Numbers 35:25-28 NIV

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 35:25

And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood ,.... Put him under the care of proper persons, to conduct him to one of the cities of refuge, or put him in the way to it; and restrain the avenger of blood from pursuing him, until such time that it may be judged he is safe arrived there: and the congregation shall restore him to the city of refuge, whither he was fled ; so that it seems by this, when one had been guilty of manslaughter, and fled to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:26

But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge ,.... Which seems to be the three thousand cubits assigned to every city of the Levites, and so to the cities of refuge; and which, according to the Jewish writers, were a refuge, as the city itself; and it is said F24 Maimon. Hilchot Rotzeach, c. 8. sect. 11. Misn. Maccot, c. 2. sect. 7. ,"he, that kills a man there, is killed for him, but though the border is a refuge, the slayer does not dwell in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:27

And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge ,.... Without the suburbs, fields, and vineyards belonging to it: and the revenger of blood kill the slayer ; being exasperated against him, and to avenge the blood of his relation on him: he shall not be guilty of blood ; or be reckoned murderer, or die for it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:28

Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest ,.... Nothing could give him his liberty but his death; so that though this was a merciful provision made in such cases for such persons, and was a considerable benefit and privilege, yet it carried in it some appearance of a punishment; since such a person was confined within the boundaries of one of the cities of refuge as long as the high priest lived; and this was done to make persons cautious... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:28

Verse 28 28.Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge. The period of banishment is prescribed, “until the death of the high-priest,” because it would have been anything but humane that all hopes of restoration should have been cut off from the unhappy exile; and, when a new priest succeeded to reconcile the people to God, this renewal of grace was to propitiate all offenses. Wherefore it was not unreasonable that God should entirely restore those who were only punished for... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:16-25

The sense is: Inasmuch as to take another man’s life by any means whatsoever is murder, and exposes the murderer to the penalty of retaliation; so, if the deed is done in hostility, it is in truth actual murder, and the murderer shall be slain; but if it be not done in hostility, then the congregation shall interpose to stop the avenger’s hand.Numbers 35:19When he meeteth him - Provided, of course, it were without a city of refuge.Numbers 35:24The case of the innocent slayer is here... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 35:25

Numbers 35:25. He shall abide in it Shall be confined to it. Which was appointed, 1st, To show the hatefulness of murder in God’s account, by such a severe punishment, inflicted upon the very appearance of it: 2d, For the security of the manslayer, lest the presence of such a person, and his living among the kindred of the deceased, might occasion reproach and bloodshed: And, 3d, To teach others to be very watchful over themselves, lest by negligence they should chance to kill any one, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 35:27

Numbers 35:27. Not guilty Not liable to punishment from men, though not free of guilt before God. This God ordained, to oblige the manslayer to abide in his city of refuge. 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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:28

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 35:28

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 35:16-25

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 35:25

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 35:27

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:1-34

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