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Numbers Chapter
Thirty-five
New King James Version (NKJV)
INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 35
Though
the tribe of Levi had no part in the division of the land
yet cities out of
the several tribes are here ordered to be given them to dwell in
to the number
of forty eight
Numbers 35:1
six
of which were to be cities of refuge
Numbers 35:9
but
not for wilful murderers
in whatsoever way they might kill a man
Numbers 35:16
but
for such who had killed a man unawares
Numbers 35:22
and
several rules are given relating to such persons
Numbers 35:25
but
no satisfaction was to be taken in case of murder
nor to excuse a person's
return to his own house before the death of the high priest
who had fled to a
city of refuge
that so the land might not be defiled
Numbers 35:30.
Numbers 35:1 And the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of
Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho
saying:
YLT
1And Jehovah speaketh unto
Moses
in the plains of Moab
by Jordan
[near] Jericho
saying
And the Lord spake to Moses
.... After he had
described the borders of the land
and given instructions about the division of
it among the several tribes
and named the persons that should be concerned in
parting and putting it into the possession of the Israelites
he makes a
provision for the Levites; for though they had no inheritance in the land as a
tribe
yet it was proper they should have cities and houses to dwell in; for it
would not be suitable that they should be always about the tabernacle
as they
were in the wilderness; and it is concerning this the Lord is said to speak to
Moses:
in the plains of Moab by Jordan
near Jericho: where the
Israelites now were
and had been for some time:
saying; as follows.
Numbers 35:2 2 “Command the children of Israel that they give the
Levites cities to dwell in from the inheritance of their possession
and you
shall also give the Levites common-land around the cities.
YLT
2`Command the sons of
Israel
and they have given to the Levites of the inheritance of their
possession cities to inhabit; also a suburb for the cities round about them ye
do give to the Levites.
Command the children of Israel
.... All the tribes of
them; it is not a bare instruction that is given them
much less a mere request
that is made to them
or something proposed
and left to their option whether
they would agree to it or not; but it is strictly enjoined them by the Lord
who had given them freely all they should possess
and who had a right to all
they had
and to whom they were in duty and gratitude bound to do his will and
pleasure: the order is:
that they give unto the Levites
of the inheritance of their
possession
cities to dwell in; which was but reasonable and requisite
that the ministers of God
and the assistants of the priests
and who did the
service of the congregation
that they should have
habitations for them and
their families
as well as food and raiment was provided for them in another
way:
and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities
round about them; which were partly for ornament to their cities
and partly for
their health
that they might have air
and not be too closely confined within
the walls of their cities; and also for convenience
that they have room for
their cattle
and places to lay up the increase of their fields
as after
suggested. Jarchi says
that a suburb was a space and place parted without the
city
round about
for the beauty of it; but they were not allowed to build
there an house (i.e. to dwell in)
nor to plant a vineyard
nor to sow seed;
other ground is after provided for such uses.
Numbers 35:3 3 They shall have the cities to dwell in; and their
common-land shall be for their cattle
for their herds
and for all their
animals.
YLT
3And the cities have been to
them to inhabit
and their suburbs are for their cattle
and for their goods
and for all their beasts.
And cities shall they have to dwell in
.... For them
and their families
and indeed for nothing else
they having no trades nor
worldly business to carry on in them:
and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle; for stables
and stalls to put them up in
and for barns and storehouses to lay in provender
for them:
and for their goods; where to bestow them
as
the increase of their fields
oliveyards
and vineyards
see Luke 12:18.
and for all their beasts; or living creatures; or
"for their whole life"F26לכל הי־תאם "ad vitam ipsorum". Vid. Drusium. ; or
livelihood
whatsoever was for the support of it; the Targum of Jonathan adds
by way of explanation
for all their necessities; and so Jarchi.
Numbers 35:4 4 The common-land of the cities which you will give the
Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits
all around.
YLT
4`And the suburbs of the
cities which ye give to the Levites [are]
from the wall of the city and
without
a thousand cubits round about.
And the suburbs of the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites
.... The
dimensions and bounds of them were not left to the Israelites
to give what
ground they pleased for this purpose
but were fixed to what length they should
be: these
shall reach from the walls
of the city
and outward
a thousand cubits round about; which was
half a sabbath day's journey
and pretty near half a mile
which all around a
city must contain a considerable quantity of ground
if the city was of any
size
as it is certain that some of them given them at least were.
Numbers 35:5 5 And you shall measure outside the city on the east side
two thousand cubits
on the south side two thousand cubits
on the west side
two thousand cubits
and on the north side two thousand cubits. The city shall
be in the middle. This shall belong to them as common-land for the cities.
YLT
5And ye have measured from
the outside of the city
the east quarter
two thousand by the cubit
and the
south quarter
two thousand by the cubit
and the west quarter
two thousand by
the cubit
and the north quarter
two thousand by the cubit; and the city [is]
in the midst; this is to them the suburbs of the cities.
