The Common Portion

A common strip of land is reserved for the city, its houses, and pasture, with the city itself measured as a square at the center. Pastureland surrounds it, and the adjoining agricultural land supplies food for the workers who come from all Israel's tribes. The whole arrangement forms a balanced square in which holy and civic portions are distinguished yet coordinated.

T¹⁵he remaining area, 5,000 cubits wide and 25,000 cubits long, will be for common use by the city, for houses, and for pastureland. The city will be in the center of it ¹⁶and will have these measurements: 4,500 cubits on the north side, 4,500 cubits on the south side, 4,500 cubits on the east side, and 4,500 cubits on the west side. ¹⁷The pastureland of the city will extend 250 cubits to the north, 250 cubits to the south, 250 cubits to the east, and 250 cubits to the west. ¹⁸The remainder of the length bordering the holy portion and running adjacent to it will be 10,000 cubits on the east side and 10,000 cubits on the west side. Its produce will supply food for the workers of the city. ¹⁹The workers of the city who cultivate it will come from all the tribes of Israel. ²⁰The entire portion will be a square, 25,000 cubits by 25,000 cubits. You are to set apart the holy portion, along with the city property.