Numbers 35:30

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 35:9-34

We have here the orders given concerning the cities of refuge, fitly annexed to what goes before, because they were all Levites? cities. In this part of the constitution there is a great deal both of good law and pure gospel. I. Here is a great deal of good law, in the case of murder and manslaughter, a case of which the laws of all nations have taken particular cognizance. It is here enacted and provided, consonant to natural equity, 1. That wilful murder should be punished with death, and in... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:30

But one witness shall not testify against any - This was a just and necessary provision. One may be mistaken, or so violently prejudiced as to impose even on his own judgment, or so wicked as to endeavor through malice to compass the life of his neighbor: but it is not likely that two or more should be of this kind; and even were they, their separate examination would lead to a discovery of the truth, and to their conviction. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:30

Verse 30 30.Whoso killeth any person, He now returns to willful murderers, whom he will not have spared, but yet not given over to punishment unless convicted by legal proofs. Literally it is, Whoso smiteth a soul, at the mouth of witnesses he shall slay him that slayeth: and this sentence is obscure, from its brevity, unless a noun be supplied before the second verb; and this may be understood either of the judges or the accuser. In the substance, however, there is no ambiguity, viz., that no... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:30

By the mouth of witnesses - i. e. two witnesses, at the least (compare the marginal references). The provisions of this and the following verses protect the enactments of this chapter from abuse. The cities of refuge were not intended to exempt a criminal from deserved punishment. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 35:30-31

Numbers 35:30-31. By the mouth of witnesses A wise precaution to prevent the shedding of innocent blood. If we may credit the Jews, where there was but one witness, and the person accused of murder could not, therefore, be put to death, yet he did not escape without punishment, but was thrown into a very strait prison, and there fed with bread and water. Ye shall take no satisfaction This rigid severity of the law served to impress the minds of the people with a deep sense of the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:1-34

Cities for the Levites (35:1-34)Levi had no tribal area of its own, but received cities, with surrounding pasture lands, in each of the other tribes. There were forty-eight Levitical cities, the number in each tribe being in proportion to the size of the tribe. This ensured that those responsible for teaching God’s law to the people were evenly scattered throughout Israel (35:1-8).Among these forty-eight cities were six cities of refuge, three west of Jordan and three east. These were cities... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Numbers 35:30

person = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . mouth. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the evidence given by it. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Numbers 35:30

Numbers 35:30. One witness shall not testify against any person— This is a wise precaution to prevent the shedding of innocent blood. The Jews tell us, that where there was but one witness, though he who was accused of the murder could not be put to death, yet he was thrown into a very strait prison, and there fed with bread and water. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Numbers 35:9-34

Cities of refuge 35:9-34Six of these Levitical towns were also cities of refuge.The appointment of cities of refuge was a divine provision for the safety of a killer who was not guilty of premeditated murder (cf. Deuteronomy 19:1-13; Joshua 20). God had told the Israelites not to murder (Exodus 20:13). The right and duty of man to execute murderers was ancient (Genesis 4:15; Genesis 9:5-6). Ancient Near Easterners practiced capital punishment widely as part of the law of retaliation. The Mosaic... read more

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