face of יהוה, until את-His enemies have been disspossesed of him out from His Face, 22 and shall subdue (conquer) of her the land to the Face of יהוה: and afterward, you shall return, and you shall be guiltless (innocent) from יהוה, and from Israel; and this land, she shall be to yourselves for a seizing (holding) to the Face of יהוה,
23 and if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned to יהוה: and your sins, they shall know, which she shall find you out. 24 Build for yourselves cities for your little ones, and inclosures (hedges) for your flocks; and you shall do that goes out from your mouth. 25 And the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben said to Moses, to say, Your servants shall do as the which my lord (master) commands. 26 Our little ones, our wives, our livestock, and all of our animals, they shall be there in the cities of the Gilead: 27 and your servants, they shall go over, all equipped (departing) armed, to the Face of יהוה to the war, as the which my lord spoke.
Joshua 22:9 And the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the Sons of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of יהוה by the hand of Moses.
CHAPTER 35
Numbers 35:1-34
Num 35:1 And יהוה spoke to Moses in the going overs (plains) of Moab upon (over) Jordan at Jericho [(Jordan-Jericho)], to say, 2 Command את-the Sons of Israel, and they shall give to the Levites from the inheritance of their seizings (holdings) Cities to dwell; and the grazing lands by the Cities surrounding (all around) them, you shall give to the Levites, 3 and the Cities, they shall be for them to dwell; and their grazing lands, they shall be for their animals, and for their substances (goods), and for all of their beasts (living beasts, living ones). 4 And the grazing lands of the cities which you shall give to the Levites, from the wall of the City and outward (outgoing) shall be a thousand cubits all around, 5 and you shall measure from outside by the City to the east את-mouth (end) two thousand on the cubit, and to the negeb (south) את-mouth (end) two thousand on the cubit, and to the sea (west) את-mouth (end) two thousand on the cubit, andto the hidden (north) את mouth (end) two thousand on the cubit; and the City shall be in the midst: this shall be to them grazing lands of the Cities.
6 And את the Cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be את six Cities of the Refuge, which you shall give for the fleer there, the slayer: and you shall give upon them forty and two Cities. 7 All of the Cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight Cities: them, and את-their grazing lands, 8 and the Cities which you shall give from the seizing (holding) of the Sons of Israel: from את the multiple you shall multiply; and from את the few you shall diminish: a man according to [(as)] the mouth of his inheritance which they shall inherit shall give from his Cities to the Levites.
9 And יהוה spoke to Moses, to, 10 Speak to the Sons of Israel, and you shall say to them, When you go over את-the Jordan to the land of Canaan; 11 and you shall make befall to you Cities, they shall be to you Cities of Refuge (for Refuge); and the slayer from striking a soul in ignorance shall flee there. 12 And they shall be to you the Cities for Refuge from the avenger (revenger); and the slayer shall not die until he stands to the face of the Congregation for the judgment. 13 And the Cities which you shall give: six Cities of Refuge, they shall be to you. 14 את Three of the Cities you shall give from over by the Jordan, and את three of the Cities shall you shall give in the land of Canaan, they shall be Cities of Refuge. 15 To the Sons of Israel, and to the sojourner, and to the dweller (tenant) in their midst, they shall be these six Cities for refuge: for the fleeing there of anyone from striking a soul in ignorance.
16 And if has struck him on a vessel of iron an the death [(and dies)], he is a murderer. Dying, the murderer shall die,
17 and if on a stone at hand which shall die on her, strikes him and the death [(and dies)], he is a murderer. Dying, the murderer shall die.
18 or on a vessel of a tree (wood) at hand which shall die on him has struck him, and the death [(and dies)], he is a murderer. Dying, the murderer shall die.
19 The avenger (revenger) of the blood, he shall have die (execute) את-the murderer: he shall make him die [(execute him)] in his impinging against him.
20 And if has pushed him in hatred, or has thrown (had cast) upon him in laying of wait, and the death [(and dies)], 21 or in enmity has struck him on his hand and the death [(and dies)], dying, the striker shall die; he is a murderer: the avenger (revenger) of the blood shall have die (execute) את-the murderer in his impinging on him.
22 And if in a moment (instant, suddenness) on no emnity he pushed him, or threw (cast) any vessel upon him in not laying of wait, 23 or on any stone which shall die on her in not seeing, and shall fall upon him, and the death [(and dies)], and he was not an enemy to him, and was not with seeking (beseeching) his evil (evilness): 24 And the Congregation, they shall judge between the striker and between the avenger (revenger) of the blood upon these Judgments: 25 and the Congregation, they shall deliver את-the slayer from the hand of the avenger (revenger) of the blood, and the Congregation, they shall return him to the City of his Refuge which had fled there: and shall return in her until the death of the Great (High) Priest which was anointed him on the Sacred (Holy) Oil.
