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William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:1-34

THE CITIES OF REFUGENumbers 35:1-34; Numbers 36:1-131. THE INHERITANCE OF THE LEVITESThe order relating to the Levitical cities may be said to describe an ideal settlement. We have, at all events, no evidence that the command was ever fully carried out. It was to the effect that in forty-eight cities, scattered throughout the whole of the tribes in proportion to their population, dwellings were to be allotted to the Levites, who were also to have the suburbs of those cities; that is to say, the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Numbers 35:1-34

11. The Cities of Refuge CHAPTER 35 1. The provision of the Levites: Forty-eight cities (Numbers 35:1-8 ) 2. The cities of refuge (Numbers 35:9-34 ) The cities of the Levites were scattered through the land. Genesis 49:7 is therefore fulfilled. The provision of cities for refuge is full of interest. The careful study of the purpose of these cities is recommended. Note especially that they were provided to give shelter for those who had killed a person unawares. The avenger of blood... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:1-34

CITIES GIVEN TO THE LEVITES (vs.1-8) The Levites had no tribal possession, but were to be scattered among the tribes so as to serve and teach the ways of the Lord (Deuteronomy 33:10). Therefore the tribes were required to give cities to the Levites where they might have tribes were required to give cities to the Levites where they might have land around the cities where they could care for their livestock (vs.1-3). Among these cities six were to be appointed as cities of refuge (v.6), and 42... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:1-34

CITIES OF THE LEVITES , CITIES OF REFUGE We may conclude our exposition of Numbers with this chapter, as the final one contains no difficulties not dealt with in previous lessons, or that are not explained in the text itself. THE CITIES OF THE LEVITES (Numbers 35:1-5 ) As the Levites were to have no domain like the other tribes, they were to be distributed throughout the land in certain cities appropriated to their use; and these cities were to be surrounded by extensive suburbs. There... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Numbers 35:9-34

As one and the same subject is continued through these verses, I have not interrupted the Reader in its perusal, until he hath arrived at the close of it, in the end of the chapter. But it will be now proper to make a pause, and to take a serious and leisurely survey of the whole. And first, how sweet and refreshing is it to behold in those cities of refuge, the lively type of our Almighty Refuge, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. What murder have not you and I committed against our own souls, by sin;... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:9-34

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... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Numbers 35:9-34

Regulations Concerning the Cities of Refuge v. 9. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, v. 10. Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan, v. 11. then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the slayer may flee thither which killeth any person at unawares, by error, inadvertently, without premeditation or malice. v. 12. And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger (of blood), that the... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Numbers 35:1-34

THIRTEENTH SECTIONRegulations for the Levitical Cities and the Cities of RefugeNumbers 35:01And the Lord spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, 2Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites, of the inheritance of their possession, cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them. 3And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods,... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Numbers 35:16-34

the Penalty for the Murderer Numbers 35:16-34 For murder the penalty was death, Numbers 35:30-31 ; but for accidental homicide there was freedom within the city limits until the death of the high priest, when all these refugees might return to their homes with impunity. The institution of the blood-avenger was almost a necessity in those lands of scattered population and without communal organization. Here, without destroying the practice, it has been placed under careful limitations. We are... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:1-34

It will be remembered that the Levites were not permitted to hold, any inheritance in the land. Jehovah was the portion of their inheritance. Provision was now made for them. Forty-eight cities scattered throughout the whole land were to be the places of their abode. This scattering of the servants of the Tabernacle through the length and breadth of the land was a beneficent arrangement. Nothing is said of religious service to be rendered by them in their own cities. They were rather to go up... read more

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