Numbers 35:30-34

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:33

Defile not. To inspire a greater horror for murder the earth was represented as defiled by blood, and only to be purified by the death of the criminal. Without shedding of blood, there is no remission, Hebrews ix. 22. (Haydock) --- On the same principle, our churches, &c., are deemed profane when murder, or some great indecencies, have been committed in them, so that they require a fresh consecration. (Calmet) 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

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:20-34

Further Examples. Numbers 35:20-21 “ And if he thrust him of hatred, or hurled at him, lying in wait, so that he died, or in enmity smote him with his hand, so that he died; he that smote 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.” Here not only premeditated intent as indicated by the instrument used, but also knowledge of the persons involved and the circumstances of the death were taken into account. Was it... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:9-34

Numbers 35:9-Nahum : . Conditions Limiting the Privilege of Sanctuary.— Anciently the holiness of a sanctuary extended to all who came in contact with it, so that the right of asylum was liable to be abused; but by this law protection at a city of refuge was to be refused to those homicides who in the judgment of the community, on the evidence of two witnesses, were guilty of murder, as inferred from ( a) the existence of previous enmity or evidence of premeditation, ( b) the use of a... read more

Matthew Poole