26 And if going out, the slayer shall go out of את-the border of the City of his Refuge which had fled there; 27 and the avenger (revenger) of the blood finds him from outside by the border of the City of his Refuge, and the avenger (revenger) of the blood slays את-the slayer; blood shall not be to him: 28 for was to dwell in the City of his Refuge until the death of the Great (High) Priest: and after the death of the Great (High) Priest, the slayer can return to the land of his seizing (holding). 29 And these, they shall be to you for a Statute of Judgment for your generations in all of your dwellings.
30 Anyone from striking a soul, by the mouth of witnessess shall slay את-the slayer: and one witness shall not eye-testify against a soul to the death. 31 And you shall not take a cover-ransom for the soul of a murderer, which he was wicked (guilty) to the death: for dying, shall die. 32 And you shall not take a cover-ransom to the fleeing [(for the fleer)] to the City of his Refuge, for the returning to the dwelling in the land, until the death of the Priest. 33 And you shall not corrupt (pollute, profane) את-the land which you are in her: for the blood, he corrupts (pollutes, profanes) את-the land: and for the land, shall not be cover-ransomed for the blood which was shed in her, for but on the blood shedded of him. 34 And you shall not make unclean [(shall not defile)] את-the land which you dwell in her which I tabernacle in her midst: for I, יהוה, am tabernacling in the midst of the Sons of Israel.
(NOTE: Not all verses will have comments)
Verses one through eight
And יהוה spoke to Moses in the going overs (plains) of Moab upon (over) Jordan at Jericho [(Jordan-Jericho)], to say, 2 Command את-the Sons of Israel, and they shall give to the Levites from the inheritance of their seizings (holdings) Cities to dwell; and the grazing lands by the Cities surrounding (all around) them, you shall give to the Levites, 3 and the Cities, they shall be for them to dwell; and their grazing lands, they shall be for their animals, and for their substances (goods), and for all of their beasts (living beasts, living ones). 4 And the grazing lands of the cities which you shall give to the Levites, from the wall of the City and outward (outgoing) shall be a thousand cubits all around, 5 and you shall measure from outside by the City to the east את-mouth (end) two thousand on the cubit, and to the negeb (south) את-mouth (end) two thousand on the cubit, and to the sea (west) את-mouth (end) two thousand on the cubit, andto the hidden (north) את mouth (end) two thousand on the cubit; and the City shall be in the midst: this shall be to them grazing lands of the Cities.
6 And את the Cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be את six Cities of the Refuge, which you shall give for the fleer there, the slayer: and you shall give upon them forty and two Cities. 7 All of the Cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight Cities: them, and את-their grazing lands, 8 and the Cities which you shall give from the seizing (holding) of the Sons of Israel: from את the multiple you shall multiply; and from את the few you shall diminish: a man according to [(as)] the mouth of his inheritance which they shall inherit shall give from his Cities to the Levites.
Each of the forty eight citities the Levites were to occupy would include 2,000 cubits of the length of each side of the city walls.
These are the measurements relating to the Levitical city:
1 mile = 5,280 feet
1 cubit = 1.5 feet, or 18 inches
2,000 cubits x 1.5 feet = 3000 feet
3,000 feet / 5,280 feet = about .57 miles
This calculated the Levitical grazing land distance to just over a half a mile
Looking at the word GRAZING
The Hebrew word for grazing is "mee-grash"- Mem, Gimel, Resh, Shin (מגרש). It is from Strong's Concordance number 4054, and its definition
From H1644; a suburb (that is, open country whither flocks are driven for pasture); hence the area around a building, or the margin of the sea: - cast out, suburb.
from 1644 "gah-rash" (גרש), and its definition
A primitive root; to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce: - cast up (out), divorced (woman), drive away (forth, out), expel, X surely put away, trouble, thrust out.
This is where we get our modern englis word "grass" and "graze".
Verses nine through twenty nine
These were the jails of ancient times, but they were mainly for those who didn't intend to kill anyone.
About all of the Cities of Refuge are noted in the book of Joshua. Thsese are the locations of the cities mentioned in the book of Joshua: (Note: they are colored coded for the different Levitical tribes, the twelve tribes which gave the cities, and the Cities of Refuge):
KEY
YELLOW: The sons of Aaron, the tribal cities the grazing areas were alotted to, and the grazing areas they obtained.
GREEN: The sons of Kohath, the tribeal cities they were alotted to, and the grazing areas they obtained.
RED: The sons of Gershon, the tribal cities they were alotted to, and the grazing areas they obtained.
BLUE: The sons of Merari, the tribal cities they were alotted to, and the grazing areas they obtained.
PUPRLE: The places of the Cities of Refuge.
About all of the cities of refuge are noted in the book of Joshua
Joshua 21:1 Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar, the Priest, and unto Joshua, son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the Sons of Israel; 2 And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, יהוה commanded by the hand of Moses to give us Cities to dwell in, with the grazing areas thereof for our cattle. 3 And the Sons of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the Commandment of את ,יהוה-these Cities and את-their grazing areas.
