Numbers 35:6-34

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:24

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. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:25

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:26

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 said F24 Maimon. 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:27

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. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:28

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:29

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, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:30

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:31

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:32

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:33

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" F2 לא יכפר "non posset... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:28

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:29

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:30

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:31

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:32

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:33

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