And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two
thousand cubits
.... Before only 1000 cubits were ordered to bemeasured
and now
2000
even 2000 more
which were to be added to the other
and to begin where
they ended. The first 1000 were for their cattle and goods
these 2000 for
their gardens
orchards
fields
and vineyards; and so the Jewish writers
understand it. Jarchi observes
that 1000 cubits are ordered
and after that
2000; and asks
how is this? or how is it to be reconciled? to which he
answers
2000 are put to them round about
and of them the 1000 innermost are
for suburbs
and the outermost (i.e. the 2000) are for fields and vineyards;
and with this agrees the MisnahF1Sotah
c. 5. sect. 3. Maimon. &
Bartenora in ib.
from whence he seems to have taken it; and the same was to
be on every other side of the city
south
west
and north
as follows:
and on the south side two thousand cubits
and on the west side
two thousand cubits
and on the north side two thousand cubits; which
added
to the other 1000 all around
must make a large circumference of land:
and the city shall be in the midst; in the midst of the
circuit of three thousand cubits all around
so that it must stand very
pleasant and convenient:
this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities; such a
quantity of ground
consisting of so many cubits
shall be assigned to every
city; the suburbs or glebe land to a Levite's city
on the four sides were four
squares
and each square consisted of seventy six acres
one rood
twenty
perches
and eighty square feet; all the four squares amounting to three
hundred and five acres
two roods
one perch
besides fifty seven feet square
according to Bishop Cumberland.
Numbers 35:6 6 “Now among the cities which you will give to the
Levites you shall appoint six cities of refuge
to which a manslayer may
flee. And to these you shall add forty-two cities.
YLT
6`And the cities which ye
give to the Levites [are] the six cities of refuge
which ye give for the
fleeing thither of the man-slayer
and besides them ye give forty and two
cities;
And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites
.... The
number of which is not yet expressed
but is afterwards: there shall be
six cities for refuge; a sort of asylums
of
which there were many among the Heathens
perhaps in imitation of these
for
persons to have recourse to for safety
when in danger of life: the Septuagint
render the words
"cities of flight"F2ערי
המקלט πολεις
των φυγαδευτηριων
Sept. ; or to flee unto
which certainly was the use of them: to
this the apostle alludes when he speaks of some that fled for refuge
to lay
hold on the hope set before them
Hebrews 6:18
the
wordF3מקלט "receptus"
Junius
& Tremellius; "collectionis"
Piscator; R. Sol. Ohel Moed
fol.
82. 1. "proprie significat collectionem vel retentionem"
Munster.
used for refuge signifies "gathering or receiving"
for here persons
in distress gathered or betook themselves; and here they were received
retained
protected
and sheltered: what and where these six cities were to be
and were
is after shown:
which ye shall appoint for the manslayer; not for any
and everyone
not for one that killed a man presumptuously and purposely
through enmity and malice
but for one that did it ignorantly
unawares
and
without design:
that he may flee thither; with all haste
after
the commission of the fact; and
to facilitate his flight
and that he might
have no interruption in it
the sanhedrim were obliged to prepare the ways to
the cities of refuge
and to make them fit and large; and they removed
everything that might cause him to stumble; and they did not leave in the way
neither an hillock
nor a dale
nor a river but they made a bridge over it
that nothing might retard him that fled thither
as it is said:
thou shalt prepare thee a way; Deuteronomy 19:3
and the breadth of the way to the cities of refuge was not less than thirty two
cubits; and at the parting of ways (on posts erected) were written
"refuge
refuge"
so that the slayer might know (the way) and turn
there (as this directed him): and on the fifteenth of Adar or February
they
met every year
to take care of this businessF4Maimon. Hilchot
Rotzeach
c. 8. sect. 5. ; and they also appointed two disciples of the wise
men
or two studious and understanding persons
to accompany him
not so much
for the direction of the way
as lest the avenger of blood should meet with
him
and slay him in the way; and who were to talk to him
and persuade him not
to do it
suggesting to him that it was not done designedly
but unawares
and
that it would be a bad thing to kill a man for what he did not intend to do
and which was done without any malice or enmity to the person killed
and with
such like words to cool and appease the avengerF5Misn. Maccot
c. 2.
sect. 5. & Maimon. & Bartenora in ib. :
and to them ye shall add forty two cities; according to
the Jewish writers these also were cities of refuge; for so they sayF6
"all
the cities of the Levites receive or are refuges
every one of them is a city
of refuge
as it is said
"and to them ye shall add"
&c. the
Scripture makes them all alike for refuge: what difference is there between
cities of refuge
which are separated for refuge
and the rest of the cities of
the Levites? the gates of the cities of refuge receive
whether according to
knowledge or not
(which Mr. SeldenF7De Jure Natarae & Gentium
l. 4. c. 2. p. 489. interprets
whether the inhabitants will or not; but the
sense of Maimonides elsewhereF8Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn.