4 And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the sons of Aaron, the Priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot from the tribe of Judah, and from the tribe of Simeon, and from the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen Cities.
5 And the rest of the sons of Kohath had by lot out from families from tribe of Ephraim, and from the tribe of Dan, and from the half tribe of Manasseh, ten Cities.
6 And the sons of Gershon had by lot out from families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen Cities.
7 The sons of Merari by their families had out from tribe of Reuben, and out from tribe of Gad, and out from tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. 8 And the Sons of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites את-these Cities with את-their suburbs, as יהוה commanded by the hand of Moses.
9 And they gave from the tribe of the sons of Judah, and from the tribe of the sons of Simeon, את these Cities which are here mentioned by name, 10 Which the sons of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the sons of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot. 11 And they gave them את-the City of Arba, father of Anak, which is the city Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with את-the suburbs thereof round about it. 12 But את-the fields of the City, and את-the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb, son of Jephunneh, for his possession.
13 Thus they gave to the sons of Aaron, the Priest, את-Hebron with את-her grazing areas, to be את-a City of Refuge for the slayer; and את-Libnah with את-her grazing areas, 14 And את-Jattir with את-her suburbs, and את-Eshtemoa with את-her grazing areas, 15 And את-Holon with את-her suburbs, and את-Debir with את-her grazing areas, 16 And את-Ain with את-her suburbs, and את-Juttah with את-her grazing areas, and את-Bethshemesh with את-her grazing areas; nine Cities from את those two tribes.
17 And from the tribe of Benjamin, את-Gibeon with את-her grazing areas, את-Geba with את-her grazing areas, 18 את-Anathoth with את-her grazing areas, and את-Almon with את-her grazing areas; four Cities. 19 All the Cities of the sons of Aaron, the Priests, were thirteen Cities with their grazing areas.
20 And the families of the sons of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the sons of Kohath, even they had the Cities of their lot out from the tribe of Ephraim. 21 For they gave them את-Shechem with את-her grazing areas in Mount Ephraim, to be את-a City of Refuge for the slayer; and את-Gezer with את-her grazing areas, 22 And את-Kibzaim with את-her grazing areas, and את-Bethhoron with את-her grazing areas; four Cities.
23 And from the tribe of Dan, את-Eltekeh with את-her grazing areas, את-Gibbethon with את-her grazing areas, 24 את-Aijalon with את-her grazing areas, את-Gathrimmon with את-her grazing areas; four Cities.
25 And from the half tribe of Manasseh, את-Tanach with את-her grazing areas, and את-Gathrimmon with את-her grazing areas; two Cities. 26 All of the Cities were ten with their grazing areas for the families of the sons of Kohath that remained.
27 And unto the sons of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, from the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave את-Golan in Bashan with את-her grazing areas, to be את-a City of Refuge for the slayer; and את-Beeshterah with את-her grazing areas; two Cities.
28 And from the tribe of Issachar, את-Kishon with את-her grazing areas, את-Dabareh with את-her grazing areas, 29 את-Jarmuth with את-her grazing areas, את-Engannim with את-her grazing areas; four Cities.
30 And from the tribe of Asher, את-Mishal with את-her grazing areas, את-Abdon with את-her grazing areas, 31 את-Helkath with את-her grazing areas, and את-Rehob with את-her suburbs; four Cities.
32 And from the tribe of Naphtali, את-Kedesh in Galilee with את-her suburbs, to be את-a City of Refuge for the slayer; and את-Hammothdor with את-her suburbs, and את-Kartan with את-her grazing areas; three Cities. 33 All of the Cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen Cities with their grazing areas.
34 And unto the families of the sons of Merari, the rest of the Levites, from את the tribe of Zebulun, את-Jokneam with את-her grazing areas, and את-Kartah with את-her grazing areas, 35 את-Dimnah with את-her grazing areas, את-Nahalal with את-her grazing areas; four Cities.
36 And from the tribe of Reuben, את-Bezer with את-her grazing areas, and את-Jahazah with את-her grazing areas, 37 את-Kedemoth with את-her grazing areas, and את-Mephaath with את-her grazing areas; four cities.
38 And from the tribe of Gad, את-Ramoth in Gilead with את-her grazing areas, to be את-a City of Refuge for the slayer; and את-Mahanaim with את-her grazing areas, 39 את-Heshbon with את-her grazing areas, את-Jazer with ta-her grazing areas; four Cities in all. 40 All of the Cities for the sons of Merari by their families, which were remaining of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities.
41 All of the cities of the Levites within the inheritance of the Sons of Israel were forty and eight Cities with their grazing areas. 42 These Cities were every one with their grazing areas all around them: thus were all of these cities.
