Limitless Word
But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession.
Leviticus 25:34 · World English Bible
Parallel translations
  • KJV But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession.
  • BSB But the open pastureland around their cities may not be sold, for this is their permanent possession.
  • NKJV But the field of the common-land of their cities may not be sold, for it is their perpetual possession.
  • NASB But pasture fields of their cities shall not be sold, for that is their permanent possession.
  • NLT The open pastureland around the Levitical towns may never be sold. It is their permanent possession.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

The pasturelands around Levite cities could never be sold, being their perpetual possession. Their essential lands were permanently secured.

Overview

The fields surrounding the Levitical cities were inalienable, guaranteeing the tribe lasting support. Since the Levites depended on these lands for their livestock and sustenance, God made them untouchable. This safeguard underscores God's faithful provision for those dedicated to his service.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 3

  • Lev 25:23“‘The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine; for you are strangers and live as foreigners with me.
  • Acts 4:36–37Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
  • Num 35:2–5“Command the children of Israel to give to the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in. You shall give suburbs for the cities around them to the Levites.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (4)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Leviticus videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Leviticus 25:34YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on LeviticusMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Every sacrifice, every priest, and every day of atonement points beyond itself to the one perfect offering and the great High Priest who, by his own blood, makes the unclean holy once for all.

How Leviticus 25:34 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.