Maccot
l. 2. sect. 4.
and of other writers
is plainly this
whether
according to the knowledge and intention of the manslayer or not
whether he
knows it to be a city of refuge or:not
and whether he purposely came thither
for safety or not
) and he that enters into them is safe; but the rest of the
cities of the Levites do not receive
but according to knowledge (when the
manslayer knowingly and designedly came thither for shelter); and a manslayer
that dwells in a city of refuge gives no more for his house
but he that dwells
in the other cities of the Levites gives more (or pays for it) to the owner of
the house;'but though this is their unanimous opinion
it rather seems
according to the letter of the Scripture
that only six were cities of refuge
and the rest were for the Levites to dwell in by themselves.
Numbers 35:7 7 So all the cities you will give to the Levites shall
be forty-eight; these you shall give with their common-land.
YLT
7all the cities which ye
give to the Levites [are] forty and eight cities
them and their suburbs.
So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be
forty eight cities
.... Of these forty eight cities
their names
and what tribes
they were in
and which of them were particularly cities of refuge
an account
is given in Joshua 21:10
them shall ye give
with their suburbs; according to
the dimensions before prescribed.
Numbers 35:8 8 And the cities which you will give shall be from
the possession of the children of Israel; from the larger tribe you
shall give many
from the smaller you shall give few. Each shall give some of
its cities to the Levites
in proportion to the inheritance that each
receives.”
YLT
8And the cities which ye
give [are] of the possession of the sons of Israel
from the many ye multiply
and from the few ye diminish; each
according to his inheritance which they
inherit
doth give of his cities to the Levites.'
And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of
the children of Israel
.... What shall fall by lot for their inheritance
and they shall
be possessed of; and though they are
shall not refuse
nor grudge to give
them
according to the direction of God
whose the land is
they holding it
under him:
from them that have many ye shall give many
but from them
that have few ye shall give few; which rule was observed;
for out of Judah
whose lot was large
and out of Simeon
whose inheritance was
within that of Judah
because it was so large
nine cities were given
whereas
out of the other tribes only four cities out of each were given
and out of one
of them but three
see Joshua 21:1
everyone shall give of his cities unto the Levites
according to
his inheritance which he inheriteth; and the Levites
being
thus dispersed among the several tribes
were of great advantage to them
to
instruct them in the knowledge of divine things; so that though hereby Jacob's
curse on this tribe had its fulfilment
that it should be divided in Jacob
and
scattered in Israel
yet that became a blessing to the rest of the tribes; see Genesis 49:7.
Numbers 35:9 9 Then the Lord spoke to
Moses
saying
YLT
9And Jehovah speaketh unto
Moses
saying
And the Lord spake unto Moses
.... At the same time
or
he continued his speech unto him:
saying: as follows.
Numbers 35:10 10 “Speak to the children of Israel
and say to them:
‘When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan
YLT
10`Speak unto the sons of
Israel
and thou hast said unto them
When ye are passing over the Jordan to
the land of Canaan
Speak unto the children of Israel
and say unto them
.... Now
directly:
when ye come over Jordan into the land of Canaan; as they
quickly would
being now very near it
and of which there was the utmost
certainty
since the Lord had promised to bring them over that river
and put
them in possession of that land.
Numbers 35:11 11 then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge
for you
that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there.
YLT
11and have prepared to
yourselves cities -- cities of refuge they are to you -- then fled thither hath
a man-slayer
smiting a person unawares
Then ye shall appoint your cities to be cities of refuge for you
.... And
according to the Jewish writersF9Maimon. Rotzeach
c. 8. sect. 8.
Vid. T. Bab. Maccot
fol. 10. 1.
these were neither to be made large nor
little
but middling; and they appointed them where there were markets and
fairs
at which goods were to be sold; and where there was plenty of water
and
a multitude of people; and where there were but few
they fetched others from
other places; and they neither made nets for hunting
nor twisted ropes in
them
nor sold any warlike instruments
lest the avenger of blood should use
himself to come thither
under pretence of buying such things
and kill the
manslayer:
that the slayer may flee thither
which killeth any person at
unawares; or through errorF11בשגגה "per
errorem"
Pagninus
Junius & Tremellius
Piscator; "per
imprudentiam"
Tigurine version: Vatablus; "in ignorantia"
Montanus.
or mistake
not on purpose
with design
or through malice and
enmity
as is afterwards more largely explained.
Numbers 35:12 12 They shall be cities of refuge for you from the
avenger
that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation
in judgment.
YLT
12and the cities have been to
you for a refuge from the redeemer
and the man-slayer doth not die till his
standing before the company for judgment.
