Numbers 35:1-15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:12

Until he stand before the congregation in judgment - So one of these cities was not a perpetual asylum; It was only a pro tempore refuge, till the case could be fairly examined by the magistrates in the presence of the people, or the elders their representatives; and this was done in the city or place where he had done the murder, Joshua 20:4 , Joshua 20:6 . If he was found worthy of death, they delivered him to the avenger that he might be slain, Deuteronomy 19:12 ; if not, they sent... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:1

Verse 1 1.And the Lord spake unto Moses. Although there was no inheritance assigned to the tribe of Levi, yet it was necessary that they should be supplied with dwelling-places. No lands were given then where they might sow and reap; but by way of compensation the tithes were a sufficient means of subsistence, even after deducting the tithes which were paid to the poor. God now, however, makes provision for their residences; and here we must carefully remark, that they were so distributed over... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:4

Verse 4 4.And the suburbs of the cities. A discrepancy here appears, from whence a question arises; for Moses first limits the suburbs to a thousand cubits from the city in every direction; and then seems to extend them to two thousand. Some thus explain the difficulty, viz., that the parts nearest to the city were destined for cottages and gardens; and that then there was another space of a thousand cubits left free for their flocks and herds; but this seems only to be invented, in order to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:10

Verse 10 10.Speak unto the children of Israel God appointed the cities of refuge, not only to make distinction between sills of malice and error, but also lest innocent blood should be rashly shed. Thus far we have seen how severely He would have murder punished: but, inasmuch as it would have been by no means just that he, who had not willfully but accidentally killed his neighbor, should be hurried away to the same punishment, to which willful murderers were subjected, an exception is added... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:2

Suburbs - Rather, “pasture-grounds,” required for their large cattle, for their sheep and goats, and for all their beasts whatever they might be Numbers 35:3. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:5

From without the city - Omit “from.” The demarcation here intended would run parallel to the wall of the city, outside which it was made. To guard against any restrictions of area, due to such causes as the irregular forms of the cities or the physical obstacles of the ground, it was ordained that the suburb should, alike on north, south, east, and west, present, at a distance of one thousand cubits (or, nearly one-third of a mile) from the wall, a front not less than two thousand cubits in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:6

The Levitical cities were in an special manner the Lord’s; and therefore the places of refuge, where the manslayer might remain under the protection of a special institution devised by divine mercy, were appropriately selected from among them. No doubt also the Priests and Levites would be the fittest persons to administer the law in the doubtful cases which would be sure to occur: compare Numbers 35:24 note. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:8

Nine cities were eventually given to the Levites from the large joint inheritance of Judah and Simeon; three were taken from the territory of Naphtali, and the other tribes gave each four apiece. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:12

The avenger - Hebrew גאל gā'al, a term of which the original import is uncertain. The very obscurity of its etymology testifies to the antiquity of the office which it denotes. That office rested on the principle of Genesis 9:6, “whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.” The unwritten code of the East conceded to the nearest kinsman of a murdered man the right of avenging the blood that had been shed. Such rude justice necessarily involved grave evils. It gave no opportunity... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 35:2

Numbers 35:2. That they give unto the Levites cities The reason of this appointment was, that the Levites, being a body of people distinct from the rest of the nation, had no share in the division of the country. It is to be observed that the priests, the sons of Aaron, being also of the tribe of Levi, are here comprehended under the common name of Levites, as well as those inferior ministers of religion generally signified by that term. read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 35:2

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