Numbers chapter 35 details the allocation of cities to the Levites, including the establishment of cities of refuge. These cities provided sanctuary for individuals who unintentionally caused another's death, protecting them from the revenger of blood. The chapter clearly distinguishes between intentional murder, which warranted the death penalty, and accidental manslaughter, which allowed for refuge until the high priest's death. It also emphasizes the necessity of capital punishment for murderers to prevent the defilement of the land.
“Command the children of Israel to give to the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in. You shall give suburbs for the cities around them to the Levites.
You shall measure outside of the city for the east side two thousand cubits, and for the south side two thousand cubits, and for the west side two thousand cubits, and for the north side two thousand cubits, the city being in the middle. This shall be the suburbs of their cities.
“The cities which you shall give to the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the man slayer to flee to. Besides them you shall give forty-two cities.
Concerning the cities which you shall give of the possession of the children of Israel, from the many you shall take many; and from the few you shall take few. Everyone according to his inheritance which he inherits shall give some of his cities to the Levites.”
For the children of Israel, and for the stranger and for the foreigner living among them, shall these six cities be for refuge; that everyone who kills any person unwittingly may flee there.
Or if he struck him with a weapon of wood in the hand, by which a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death.
or in hostility struck him with his hand, so that he died, he who struck him shall surely be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death, when he meets him.
The congregation shall deliver the man slayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, where he had fled. He shall dwell therein until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.
and the avenger of blood finds him outside of the border of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood kills the man slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood,
because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest, the man slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
“‘So you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land. No atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, but by the blood of him who shed it.
You shall not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I, the LORD, dwell in the midst of the children of Israel.’”
Study Notes for Numbers 35
Verse 1
This command is given just before Israel enters Canaan, ensuring the Levites—who received no territorial inheritance—are provided for by the community.
Verse 2
The Levites, dedicated to priestly and sanctuary service, needed cities for residence and pastureland ('suburbs') for their necessary livestock.
Verse 4
The measurements are detailed: 1,000 cubits (approx. 1,500 feet) outward from the city wall for pasture, ensuring sufficient grazing area.
Verse 6
Out of the 48 total cities given to the Levites, six were designated as special sanctuaries for those who committed accidental homicide.
Verse 8
The burden of providing these cities was distributed fairly among the tribes based on the size of their inheritance and population, ensuring equitable contribution.
Verse 11
The primary purpose of the Cities of Refuge was to protect individuals who killed 'at unawares' (unintentionally or accidentally) from immediate revenge.
Verse 12
The refuge protected the slayer from the *go’el haddam* (avenger of blood) until a legal judgment could be rendered by the congregation.
Verse 15
This law demonstrates remarkable equity, extending the protection of the Cities of Refuge to resident aliens and sojourners as well as native Israelites.
Verse 16
This section begins to distinguish intentional murder (premeditated violence using a deadly weapon) from accidental killing, requiring capital punishment for the former.
Verse 19
The 'revenger of blood' (*go’el haddam*) was the closest male relative legally obligated to execute the identified murderer, upholding the principle of justice.
Verse 25
The congregation (local elders/judges) was responsible for determining the facts and returning the slayer to the city of refuge if the killing was accidental.
Verse 28
The death of the High Priest served as a symbolic atonement, marking the end of the slayer's exile and allowing him to return to his family land without fear of the avenger.
Verse 30
This verse establishes the fundamental rule that capital punishment requires the testimony of at least two witnesses, a standard repeated throughout the Law (Deut. 19:15).
Verse 31
This prohibition against accepting monetary ransom for a murderer underscores the sanctity of life; intentional murder could only be satisfied by the murderer's death.
Verse 33
Blood defiles the land because God dwells there. Justice (the execution of the murderer) is required to cleanse the land and maintain its ritual purity.
Verse 34
The presence of Yahweh among Israel necessitates strict adherence to these laws, as judicial failure would effectively pollute the land where God resides.
Use ←→ arrow keys to navigate
Settings
Reading Style
Typeface
Font Size px
The Calling of Disciples
19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Options
Choose a Book
Study Note
Bible Version
Recent History
Get the App
Add TrulyRandomVerse to your home screen for instant access
TRV