There are 112 Aleph-Tavs found in this Joshua passage. If you include the last few verses of this Joshua chapter not included, there are a total of 114 Aleph-Tavs. This chapter has the most Aleph-Tavs of any chapter outside of the Torah, and it is based on the Levitical cities. יהוה made it very important to emphasize the Aleph-Tavs here. Yeshua is the Aleph-Tav, and He is most emphasized in this issue, because He is a descendant of the High Priestly Levitical line of Aaron via his Aaronite mother, Mary.
Notice that there are only five Cities of Refuge noted in this week's Torah portion chapter. So why wasn't the sixth City of Refuge noted here, and what was the sixth City of Refuge? It is noted in the Torah portion of Va'Ethkhanan, in the book of Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 4:41 Then Moses separated (distinguished) three cities in over the Jordan at the rayrising of the sun; 42 for the slayer fleeing there which slayed את-his neighbor in failing at knowing, and he was not at hatred to him from yesterday, three; and shall flee to one of these cities and shall live [(and the life)]: 43 את-Bezer in the wilderness in the leveled area (leveled plain area) land of the Reubenites; and את-Ramoth in the Gilead of the Gadites; and את-Golan in the Bashan of the Manassites.
The sixth City of Refuge was Bezer, located in the eastern side of the Jordan River.
Below are a couple of maps showing the Levitical cities and their cities of refuge. Both maps showing the Cities of Refuge are marked in red.
Mark Biltz of El Shaddai Ministries noted that the locations of these Ciites of Refuges relate to each of Jacob's wives in their separate borders based on six of their sons' tribal locations. This is a map on how Jacob's wives were situated based on these Cities of Refuges
This list contain the meanings of each of the cities' names, using the same color key representing each of the Levitical families (Note: Strong's Concordance numbers will be noted by an "S"):
THE SONS OF AARON
OF JUDAH AND SIMEON
Hebron (In Hebrew "Khevrohn" (חברון) S2275): Seat of association, society, charmer, company, join
Libnah (In Hebrew "Leevnah" (לבנה) S3841): Whitish
Jattir (In Hebrew "Yat-teer" (יתר) S3492): Redundant, excel, to be remain or left
Eshtemoa (In Hebrew "Esh-t'mo-ah" (אשתמע) S851): To hear intelligently, obedience
Holon (In Hebrew "Kholohn" (חלן) S2473): Sandy
Debir (In Hebrew "D'veer" (בדר) S1688): The shrine of the innermost part of the sanctuary, arrange, speak, subdue
Ayin (In Hebrew "Ah-yeen" (עין) S5871): Fountain
Juttah (In Hebrew "Yootah" (יטה) S3194): Extended
Beth Shemesh (In Hebrew "Beyth Shemesh" (בית שמש) S1053): House of the sun
OF BENJAMIN
Gibeon (In Hebrew "Geev-ohn" (גבעון) S1391): Hilly
Geba (In Hebrew "Geva" (גבע) S1387): A hillock
Anathoth (In Hebrew "Anathoth" (ענתות) S6068): Answers
Almon (In Hebrew "Almohn" (עלמון) S5960): Hidden
THE SONS OF KOHATH
OF EPHRAIM
Shechem (In Hebrew "Sh'khehm" (שכם) S7927): Ridge, neck, shoulder
Gezer (In Hebrew "Gehzehr" (גזר) S1507): Something cut off, a portion
Kibzaim (In Hebrew "Keev-tsa-yeem" (קבצים) S6911): Double heap
Beth Horon (In Hebrew "Beyth Khorohn" (בית חרון) S1302): House of hollowness
OF DAN
Eltekeh (In Hebrew "Ehl-t'key" (אלתקא) S514): [From Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible] Meeting place
Gibbethon (In Hebrew "Geeb-b'thohn" (גבתון) S1405): A hilly spot
Aijalon (In Hebrew "Ai-yalohn" (אילון) S357): Deer-field
Gath Rimmon (In Hebrew "Gath Reemohn" (גת רמון) S1667): Wine-press of the pomegranate
OF THE HALF TRIBE OF MANASSEH
Tanach (In Hebrew "Ta-nakh" (תענך) S8590): (Unknown)
Gath Rimmon (In Hebrew "Gath Reemohn" (גת רמון) S1667): Wine-press of the pomegranate
THE SONS OF GERSHON
OF THE HALF TRIBE OF MANASSEH
Golan (In Hebrew "Golahn" (גלון) S1474): Captive, exile
Beeshterah (In Hebrew "B'esh-t'rah" (בעשתרה) S1203): With Ashtoreth (increase)
OF ISSACHAR
Kishon (In Hebrew "Keesh-yohn" (קשיון) S7191): Hard ground
Dabareh (In Hebrew "Davrath" (דברת) S1705): Word
Jarmuth (In Hebrew "Yarmooth" (ירמות) S3142): Elevation
En Gannim (In Hebrew "Eyn Gahn-neem" (עין גנים) S5873): Fountain of gardens
OF ASHER
Mishal (In Hebrew "Meesh-ahl" (משאל) S4861): Request
Abdon (In Hebrew "Ahv-dohn" (אבדון) S5658): Servitude
Helkath (In Hebrew "Khel-kath" (חלקת) S2520): Smoothness
