Numbers 35:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 35:1-8

The laws about the tithes and offerings had provided very plentifully for the maintenance of the Levites, but it was not to be thought, nor indeed was it for the public good, that when they came to Canaan they should all live about the tabernacle, as they had done in the wilderness, and therefore care must be taken to provide habitations for them, in which they might live comfortably and usefully. It is this which is here taken care of. I. Cities were allotted them, with their suburbs, Num.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:6

And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites ,.... The number of which is not yet expressed, but is afterwards: there shall be six cities for refuge ; a sort of asylums, of which there were many among the Heathens, perhaps in imitation of these, for persons to have recourse to for safety, when in danger of life: the Septuagint render the words, "cities of flight" F2 ערי המקלט πολεις των φυγαδευτηριων , Sept. ; or to flee unto, which certainly was the use of them:... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:6

The Levitical cities were in an special manner the Lord’s; and therefore the places of refuge, where the manslayer might remain under the protection of a special institution devised by divine mercy, were appropriately selected from among them. No doubt also the Priests and Levites would be the fittest persons to administer the law in the doubtful cases which would be sure to occur: compare Numbers 35:24 note. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 35:6-7

Numbers 35:6-7. Cities for refuge Or, of escape for manslayers. And these cities are assigned among the Levites, partly because they might be presumed to be the most proper and impartial judges between manslayers and wilful murderers; partly because their presence and authority would more effectually bridle the passions of the avenger of blood who might pursue him thither; and perhaps to signify that it is only in Christ (whom the Levitical priests represented) that sinners find refuge and... 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 35:6

six cities. See Deuteronomy 4:41 .Joshua 20:2 , Joshua 20:7 , Joshua 20:8 ; Joshua 21:3 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Numbers 35:6

"And the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which ye shall give for the manslayer to flee unto: and besides them ye shall give forty and two cities. All the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities; them shall ye give with their suburbs. And concerning the cities which ye shall give of the possession of the children of Israel, from the many ye shall take many; and from the few ye shall take few: everyone... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Numbers 35:6-15

Numbers 35:6-15. And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites, there shall be six cities for refuge, &c.— The cities of the Levites were appointed for this purpose, rather than any other, because they were a kind of sacred places inhabited by sacred persons; and here men might spend their time better than in other places, being among the ministers of religion. These cities of refuge were only for those who killed any person unawares, Num 35:11 i.e. unwittingly, or ignorantly,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:6

6. there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer—The establishment of those privileged sanctuaries among the cities of the Levites is probably traceable to the idea, that they would be the most suitable and impartial judges—that their presence and counsels might calm or restrain the stormy passions of the blood avenger—and that, from their being invested with the sacred character, they might be types of Christ, in whom sinners find a refuge from the destroyer... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Numbers 35:1-8

Levitical cities 35:1-8The previous chapter dealt with the general borders of the land and its tribal boundaries. This one gives regulations concerning special towns in the land. [Note: See Menahem Haran, "Studies in the Account of the Levitical Cities," Journal of Biblical Literature 80:1 (March 1961):45-54, and 80:2 (June 1961):156-65.] According to the plan of revelation established previously in Numbers, directions regarding the Levites follow directions regarding the other tribes (cf.... read more

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