And they shall be unto you cities of refuge from the avenger
.... Or near
kinsman; for as the right of redemption of an estate that was mortgaged
belonged to such an one
so of revenging the blood of any one that was killed:
that the manslayer die not; by the hand of the
avenger
who in the heat of his passion would
could he come at him
fall upon
him
and slay him
to avenge the death of his relation on him:
until he stand before the congregation in judgment; before the
court of judicature
to be examined
tried
and judged
whether the murder was
committed knowingly and willingly
or whether through mistake and at unawares:
this was done either before the court of judicature in the city of refuge
who
took cognizance of such cases directly
that they might know whom to harbour
and protect
and whom not; or before the court in the place where the act was
committed: interpreters are divided about this; and CalmetF12Dictionary
on the word "Refuge". is of opinion that he was examined in both
courts
first more strictly in the city of refuge
and then more slightly in
the place where it was done
which is not improbable; however
this seems
manifest from Numbers 35:25
that
the court where it was committed had power to fetch him from the city of
refuge
and set him before them
and examine into the case; and
if an innocent
person
restored him to the city of refuge
whither he had fled.
Numbers 35:13 13 And of the cities which you give
you shall have six
cities of refuge.
YLT
13`As to the cities which ye
give -- six [are] cities of refuge to you;
And of these cities which ye shall give
.... Of the
forty eight cities they were to give to the Levites
Numbers 35:7
six cities shall ye have for refuge; which
I think
makes it
clear
that not all the forty eight cities were for refuge
only six of them.
Numbers 35:14 14 You shall appoint three cities on this side of the
Jordan
and three cities you shall appoint in the land of Canaan
which
will be cities of refuge.
YLT
14the three of the cities ye
give beyond the Jordan
and the three of the cities ye give in the land of
Canaan; cities of refuge they are.
Ye shall give three cites on this side Jordan
.... Which
were Bezer in the wilderness
out of the tribe of Reuben; and Ramoth in Gilead
out of the tribe of Gad; and Golan in Bashan
out of the tribe of Manasseh
Joshua 20:8
and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan: which were
Kadesh in Galilee
in Mount Naphtali; Shechem in Mount Ephraim; and
Kirjatharba
or Hebron
in the mountain of Judah
Joshua 20:7.
which shall be
cities of refuge; the three on the other side Jordan
the Jews say
were separated
by Moses
and the three in the land of Canaan by Joshua
but not one of them
was a refuge until they were all separatedF13Misn. Maccot
c. 2.
sect. 4. Maimon. Hilchot Rotzeach
c. 8. sect. 2. 3. & in Pirke
c. 4. sect.
2. & Jarchi in loc. : it may seem strange that there should be as many in
the two tribes and a half on the other side Jordan
as in the nine tribes and a
half in the land of Canaan; let it be observed
what the Jewish writers
sayF14T.
Bab. Maccot
fol. 9. 2.
Moses separated three cities beyond Jordan
and
opposite them Joshua separated three in the land of Canaan; and they were like
two rows in a vineyard
Hebron in Judea was opposite Bezer in the wilderness;
Shechem in Mount Ephraim was opposite Ramoth in Gilead; Kadesh in Mount
Naphtali was opposite Golan in Bashan; and the three were so disposed
that
there was as much space from the south (of the land of Israel) to Hebron as
from Hebron to Shechem; and as much from Hebron to Shechem as from Shechem to
Kadesh; and as much from Shechem to Kadesh as from Kadesh to the north beyond
Jordan; and it should be known that the land of the tribes beyond Jordan
extended in length as far as the land of Canaan
and was equal to it
running
along it; so that those in the land of Canaan could soon and easily get over
Jordan to the cities of refuge there
if there was occasion; besides
there is
a direction given
that if their coast should be enlarged
they were to add
three cities more in the land of Canaan
Deuteronomy 19:8
hence the Jews have a notion
that in the days of the Messiah those three
cities will be addedF15Maimon. Rotzeach
c. 8. sect. 4. ; but the
Messiah is come already
and is the antitype of them all.
Numbers 35:15 15 These six cities shall be for refuge for the children
of Israel
for the stranger
and for the sojourner among them
that anyone who
kills a person accidentally may flee there.
YLT
15To sons of Israel
and to a
sojourner
and to a settler in their midst
are these six cities for a refuge
for the fleeing thither of any one smiting a person unawares.
These six cities shall be a refuge both for the children of Israel
and for the stranger
.... For an Israelite
and a proselyte of righteousness
one that
embraced the Jewish religion
and in all things conformed to it
and to whom
there was but one law in things civil and religious:
and for the sojourner among you; the proselyte of the gate
who renounced idolatry
and observed the commands of the sons of Noah
but in
other things did not comply with the Jewish ceremonies
yet had the benefit of
the cities of refuge equally with the other; though the Jews sayF16Misn.
Maccot
c. 2. sect. 3.
such a proselyte or sojourner had only this privilege
who slew a proselyte
but not if he slew an Israelite; but for this distinction
there is no foundation in the text:
that everyone that killeth any person unawares may flee thither; whether an
Israelite
or a proselyte of righteousness or of the gate.
Numbers 35:16 16 ‘But if he strikes him with an iron implement
so that
he dies
he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.
YLT
16`And if with an instrument
of iron he hath smitten him
and he dieth
he [is] a murderer: the murderer is
certainly put to death.