Rehob (In Hebrew "R'khohv" (רחב) S7340): A width, avenue or area, broad
OF NAPHTALI
Kedesh (In Hebrew "Kedesh" (קדש) S6943): Sanctum (or clean) of circle (turning, round), defiled circle
Hammoth Dor (In Hebrew "Khamoth Dohr" (חמת דאר) S2576): Hot springs of dwelling (generation)
Kartan (In Hebrew "Kartahn" (Ntrq) S7178): City-plot
THE SONS OF MERARI
OF ZEBULUN
Jokneam (In Hebrew "Yak-n'ahm" (יקנעם) S3362): People will be lamented
Kartah (In Hebrew "Kahr-tah" (קרתה) S7177): City
Dimnah (In Hebrew "Deemnah" (דמנה) S1829): Dung heap (this is where we get our English word "damn" from)
Nahalal (In Hebrew "Na-halal" (נהלל) S5096): Pasture
OF REUBEN
Bezer (In Hebrew "Betsehr" (בצר) S1221): Clipping, cut off, fenced, fortify, gold (as dug out)
Jahazah (In Hebrew "Yah-tsah" (יהצה) S3096): Perhaps threshing-floor
Kedemoth (In Hebrew "K'dey-moth" (קדמות) S6932): Beginnings
Mephaath (In Hebrew "Mey-pha-ath" (מיפעת) S4158): Illuminative, shine
OF GAD
Ramoth Gilead (In Hebrew "Ramoth" (רמת) S7433): Heights
Mahanaim (In Hebrew "Ma-khana-yeem (מחנים) S4266): Double camp
Heshbon (In Hebrew "Khesh-bohn" (חשבון) S2809): Contrivance, intelligence, think, regard
Jazer (In Hebrew "Ya-zeyr" (יעזר) S3270): Helpful
These are the names of the cities of refuge and their definitions mentioned above:
Hebron: Seat of association, society, spell, join, fascinate, charmer
Shechem: Ridge, neck, shoulder
Golan: Captive, exile
Kedesh of Galilee: Sanctum (or clean) of circle (turning, round), Holy circle
Bezer: Clipping, cut off, fenced, fortify, gold (as dug out)
Ramoth: Heights/high place
These names of the cities of refuge creates a story:
A society was upon His Shoulder, who was captive and exiled, but to sanctify them He had to be cut off at the heights/high place.
The meanings of the names of these Cities of Refuge tell a prophetic story of Yeshua going into Jerusalem on the tenth day of the first Biblical month of Aviv/Nissan, then is captured at the Garden of Gethsemene on the fourteenth day of Aviv/Nissan on the night of Passover, was taken captive in Jerusalem, and then was sent by the involvement of the Jews and the Roman authorities (the society) to be crucified (cut off) at the Mount of Olives (heights/high place), during the daytime on the same Passover day, in which he bears the sins of the Israelite society and the world upon His "Shoulders" to "sanctify them" through His death and resurrection, which included the Lost Ten Northern Tribes of Israel who were exiled, and the Southern House of Judah who are in captivity still within themselves. It is Yeshua's fulfillment of the Israelites' Exodus story, which is noted in the Torah portion Bo, in the book of Exodus
Exodus 12:1 And יהוה spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, to say, 2 This renewed month shall be to you the head of renewed months: he shall be to you the first for the renewed months of the Year. 3 Speak to all of the Congregation of Israel, to say, On the ten of this renewed month, and they shall take a man for themselves a lamb for a house of their father, a lamb for the house: 4 And if the household shall be little with being with the lamb, and he and his tabernacler (inhabitor) that is near [(, the one near)] to his house shall take on the enumeration (number, assessment) of the souls; You shall count (assess) upon the lamb a man by the mouth of his eating. 5 A lamb shall be a perfect (complete) remembered one (male) of a son of a year: shall be for yourselves from the sheep, and you shall take from the kids (young goats): 6 And shall be for you to guard (observe, heed) until the four ten (fourteen) day of (for) this renewed month: and all of the Assembly of the Congregation of Israel, they shall slaughter him between the mixing periods. 7 And they shall take from the blood and they shall give him upon the two side posts, and upon the upper door post (lentil) upon the houses which they shall eat him in them.
Yeshua came in to the city of Jerusalem four days before the Passover, which is noted in the Gospel of John
John 12:12 On the next day [10th day of Aviv/Nissan] much People that were come to the Feast, when they heard that Yeshua was coming to Jerusalem, 13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the Name of יהוה.
