Numbers 35:10

35:9-34 To show plainly the abhorrence of murder, and to provide the more effectually for the punishment of the murderer, the nearest relation of the deceased, under the title of avenger of blood, (or the redeemer of blood,) in notorious cases, might pursue, and execute vengeance. A distinction is made, not between sudden anger and malice aforethought, both which are the crime of murder; but between intentionally striking a man with any weapon likely to cause death, and an unintentional blow. In the latter case alone, the city of refuge afforded protection. Murder in all its forms, and under all disguises, pollutes a land. Alas! that so many murders, under the name of duels, prize-fights, &c. should pass unpunished. There were six cities of refuge; one or other might be reached in less than a day's journey from any part of the land. To these, man-slayers might flee for refuge, and be safe, till they had a fair trial. If acquitted from the charge, they were protected from the avenger of blood; yet they must continue within the bounds of the city till the death of the high priest. Thus we are reminded that the death of the great High Priest is the only means whereby sins are pardoned, and sinners set at liberty. These cities are plainly alluded to, both in the Old and New Testament, we cannot doubt the typical character of their appointment. Turn ye to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope, saith the voice of mercy, Zec 9:12, alluding to the city of refuge. St.

Paul describes the strong consolation of fleeing for refuge to the hope set before us, in a passage always applied to the gracious appointment of the cities of refuge, Heb 6:18. The rich mercies of salvation, through Christ, prefigured by these cities, demand our regard. 1. Did the ancient city rear its towers of safety on high? See Christ raised up on the cross; and is he not exalted at the right hand of his Father, to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and remission of sins? 2. Does not the highway of salvation, resemble the smooth and plain path to the city of refuge? Survey the path that leads to the Redeemer. Is there any stumbling-block to be found therein, except that which an evil heart of unbelief supplies for its own fall? 3. Waymarks were set up pointing to the city. And is it not the office of the ministers of the gospel to direct sinners to Him? 4. The gate of the city stood open night and day. Has not Christ declared, Him that cometh unto me I will in nowise cast out? 5. The city of refuge afforded support to every one who entered its walls. Those who have reached the refuge, may live by faith on Him whose flesh is meat indeed, and whose blood is drink indeed. 6. The city was a refuge for all. In the gospel there is no respect of persons. That soul lives not which deserves not Divine wrath; that soul lives not which may not in simple faith hope for salvation and life eternal, through the Son of God.

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.

Selection and Appointment of Cities of Refuge for Unpremeditated Manslayers. - Numbers 35:10 , Numbers 35:11 . When the Israelites had come into the land of Canaan, they were to choose towns conveniently situated as cities of refuge, to which the manslayer, who had slain a person (nephesh) by accident (בּשׁגגה: see at Leviticus 4:2 ), might flee. הקרה, from קרה, to hit, occurrit, as well as accidit; signifies here to give or make, i.e., to choose something suitable (Dietrich), but not "to build or complete" (Knobel), in the sense of קרה, as the only meaning which this word has is contignare, to join with beams or rafters; and this is obviously unsuitable here. Through these directions, which are repeated and still further expanded in Deuteronomy 19:1-13 , God fulfilled the promise which He gave in Exodus 21:13 : that He would appoint a place for the man who should unintentionally slay his neighbour, to which he might flee from the avenger of blood.

[Reformed Biblical] rs 35:8 ## Ye shall give many: compare Num_33:54 Jos_20:2. Numbers 35:9 Numbers 35:10 Numbers 35:11 i.e. Not wilfully, designedly, or maliciously, but inconsiderately, through mistake, or indiscretion, or carelessness. See Lev_4:2. Numbers 35:12 ## The avenger, to wit, of the party slain, or, of blood , as it is fully expressed below, Num_35:19 ,25 ; Heb. from the redeemer , or, from the next kinsman , to whom by the law belonged the right of redemption of the lands of, and vindication of the injury done to the person deceased. ## Die not, i.e. be not killed by the avenger meeting him in some other place. ## Before the congregation, i.e. before the society or convention of judges or elders, who were appointed in every city for the decision of criminal causes, who were twenty-three, who were to examine the matter, and that publicly before the people, whether the murder was wilful or casual. Quest. In what city was this cause to be tried? Answ. Some say in the city of refuge, others say in the city in or near which the fact was committed.

[Reformed Biblical] nto the death of the high priest; partly because the public grief for the loss of so public a person was likely to assuage the private griefs and passions of men, the rather, because by this example they were minded of their own mortality, and thereby withheld from taking vengeance; and principally to show that the death of Christ (the true High Priest, whom the others did evidently and eminently represent and typify) is the only mean whereby sins are pardoned, and sinners are set at liberty. Numbers 35:26 Numbers 35:27 i.e. Not liable to punishment from men, though not free from guilt before God, because he kills an innocent person, as appears from Deu_19:10. This God ordained to oblige the man-slayer to abide in his city of refuge. See Num_35:32. Numbers 35:28 Numbers 35:29 Numbers 35:30 No judge shall condemn any man to death upon a single testimony. Numbers 35:31 No intercession nor ransom shall be accepted to save his life, or procure him a pardon. Numbers 35:32 Whereby God would signify the absolute and indispensable necessity of Christ’s death to expiate sin, and to redeem the sinner. Numbers 35:33 These words are added as a reason not of the last law, Num_35:32, for in that case the land was cleansed without the blood of the man-slayer. but of the law next foregoing that, Num_35:31, in which case it holds; and the sense is, If you shall spare the murderer, or take any satisfaction for him, you do together wit h yourselves i