Numbers 35:30-33 KJV

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

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:31

Ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer - No atonement could be made for him, nor any commutation, so as to save him from death. All the laws of the civilized world have either adjudged the murderer to death, or to a punishment equivalent to it; such as perpetual imprisonment, in a dungeon, under ground, on a stone floor, without light, and to be fed on a small portion of bread and water. In such circumstances a man could live but a short time; and though it is not called... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:32

Until the death of the priest - Probably intended to typify, that no sinner can be delivered from his banishment from God, or recover his forfeited inheritance, till Jesus Christ, the great high priest, had died for his offenses, and risen again for his justification. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:33

For blood it defileth the land - The very land was considered as guilty till the blood of the murderer was shed in it. No wonder God is so particularly strict in his laws against murderers, Because he is the author of life, and none have any right to dispose of it but himself. Because life is the time to prepare for the eternal world, and on it the salvation of the soul accordingly depends; therefore it is of infinite consequence to the man that his life be lengthened out to the utmost... 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

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

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:31

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:32

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:33

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

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