14 And Yeshua, when He had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. 16 These things understood not His disciples at the first: but when Yeshua was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
This become the annual Spring High Holy Day of Passover, noted in the Torah portion of Emor, in the book of Leviticus
Leviticus 23:5 In the first renewed month, on the four ten (fourteen) of the renewed month, between the mixing periods (evenings), is the Passover to יהוה.
Yeshua became our Passover sacrifice, which the apostle Paul noted in his letter to the assembly in Corinth
1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Messiah, our Passover is sacrificed for us:
!!!!!כבד לך יהוה
Indirectly related, King David noted יהוה being his Refuge which is noted in the book of the Psalms
Psalms 46:1 To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. Elohim is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalms 46:7 יהוה of Armies (Hosts) is with us; the Elohim of Jacob is our Refuge. Selah.
Psalms 46:11 יהוה of Armies (Hosts) is with us; the Elohim of Jacob is our Refuge. Selah.
Verse twenty five
25 and the Congregation, they shall deliver את-the slayer from the hand of the avenger (revenger) of the blood, and the Congregation, they shall return him to the City of his Refuge which had fled there: and shall return in her until the death of the Great (High) Priest which was anointed him on the Sacred (Holy) Oil.
Mark Biltz of El Shaddai Ministries displayed a chart of the amount of High Priests to the years of certain periods of time:
From the time of Moses to the time of Solomon's Temple erected:
612 years / 13 High Priest = 47 years average
From the time of Solomon's Temple to the time of the destruction of Solomon's Temple:
466.5 years / 18 High Priests = 25.9 years average
Mark Biltz noted that those innocent manslayers who went to the Cities of Refuge hoped that the High Priests were about to die, so that they wouldn't be there for a long time.
Verses twenty eight and twenty nine
28 for was to dwell in the City of his Refuge until the death of the Great (High) Priest: and after the death of the Great (High) Priest, the slayer can return to the land of his seizing (holding). 29 And these, they shall be to you for a Statute of Judgment for your generations in all of your dwellings.
As I commented multiple times in previous certain Torah portions, Yeshua became the last physical legitimite High Priest on earth before He was crucified. In the application to this week's Torah portion passage, when Yeshua died, He became the last legitimate physical High Priest to die for all of the slayers of Israel. Now He has became the Savior for ALL slayers. There have been many examples of that in recent times. One of the most well known is Nicki Cruz, who was portrayed by Eric Estrada with Pat Boone playing David Wilkerson in "The Cross and the Switchblade".
Indirectly realted, Yeshua also followed this week's Torah portion chapter, and a scenario could have occurred, which could have been based in the Gospels of Matthew and John
Matthew 26:51 And, behold, one of them which were with Yeshua stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the High Priest's, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Yeshua unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
John 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the High Priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. 11 Then said Yeshua unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Based on this week's Torah portion chapter, if this is correct, Yeshua knew that if this servant could have potentially died, Peter would have had to escape to one of the Cities of Refuge, but would have been tried and be killed by the relative, would could have been the potential avenger of blood, which is noted in the Gospel of John
John 18:26 One of the servants of the High Priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with Him? 27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
This servant of the High Priest who relative's ear Peter cut off, and died, could have been the avenger of blood, and could have killed Peter by right according the Torah.
Mark Biltz of El Shaddai Ministries displayed the chart of the High Priests between between Aaron as the first High Priest and Solomon's Temple, and between Solomon's Temple to the Temple's destruction resulting in the Babylonian Captivity
The average life of a High Priest was much longer to Solomon's Temple, than from Solomon's Temple to Babylonian Captivity, which means that those who sent to one of the Cities of Refuge hoped that the High Priest didn't have long to live.
From 37BC and 70 AD, about 107 years, there were twenty eight High Priests, and the average of the timeline of the life of each High Priest was 3.8 years, which is shown in Mark Biltz's other chart
Mark also noted that the High Priesthood position was bought out, and they kicked out the previous High Priest. That means that the previous High Priests during the 107 year timeline did not die, and for the Commandment for those who are in the Cities of Refuge, as long as the High Priesthood was bought and causing the previous High Priest to be kicked out while alive, they were guaranteed to die while in refuge. Don't think that Yeshua didn't know this Commandment. It was right for Yeshua to take over the High Priesthood, so that He could die for the sins of the world, and to fulfill the Commandment for the High Priest to die.
This week's Torah portion passage could be a basis of Yeshua's death as the High Priest for those who are and were in the Cities of Refuge who should have been set free, which is noted in the Gospel of John
Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour, Yeshua cried with a Loud Voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My El, my El, why hast thou forsaken me? 47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This Man calleth for Elias. 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink. 49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save Him. 50 Yeshua, when He had cried again with a Loud Voice, yielded up the Spirit. 51 And, behold, the veil of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after His Resurrection, and went into the Holy City, and appeared unto many.
