Numbers 35:16-25

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 35:16

And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die ,.... As with an hatchet, hammer, sword, knife, &c.; he is a murderer ; the instrument used by him, and with which he smote, shows that he had a bad design, and intended to kill, or he would never have smitten a man with such an instrument: the murderer shall surely be put to death ; be condemned to death, and be executed, by the order of the civil magistrate, according to the law in Genesis 9:6 and not be allowed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:17

And if he smite him with throwing a stone ,.... "Or with a stone of the hand" F17 באבן יד . , which the Jews interpret of a stone so big as to fill a man's hand, and so wherewith he may die ; at whom it is thrown; is sufficient to cause his death, if struck with it; so the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it of a"stone of fulness of hands, which is sufficient that a man may die with it,'or be killed by it: and he die ; by the blow he receives from it, either immediately or in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:18

Or if he smote him with an hand weapon of wood ,.... A stick, or staff, or club: wherewith he may die, and he die ; which is sufficient to kill a man, as the same Targum explains it; and a man dies with the blow that is given him by it: he is a murderer, and the murderer shall surely be put to death ; no pardon given him, or the benefit of the city of refuge allowed him. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:19

The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer ,.... Not only shall have power to do it, but, as it seems, should be obliged to do it; be the executioner of the murderer; but not before his case has been heard, examined, tried, and judged; wherefore the Targum of Jonathan adds,"in judgment,'that is, as Onkelos explains it,"when he is condemned by judgment,'the court of judicature: when he meeteth him he shall slay him ; the first opportunity he has, even though, as Jarchi says, if... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:20

But if he thrust him of hatred ,.... Or, "and if" F18 ואם "et si", Pagninus, Montanus. , since the Scripture is still speaking of such that shall die for murder, though in another instance, without having the privilege of a city of refuge; if he thrusts him with a sword or knife, or rather, since, if anything of that kind is included in the first instance of smiting with an instrument of iron, push him down from an high place, as Aben Ezra; so the men of Nazareth intended to have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:21

Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die ,.... Give him a blow with his fist, on some part of his body where life is most in danger, and which issues in death: he that smote him shall surely be put to death, for he is a murderer ; and therefore, according to the original law, ought to die, without reprieve or pardon; and notwithstanding this law made for cities of refuge, which were to be denied him: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer when he meeteth him : that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:22

But if he thrust him suddenly, without enmity ,.... Push him from a precipice, before he is aware, without any malicious design against his life, but merely through accident: or have cast upon him anything ; from the top of a house, or from a building he is pulling down, or pushes a bowing wall upon him, not knowing that he is passing by it: and without lying of wait : or having contrived to do it, just as he goes along, or in any other similar way. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:23

Or with any stone wherewith a man may die ,.... Which is sufficient to kill a man, if thrown at him: seeing him not ; and so without intention: the Jews F19 Misn. Maccot, c. 2. sect. 3. from hence gather, that a blind man is to be acquitted and dismissed, and not banished and so stands in no need of a city of refuge; though others say he is to be banished, and needs it, and ought to have the privilege of it: and cast it upon him that he die ; casting, it upon another account,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:24

Then the congregation ,.... That is, the court of judicature, assembled together to hear and try this cause: shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood ; shall hear what both have to say, and pass sentence: according to these judgments ; these judicial laws and rules of judgment before delivered, exemplified in various cases. read more

Group of Brands