And if he smite him with an instrument of iron
so that he die
.... As with
an hatchet
hammer
sword
knife
&c.
he is a murderer; the instrument used by him
and with which
he smote
shows that he had a bad design
and intended to kill
or he would
never have smitten a man with such an instrument:
the murderer shall surely be put to death; be condemned
to death
and be executed
by the order of the civil magistrate
according to
the law in Genesis 9:6 and not
be allowed the benefit of a city of refuge.
Numbers 35:17 17 And if he strikes him with a stone in the hand
by
which one could die
and he does die
he is a murderer; the murderer
shall surely be put to death.
YLT
17`And if with a stone [in]
the hand
wherewith he dieth
he hath smitten him
and he dieth
he [is] a
murderer: the murderer is certainly put to death.
And if he smite him with throwing a stone
.... "Or
with a stone of the hand"F17באבן יד.
which the Jews interpret of a stone so big as to fill
a man's hand
and so
wherewith he may die; at whom it is thrown; is
sufficient to cause his death
if struck with it; so the Targum of Jonathan
paraphrases it of a"stone of fulness of hands
which is sufficient that a
man may die with it
'or be killed by it:
and he die; by the blow he receives from it
either immediately or in a
short time after:
he is a murderer
and the murderer shall surely be put to death; as in the
above case.
Numbers 35:18 18 Or if he strikes him with a wooden hand weapon
by which one could die
and he does die
he is a murderer; the murderer
shall surely be put to death.
YLT
18`Or with a wooden
instrument [in] the hand
wherewith he dieth
he hath smitten him
and he
dieth
he [is] a murderer: the murderer is certainly put to death.
Or if he smote him with an hand weapon of wood
.... A stick
or staff
or club:
wherewith he may die
and he die; which is sufficient to
kill a man
as the same Targum explains it; and a man dies with the blow that
is given him by it:
he is a murderer
and the murderer shall surely be put to death; no pardon
given him
or the benefit of the city of refuge allowed him.
Numbers 35:19 19 The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to
death; when he meets him
he shall put him to death.
YLT
19`The redeemer of blood
himself doth put the murderer to death; in his coming against him he doth put
him to death.
The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer
.... Not only
shall have power to do it
but
as it seems
should be obliged to do it; be the
executioner of the murderer; but not before his case has been heard
examined
tried
and judged; wherefore the Targum of Jonathan adds
"in
judgment
'that is
as Onkelos explains it
"when he is condemned by
judgment
'the court of judicature:
when he meeteth him he shall slay him; the first
opportunity he has
even though
as Jarchi says
if he meets him in the midst
of one of the cities of refuge
and no judgment is passed on him.
Numbers 35:20 20 If he pushes him out of hatred or
while lying in
wait
hurls something at him so that he dies
YLT
20`And if in hatred he thrust
him through
or hath cast [anything] at him by lying in wait
and he dieth;
But if he thrust him of hatred
.... Or
"and
if"F18ואם "et si"
Pagninus
Montanus.
since the Scripture is still speaking of such that shall
die for murder
though in another instance
without having the privilege of a
city of refuge; if he thrusts him with a sword or knife
or rather
since
if
anything of that kind is included in the first instance of smiting with an
instrument of iron
push him down from an high place
as Aben Ezra; so the men
of Nazareth intended to have dispatched Christ in that way
Luke 4:29.
or hurl at him by lying in wait
that he die; as a bowing
wall
as the same writer instances in
push down that upon him as he passes
along
lying in wait for him; or throws anything at him
with an intention to
kill him
and does; or casts down anything upon him
a large stone
or anything
else
by which he dies.
Numbers 35:21 21 or in enmity he strikes him with his hand so that he
dies
the one who struck him shall surely be put to death. He is
a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets
him.
YLT
21or in enmity he hath
smitten him with his hand
and he dieth; the smiter is certainly put to death;
he [is] a murderer; the redeemer of blood doth put the murderer to death in his
coming against him.
Or in enmity smite him with his hand
that he die
.... Give him
a blow with his fist
on some part of his body where life is most in danger
and which issues in death:
he that smote him shall surely be put to death
for he is a
murderer; and therefore
according to the original law
ought to die
without reprieve or pardon; and notwithstanding this law made for cities of refuge
which were to be denied him:
the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer when he meeteth him: that is
when
he is condemned
as both the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan interpret it
after a hearing and trial of his case.
Numbers 35:22 22 ‘However
if he pushes him suddenly without enmity
or
throws anything at him without lying in wait
YLT
22`And if
in an instant
without enmity
he hath thrust him through
or hath cast at him any instrument
without lying in wait;
But if he thrust him suddenly
without enmity
.... Push him
from a precipice
before he is aware
without any malicious design against his
life
but merely through accident:
or have cast upon him anything; from the top of a house
or from a building he is pulling down
or pushes a bowing wall upon him
not
knowing that he is passing by it:
and without lying of wait: or having contrived to
do it
just as he goes along
or in any other similar way.