Also, one can also say that Yeshua, the Messiah, is our City of Refuge when we as believers accepted Him as our Savior and Lord and now lives in our hearts.
!!!!!כבד לך יהוה
Today, instead of Cities of Refuge, we have jails. We do not have a legitimite High Priest on earth, but the government. If we went by the Torah in this matter today, none of those who are in jail for killing someone will be let out, because Yeshua is our Eternal High Priest today, and He is never going to die again.
There was a true story of a woman from Texas years ago that was sent to jail and was put on death row for murdering a woman with an axe while her husband was having an affair. While in jail, she found the Messiah via a ministry, and the man that led her to the Messiah later married her. She became a completely changed person and worshiped Messiah with all of her heart. Her husband appealed her execution to the governor in Texas, who at the time was George W. Bush. On the day of the execution, Governor Bush refused to stay the execution, and they put her to death. A Christian company made a movie about it.
In my opinion, Bush, a believer himself, showed no compassion in her case. Even if former governor Bush could have given her a chance to live, did this Torah segment apply to her, because she killed a person on purpose? I will end it on that question.
Verse thirty three
33 And you shall not corrupt (pollute, profane) את-the land which you are in her: for the blood, he corrupts (pollutes, profanes) את-the land: and for the land, shall not be cover-ransomed for the blood which was shed in her, for but on the blood shedded of him.
This began with the first shedding of blood shedded on the ground, which is noted in the Torah portion of B'reyshith, in the book of Genesis
Genesis 4:8 And Cain was saying (talking?) to Abel his brother: and was, in their being in the field, and Cain rose up to Abel his brother, and killed him. 9 And יהוה said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And said, I do not know: Am I the guardian (keeper, observer, heeder) of my brother? 10 And said, What have you done? The voice of the blood (bloods?) of your brother cries to me from the Ground. 11 And now, cursed are you from the Ground which hath opened her את-her mouth to receive את-the blood (bloods?) of your brother from your hand; 12 When you serve (till) את-the Ground, she shall not add at giving her strength to you; you shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the Earth.
Because Cain defiled the earth with Abel's blood, יהוה punished Cain with the earth not providing him with food.
CHAPTER 36
Numbers 36:1-13
Num 36:1 And came near the heads of the fathers of the families of the sons of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the families of the sons of Joseph, and they spoke to the face of Moses, and to the face of the Rulers, the Heads of the Fathers of the Sons of Israel: 2 and they said, יהוה commanded את-my lord to give את-the land among an inheritance on the lot to the Sons of Israel: and my lord (master) was commanded on יהוה to give את-the inheritance of Zelophehad, our brother, to his daughters. 3 And they shall be to one from the sons of the tribes of the Sons of Israel for wives, and their inheritance shall be scraped away (shaved away, removed) from the inheritance of our fathers, and shall be added upon the inheritance of the tribe which they shall belong to them: and our inheritance from the lot shall be scraped away (shaved away, removed). 4 And if the Jubilee shall be to the Sons of Israel, and their inheritance shall be added upon the inheritance of the tribe which they shall belong to them: and from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers, their inheritance shall be scraped away (shaved away, removed).
5 And Moses commanded את-the Sons of Israel upon (over) the Mouth of יהוה, to say, Thus, the tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks. 6 This is the Word which יהוה commanded to the daughters of Zelophehad, to say, For the goodness in their eyes, they shall surely (only) be wives [be wives only (surely)] to the family of the tribe of their father, they shall be for wives. 7 And she shall not circumvent (revolve) the inheritance of the Sons of Israel from tribe to tribe: for a man of the Sons of Israel shall cling on the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers, 8 and any daughter possessing an inheritance from the tribes of the Sons of Israel, she shall be for a wife to one from the families of the tribe of her father, by that, the Sons of Israel, they shall possess a man an inheritance of his fathers. 9 and she shall not circumvent (revolve) the inheritance from a tribe to another tribe, for the tribes of the Sons of Israel, they shall cling a man on his inheritance.
10 As the which יהוה commanded את-Moses, so the daughters of Zelophehad, they did: 11 And Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, they were for wives to the sons of their uncles (father brothers): 12 they were for wives with the families of the sons of Manasseh, son of Joseph. and she was their inheritance upon (over) the tribe of the family of their father. 13 These are the Commandments and the Judgments, which יהוה commanded on the hand of Moses to the Sons of Israel, in the plains (going overs) of Moab, upon Jordan at Jericho [(Jordan-Jericho)].
