Numbers 35:31 NIV

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Numbers 35:31-32

(31, 32) Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer . . . —The Israelites were not allowed to make terms with the relatives of the man who had been slain, as is not unfrequently the case at the present time; nor were they permitted to allow the man who had slain any one unintentionally to return home from the city of refuge before the death of the high priest, on the payment of a sum of money by way of compensation. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Numbers 35:1-34

Jesus Christ Our Refuge Numbers 35:6 I. The Cities of Refuge were so placed, three on either side of Jordan, that they provided the greatest possible readiness of access. The devout imagination has always pictured for the cities conditions almost ideal in character. The gates of the cities, like those of the New Jerusalem, were to be kept always open, both day and night. The refugee, whether an Israelite or a stranger, was safe the moment he entered the gate of the city of refuge. This... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:1-34

THE CITIES OF REFUGENumbers 35:1-34; Numbers 36:1-131. THE INHERITANCE OF THE LEVITESThe order relating to the Levitical cities may be said to describe an ideal settlement. We have, at all events, no evidence that the command was ever fully carried out. It was to the effect that in forty-eight cities, scattered throughout the whole of the tribes in proportion to their population, dwellings were to be allotted to the Levites, who were also to have the suburbs of those cities; that is to say, the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Numbers 35:1-34

11. The Cities of Refuge CHAPTER 35 1. The provision of the Levites: Forty-eight cities (Numbers 35:1-8 ) 2. The cities of refuge (Numbers 35:9-34 ) The cities of the Levites were scattered through the land. Genesis 49:7 is therefore fulfilled. The provision of cities for refuge is full of interest. The careful study of the purpose of these cities is recommended. Note especially that they were provided to give shelter for those who had killed a person unawares. The avenger of blood... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Numbers 35:31

35:31 Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which [is] {m} guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.(m) Who purposely committed murder. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:1-34

CITIES GIVEN TO THE LEVITES (vs.1-8) The Levites had no tribal possession, but were to be scattered among the tribes so as to serve and teach the ways of the Lord (Deuteronomy 33:10). Therefore the tribes were required to give cities to the Levites where they might have tribes were required to give cities to the Levites where they might have land around the cities where they could care for their livestock (vs.1-3). Among these cities six were to be appointed as cities of refuge (v.6), and 42... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:1-34

CITIES OF THE LEVITES , CITIES OF REFUGE We may conclude our exposition of Numbers with this chapter, as the final one contains no difficulties not dealt with in previous lessons, or that are not explained in the text itself. THE CITIES OF THE LEVITES (Numbers 35:1-5 ) As the Levites were to have no domain like the other tribes, they were to be distributed throughout the land in certain cities appropriated to their use; and these cities were to be surrounded by extensive suburbs. There... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Numbers 35:9-34

As one and the same subject is continued through these verses, I have not interrupted the Reader in its perusal, until he hath arrived at the close of it, in the end of the chapter. But it will be now proper to make a pause, and to take a serious and leisurely survey of the whole. And first, how sweet and refreshing is it to behold in those cities of refuge, the lively type of our Almighty Refuge, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. What murder have not you and I committed against our own souls, by sin;... 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