Numbers 35:23 23 or uses a stone
by which a man could die
throwing it
at him without seeing him
so that he dies
while he was not his enemy
or seeking his harm
YLT
23or with any stone wherewith
he dieth
without seeing
and causeth [it] to fall upon him
and he dieth
and
he [is] not his enemy
nor seeking his evil;
Or with any stone wherewith a man may die
.... Which is
sufficient to kill a man
if thrown at him:
seeing him not; and so without intention: the JewsF19Misn.
Maccot
c. 2. sect. 3. from hence gather
that a blind man is to be acquitted
and dismissed
and not banished and so stands in no need of a city of refuge;
though others say he is to be banished
and needs it
and ought to have the
privilege of it:
and cast it upon him that he die; casting
it upon another
account
and with another view
but yet falling upon a man
it kills him:
and was not his enemy
neither sought him harm; it was never
known that they were at variance
or that the slayer had ever by any overt act
discovered any malice and enmity against the deceased
by word or deed
or ever
sought to do him any injury
either to his person or property.
Numbers 35:24 24 then the congregation shall judge between the
manslayer and the avenger of blood according to these judgments.
YLT
24then have the company
judged between the smiter and the redeemer of blood
by these judgments.
Then the congregation
.... That is
the court
of judicature
assembled together to hear and try this cause:
shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood; shall hear
what both have to say
and pass sentence:
according to these judgments; these judicial laws and
rules of judgment before delivered
exemplified in various cases.
Numbers 35:25 25 So the congregation shall deliver the manslayer from
the hand of the avenger of blood
and the congregation shall return him to the
city of refuge where he had fled
and he shall remain there until the death of
the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.
YLT
25`And the company have
delivered the man-slayer out of the hand of the redeemer of blood
and the
company have caused him to turn back unto the city of his refuge
whither he
hath fled
and he hath dwelt in it till the death of the chief priest
who hath
been anointed with the holy oil.
And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of
the avenger of blood
.... Put him under the care of proper persons
to conduct him to
one of the cities of refuge
or put him in the way to it; and restrain the
avenger of blood from pursuing him
until such time that it may be judged he is
safe arrived there:
and the congregation shall restore him to the city of refuge
whither he was fled; so that it seems by this
when one had been guilty of
manslaughter
and fled to one of the cities of refuge
he might be taken from
thence and had before a court of justice
and there take his trial; and if it
appeared that the fact was committed by him
ignorantly
unawares
and without
design
then he was returned to his city of refuge; but
if otherwise
he was
put to death
notwithstanding he had fled thither; and so it is said in the
MisnahF20Misn. Maccot. c. 2. sect. 6.
that"at first
or
formerly
one that killed another ignorantly or presumptuously
they sent him
before to one of the cities of refuge
and the sanhedrim sent and fetched him
from thence: he who was condemned to death by the court
they slew him; he that
was not condemned was dismissed; he that was condemned to banishment they
returned him to his place
according to Numbers 35:25."
and he shall abide in it
unto the death of the high priest
which
was anointed with the holy oil: and then he was to be set at liberty
and
return to his house and family and have his former possessions and honours
if
he had any
restored unto him
the commission or warrant for his detainer there
ceasing
being made void by the death of the high priest; who was the prince of
the priests and Levites
to whom those cities belonged
and so under his
jurisdiction: or so it was ordered
because such was the general mourning for
such a public loss as an high priest
that all private revenges would subside
and the cause of them be buried
in grief and forgetfulness; though
no doubt
this had a respect to something which will be hereafter taken notice of: the
Jews sayF21Misn. Maccot. c. 2. sect. 3.
that the mothers of the
priests used to supply with a sufficient quantity of food and raiment such who
fled to the cities of refuge
that they might not pray for the death of their
sons; and according to them
a man's case was very bad when there was no high
priest; for so they writeF23Misn. Maccot
c. 2. sect. 7. "he
whose cause is finished (or his case determined in a court of judicature)
and
there is no high priest; and he that slays an high priest
or an high priest
slays another
he never goes out
no not so much as to bear testimony in any
cause
and even in what the congregation has need of him
but there are his
dwelling
his death
and his burial.'
Numbers 35:26 26 But if the manslayer at any time goes outside the
limits of the city of refuge where he fled
YLT
26`And if the man-slayer at
all go out [from] the border of the city of his refuge whither he fleeth
But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the
city of his refuge
.... Which seems to be the three thousand cubits assigned to
every city of the Levites
and so to the cities of refuge; and which
according
to the Jewish writers
were a refuge
as the city itself; and it is saidF24Maimon.
Hilchot Rotzeach
c. 8. sect. 11. Misn. Maccot
c. 2. sect. 7.
"he
that
kills a man there
is killed for him
but though the border is a refuge
the
slayer does not dwell in it
as it is said. Numbers 35:25
"he shall abide in it"
but not in its borders:"
whither he was fled; on account of
manslaughter.