(NOTE: Not all verses will have comments)
This was "Part Two" on the saga of the daughters of Zelophehad entitled, "The Inter-Tribal Marriage Case", which is noted from the Torah portion Pinkhas, in the book of Numbers
Numbers 27:1 And the daughters of Zelophehad, son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, of the family of Manasseh, son of Joseph, they came near: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 And they stood to the face of Moses, and to the face of Eleazar, the Priest, and to the face of the Rulers and all of the Congregation, at the Entrance of the Tent of Appointment, to say, 3 Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the midst of the Congregation that were appointed upon (over) יהוה in the congregation of Korah; for had died in his sin, and there were no sons to him. 4 To why should the name of our father be scraped away (shaved away) from the midst of his family, for was not to him a son?! Give of her to us a seizing (holding) among the midst of the brothers of our father. 5 And Moses drew near את-their charge (cause, custom issue) to the Face of יהוה.
6 And יהוה spoke to Moses, to say, 7 Thus the daughters of Zelophehad have spoken: Giving, you shall give to them a seizing (holding) of an inheritance in the midst of the brothers of their father; and you shall have את-the inheritance of their father go over to them. 8 And you shall speak to the Sons of Israel, to say, When a man shall die, and has not a son to him, And you shall have את-his inheritance go over to his daughter. 9 And if has not a daughter to him, and you shall give את-his inheritance to his brothers. 10 And if has not to him brothers, and you shall give את-his inheritance to the brothers of his father. 11 And if have no brothers to his father, and you shall give את-his inheritance to his relative that is drawn near to him from his family, and shall possess (occupy) her: and she shall be to the Sons of Israel for a Statute of Judgment, as the which יהוה commanded את-Moses.
It is now the men of Manasseh's turn to bring a case to Moses regarding the daughters of Zelophehad. In this issue, they were concerned that Zelophehad's daughters could marry men from another Israelite tribe, and the men of Manasseh were also concerned that the land of their tribe would diminish by having it given to another tribe through "Inter-Tribal Marriage". Also, they were concerned that in the year of the Jubilee, they would not get the land back, because of the Inter-Tribal Marriage.
Moses went to יהוה to state their case. The reason their case came to Moses, was that the men of Manasseh went through the steps of the lower courts, as was suggested by Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, which is noted in the Torah portion Yithro, in the book of Exodus
Exodus 18:17 And the father-in-law of Moses said to him, The word which you are doing is not good. 18 Wearing (Fainting), you will wear out (faint), also you, also this People which are with you: for the word is heavy with (from) you; You are not able to do him by your aloneness. 19 Now listen in my voice. I will counsel (consult, advise) you, and Elohim shall be with you: You will be for the People opposite (at the front of, a circumcision of) The Elohim, and you, you will bring את-the words to The Elohim: 20 And you shall delegate (admonish, enlighten, warn) them את-the Statutes and את-the Teachings (Torahs), and you shall make known to them את-the way they shall walk (go) in her and את-the doings (work) which they should do. 21 And you, you shall provide (perceive, envision, gaze) from all of the People men of valor (valiance), revering (aweing, fearing) Elohim, men of truth, haters of gain (profit, covetousness, unjust gain); and you will set over (upon) them of princes of thousands, princes of hundreds, princes of fifties, and princes of tens: 22 And they will judge את-the People in all times: And shall be, they shall bring (come) to you any of the great word, and any of the small word they, they shall judge (ordinate): And shall be easier (lighter) from upon yourself, and they shall bear (carry, lift up) with you. 23 If you do את-this word, and Elohim commands you, and you shall be able at standing, and also all of this People shall go over (upon) their place in peace.
24 And Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all which was said. 25 And Moses chose men of valor (valiance) from all of Israel, and gave them of heads over (upon) the People, of princes of Thousands, of princes of Hundreds, of princes of Fifties, and of princes of Tens. 26 And they judged (ordinated) את-the People in all times: They brought to Moses את-the hard (severe, fierce) word, and they judged (ordinated) themselves any of the small word. 27 And Moses sent away את-his father-in-law; and went by himself to his land.
Based on this week's Torah portion chapter, the men of Menasseh went through the lower courts, and after all the appeals, they now have reached the "Supreme Court" of the Israelite judicial system.... Moses.
After the men stated their case to Moses, and Moses went to hwhy about it, יהוה made the judgement that any daughter having an inheritance were to marry "within" their own tribes and not another tribe, so that the Jubilee will be valid within their own tribe.
Today, in the United States, it would be impossible to apply this Commandment, with all the past influx of immigrants compared to the original landowners in the early years of this nation. The first phase of this destruction of mainting the family lands came with the G.I.'s that came back from World War II, and there was a home building boom by the government, in which applied "Eminent Domain" that was based from the Fifth Amendment in the United States Constitution in 1791. The Eminent Domain gives the United States government the right to take property away for the Government's purpose, even if the land rightly belongs to the owner.
In the end of the men of Menasseh's case, one can say that the men were satisfied with יהוה's decision.
"CASE CLOSED"!!!
That ends this week's Torah portion commentary.
This also ends the book of Numbers
Don't cry. We will read you again next year, hwhy willing.
Any questions or comments can be written to
thealeph-tavproject@outlook.com
SHABBATH SHALOM
