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
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