Numbers 35:27 27 and the avenger of blood finds him outside the limits
of his city of refuge
and the avenger of blood kills the manslayer
he shall
not be guilty of blood
YLT
27and the redeemer of blood
hath found him at the outside of the border of the city of his refuge
and the
redeemer of blood hath slain the man-slayer
blood is not for him;
And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city
of his refuge
.... Without the suburbs
fields
and vineyards belonging to it:
and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; being
exasperated against him
and to avenge the blood of his relation on him:
he shall not be guilty of blood; or be reckoned murderer
or die for it.
Numbers 35:28 28 because he should have remained in his city of refuge
until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the
manslayer may return to the land of his possession.
YLT
28for in the city of his
refuge he doth dwell till the death of the chief priest; and after the death of
the chief priest doth the man-slayer turn back unto the city of his possession.
Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until
the death of the high priest
.... Nothing could give him his liberty but
his death; so that though this was a merciful provision made in such cases for
such persons
and was a considerable benefit and privilege
yet it carried in
it some appearance of a punishment; since such a person was confined within the
boundaries of one of the cities of refuge as long as the high priest lived; and
this was done to make persons cautious how they were any way accessory to the
death of another
though without design:
but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return
into the land of his possession; to that part of the land
and to that tribe
to which he belonged
to his house and family
and to his possessions and
inheritances
whatever he had
and to all the honours and privileges he before
enjoyed
and under no danger from the avenger of blood henceforward: a custom
somewhat like this has prevailed in some parts of Africa
as Leo AfricanusF25Descriptio
Africae
l. 2. p. 135
136. relates
that if a man happened to kill another
all
the friends of the deceased conspired to kill him
but if they could not effect
it
then the guilty person was proclaimed an exile from the city
for the whole
space of seven years; and at the expiration of the whole seven years
when he
returned from his exile
the chief men of the city invited him to a feast
and
so he was restored to his liberty: temples
groves
altars
and statues
were
common among other nations for asylums or refuges
but whole cities very rarely
with the ancients; it seems there were someF26Vid. Marmor. Oxon.
& Not. in ib. p. 25. & Rittershusium de Jure Asylorum
c. 2. .
Numbers 35:29 29 ‘And these things shall be a statute of
judgment to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
YLT
29`And these things have been
to you for a statute of judgment to your generations
in all your dwellings:
So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you
.... A
judicial law
according to which they were to proceed in all the above cases:
throughout your generations in all your dwellings; throughout
all ages
as long as they dwelt in the land of Canaan
even unto the times of
the Messiah
in whom the things figured hereby had their accomplishment: the
cities of refuge were types of Christ: hence a divine person
even the Messiah
is often spoken of as the refuge of his people
Psalm 9:9 with
which compare Hebrews 6:18 these
were places to flee to
as the word is rendered by the Greek version; to Christ
sensible sinners flee for shelter and safety
which supposes danger in
themselves from the law and justice of God; a sense of that danger which makes
them flee from wrath to come; a view of Christ
as a place of refuge
and that
no other but he will serve their purpose
and therefore make all the haste and
speed they can unto him. The word properly signifies cities of gathering
or of
reception. There was a gathering of the elect of God to Christ at his death;
and there is another at effectual calling
which is an act of God's grace
and
a distinguishing one
when souls gather to Christ as their Saviour for righteousness
peace
pardon
rest
and everlasting life; and when Christ receives them
though sinners
into his arms
and into his heart
and into open fellowship
with him
so as to dwell in him
where they dwell pleasantly and safely; he
receives them into his house here
and into heaven hereafter; and by
and in
Christ
those that flee to him
and are received by him
are retained and
preserved from Satan
law
hell and death. The cities of refuge were of God's
appointing; so Christ
as a Saviour
and rock of refuge to his people
is
appointed and foreordained of God; they were well known for refuges
as the
Lord is in the places of Zion; they were open for all
at all times
as Christ
is for all sinners
even the chief of sinners
Jews or Gentiles; they are all one
in Christ
the Israelite
and the stranger and sojourner; all impediments were
removed out of the way of them
and plain directions to them given
as are in
the Gospel
and by the ministers of it; and there is always room in Christ for
such that flee to him
as there was in those cities; and being in him
they are
safe from the curse and condemnation of the law
from wrath to come
and from
the second death; and their redemption and atonement
peace and reconciliation
liberty
life and salvation
are owing to the death of Christ
their high
priest. AbendanaF1Not. in Miclol Yophi in ver. 25. observes
that
the death of the high priest atoned for the offence (of manslaughter)
which
was the reason the manslayer continued in the city of refuge till his death
and then was released: however
certain it is
that the death of Christ
our
high priest
atones for every sin of those that flee to him
and by which they
are reconciled to God. In some things there is a difference between these
cities of refuge and Christ; they were six
he but one; they were for such only
who shed blood ignorantly
he for such that were enemies to him
and lived in
malice towards others
and guilty of the most enormous crimes: to be in these
cities of refuge was a kind of exile and imprisonment
but they that are in
Christ are freemen; it was possible that such might die that were in them
and
at most were only delivered from temporal death
but they that flee to Christ
for refuge are saved with an everlasting salvation.
