Numbers 35:6-34

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

Matthew Henry

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 35:6

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:7

So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty eight cities ,.... Of these forty eight cities, their names, and what tribes they were in, and which of them were particularly cities of refuge, an account is given in Joshua 21:10 , them shall ye give, with their suburbs ; according to the dimensions before prescribed. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:8

And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel ,.... What shall fall by lot for their inheritance, and they shall be possessed of; and though they are, shall not refuse, nor grudge to give them, according to the direction of God, whose the land is, they holding it under him: from them that have many ye shall give many, but from them that have few ye shall give few ; which rule was observed; for out of Judah, whose lot was large, and out of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:9

And the Lord spake unto Moses ,.... At the same time, or he continued his speech unto him: saying : as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:10

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them ,.... Now, directly: when ye come over Jordan into the land of Canaan ; as they quickly would, being now very near it, and of which there was the utmost certainty, since the Lord had promised to bring them over that river, and put them in possession of that land. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:11

Then ye shall appoint your cities to be cities of refuge for you ,.... And, according to the Jewish writers F9 Maimon. Rotzeach, c. 8. sect. 8. Vid. T. Bab. Maccot, fol. 10. 1. , these were neither to be made large nor little, but middling; and they appointed them where there were markets and fairs, at which goods were to be sold; and where there was plenty of water, and a multitude of people; and where there were but few, they fetched others from other places; and they neither made... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:12

And they shall be unto you cities of refuge from the avenger ,.... Or near kinsman; for as the right of redemption of an estate that was mortgaged belonged to such an one, so of revenging the blood of any one that was killed: that the manslayer die not ; by the hand of the avenger, who in the heat of his passion would, could he come at him, fall upon him, and slay him, to avenge the death of his relation on him: until he stand before the congregation in judgment ; before the court of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:13

And of these cities which ye shall give ,.... Of the forty eight cities they were to give to the Levites, Numbers 35:7 , six cities shall ye have for refuge ; which, I think, makes it clear, that not all the forty eight cities were for refuge, only six of them. read more

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