Καὶ μετρήσεις ἔξω τῆς πόλεως τὸ κλίτος τὸ πρὸς ἀνατολὰς δισχιλίους πήχεις καὶ τὸ κλίτος τὸ πρὸς λίβα δισχιλίους πήχεις καὶ τὸ κλίτος τὸ πρὸς θάλασσαν δισχιλίους πήχεις καὶ τὸ κλίτος τὸ πρὸς βορρᾶν δισχιλίους πήχεις καὶ ἡ πόλις μέσον τούτου ἔσται ὑμῖν καὶ τὰ ὅμορα τῶν πόλεων (Numbers 35:5 LXX)
The Verse as a Blueprint
Numbers 35:5 LXX records YHWH’s precise instructions for measuring the pasturelands (or suburbs) of the Levitical cities. But beneath its spatial details lies a rich tapestry of directional syntax, adjectival structure, and genitive constructions that reveal a deeply ordered cosmos — one where grammar maps holiness.
Let us trace the sacred architecture, one clause at a time.
Repetition and Structure: Fourfold Coordinates
This verse follows a clear, ritualized repetition:
– τὸ κλίτος τὸ πρὸς… (“the slope toward…”)
– Followed by a cardinal direction and the fixed measure δισχιλίους πήχεις (“two thousand cubits”)
The phrase is repeated four times, each for a different direction: East (ἀνατολὰς), South-West (λίβα), West (θάλασσαν), and North (βορρᾶν). These phrases share a common structure:
τὸ κλίτος τὸ πρὸς [direction] + [distance]
This reveals a syntactic pattern:
– τὸ κλίτος — neuter singular accusative, “the slope” or “incline”
– τὸ πρὸς [direction] — adjectival phrase using a preposition with accusative to specify direction
– δισχιλίους πήχεις — accusative of extent/distance, modifying the range of measurement
Preposition πρὸς with Accusative: Toward or Facing?
In Koine Greek, the preposition πρός with the accusative case generally indicates directional movement (“toward”) or orientation (“facing”). Here, it does not imply motion but rather spatial orientation: the area measured toward the east, toward the sea, etc.
This reflects a Hebraic spatial worldview, where cardinal directions are not abstract but oriented toward sacred geography — for example:
– ἀνατολὰς (East) = origin of light
– θάλασσαν (West/Sea) = limit of land
– λίβα (Southwest wind) = heat, wilderness
– βορρᾶν (North) = cold, darkness
Accusative of Extent: Measuring with Meaning
The recurring phrase δισχιλίους πήχεις is in the accusative plural because it expresses extent of space. This is a classical Greek usage:
– When denoting the distance measured, Greek uses the accusative without preposition.
– Thus, each direction includes a clearly defined sacred perimeter.
Two thousand cubits = ~900 meters — a large but finite sacred buffer zone between city and open field.
ἡ πόλις μέσον τούτου ἔσται: The Sacred Center
The sentence concludes:
καὶ ἡ πόλις μέσον τούτου ἔσται ὑμῖν —
“And the city shall be in the midst of this for you”
This clause contains:
– μέσον — neuter singular adjective used adverbially to mean “in the middle of”
– τούτου — genitive neuter singular demonstrative pronoun (“of this” = the surrounding measured lands)
Syntax of Holiness
Greek does not use a preposition here; instead, the structure:
– μέσον + genitive = “in the center of [something]”
– Reinforces the image of the city as sacred core, surrounded by a measured sanctuary belt
This layout echoes Edenic geography, where holiness radiates outward in concentric zones — sacred center, mediated borders, profane outer world.
Vocabulary of Proximity: τὰ ὅμορα τῶν πόλεων
The final phrase introduces another spatial idea:
τὰ ὅμορα τῶν πόλεων — “the neighboring parts of the cities”
– ὅμορα — neuter plural adjective meaning “adjacent, bordering”
– τῶν πόλεων — genitive plural, expressing possessive relationship
This refers either to:
– The pasture lands that belong to the cities, or
– The neighboring cities themselves, whose lands are similarly structured
Either way, the grammar expresses a theology of ordered proximity: nothing in the sacred space is arbitrary. Each element has its measured limit, and each boundary reinforces belonging.
Geometric Grammar as Theological Architecture
This verse is a rare instance where Greek grammar functions almost like architectural drafting. Every clause contributes to a blueprint:
– Direction is expressed with πρὸς + accusative
– Measurement through accusative of extent
– Sacred centrality via μέσον + genitive
– Relationship of adjacency with ὅμορα + genitive
The Levitical cities were not only built — they were linguistically framed, with prepositions and cases serving as compass and ruler.
Grammatical Pillars of a Holy Domain
Numbers 35:5 LXX stands as a quiet monument to the precision of sacred space. The city is not merely a human settlement — it is the midpoint of sanctified geography, measured and oriented according to divine instruction.
Koine Greek here does not simply describe; it builds. Each prepositional phrase is a stone, each accusative of measure a beam. And at the center, the city stands, upheld by grammar, set apart by case, and consecrated through syntax.
May we learn to read Scripture not only as narrative, but as sacred architecture — where even the prepositions are holy.