Numbers 35:30 30 Whoever kills a person
the murderer shall be put to
death on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness is not sufficient
testimony against a person for the death penalty.
YLT
30whoso smiteth a person
by
the mouth of witnesses doth [one] slay the murderer; and one witness doth not
testify against a person -- to die.
Whoso killeth any person
.... Willingly
and
through enmity and malice:
the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of two witnesses; which is
repeated partly to show
that this law concerning the cities of refuge was not
designed to screen a murderer
who was guilty through malice prepense; and
partly for the sake of what is added to it
that two witnesses are required in
such a case
where a man's life is at stake
to prove the fact against him;
which shows how careful the Lord is
and men should be
of the lives of his
creatures
that no man suffer wrongfully; which is repeated again and again
that it might be observed
see Deuteronomy 17:6
but one witness shall not testify against any person
to cause him to die;
which looks as if in other cases
in pecuniary matters
and the like
where
life is not concerned
one witness may be sufficient; though it is always best
and safest to have more if they can be had
that at the mouth of two or three
witnesses everything may be established
Deuteronomy 19:15.
Numbers 35:31 31 Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a
murderer who is guilty of death
but he shall surely be put to death.
YLT
31`And ye take no atonement
for the life of a murderer who [is] condemned -- to die
for he is certainly
put to death;
Moreover
ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer
.... Though he
would give all his wealth and substance
all his estates and possessions
and
whatever he is worth in the world; for all that a man has he will give for his
life; but these are not to be taken
nor anything
and everything his friends
may offer for him; all is to be rejected
the life of such a man is not to be
saved on any consideration:
which is guilty of death; as he is who kills a man
willingly and purposely; but one may be guilty of killing another
and yet not
be deserving of death
when it is done ignorantly and accidentally with respect
to him
for which reason this clause is added: but he shall be surely put to
death; by the order of the civil magistrate; and if this is not done either
through want of evidence
or the fault of the judge
or the criminal clemency
of the chief governor
God sooner or later will take vengeance on such a
person.
Numbers 35:32 32 And you shall take no ransom for him who has fled to
his city of refuge
that he may return to dwell in the land before the death of
the priest.
YLT
32and ye take no atonement
for him to flee unto the city of his refuge
to turn back to dwell in the land
until the death of the priest.
Moreover
ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to
the city of his refuge
.... Though for killing a man unawares:
that he should come again to dwell in the land
until the death of
the priest; the high priest; such a man's liberty was not to be purchased
with money
nor even his life to be bought off
should he be taken without his
city; a great ransom could not deliver him from the avenger
because he was
guilty of this law
which so wisely and mercifully provided for him; and consequently
guilty also of great ingratitude to God
as well as of a breach of his law
and
of disrespect to his high priest
under whom he was protected.
Numbers 35:33 33 So you shall not pollute the land where you are;
for blood defiles the land
and no atonement can be made for the land
for the
blood that is shed on it
except by the blood of him who shed it.
YLT
33`And ye profane not the
land which ye [are] in
for blood profaneth the land; as to the land
it is not
pardoned for blood which is shed in it except by the blood of him who sheddeth
it;
So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are
.... The land
of Canaan
as it had been by the old inhabitants of it
by idolatry
adultery
and murder:
for blood it defileth the land: the shedding of innocent
blood defiles a nation
and the inhabitants of it
brings guilt thereon
and
subjects to punishment:
and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein
but by the blood of him that shed it; or "there can be no
expiation"F2לא יכפר
"non posset expiatio"
Junius & Tremellius
Piscator; to the same
sense Pagninus
Montanus
Tigurine version.
or "atonement made" for
it in any other way; the blood of the murderer is required at his hands
and
nothing short of it will satisfy law and justice
see Genesis 9:6.
Numbers 35:34 34 Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit
in
the midst of which I dwell; for I the Lord dwell
among the children of Israel.’”
YLT
34and ye defile not the land
in which ye are dwelling
in the midst of which I do tabernacle
for I Jehovah
do tabernacle in the midst of the sons of Israel.'
Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inherit
.... By the commission
of such atrocious crimes
or suffering them to go unpunished
or by taking a
compensation for the life of the guilty person:
wherein I dwell; which is added to strengthen the
exhortation
and as giving a reason why care should be taken not to pollute it
because the Holy God dwells there; as he did in the tabernacle erected for him
and in such a peculiar manner as he did not in other lands:
for I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel; he now dwelt
among them as their God
and their King; his tent or tabernacle being pitched
in the midst of the camps of Israel; and so he would continue to dwell among
them when they were come to the land of Canaan
so long as they observed his
laws
statutes
and ordinances; and therefore it behoved them to be careful
that they did not pollute themselves and their land
and cause him to depart
from them.
──《John Gill’s
Exposition of the Bible》