Numbers 35:11

KJV

Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then ye shall appoint {H7136} you cities {H5892} to be cities {H5892} of refuge {H4733} for you; that the slayer {H7523} may flee {H5127} thither, which killeth {H5221} any person {H5315} at unawares {H7684}.

Complete Jewish Bible

you are to designate for yourselves cities that will be cities of refuge for you, to which anyone who kills someone by mistake can flee.

Berean Standard Bible

designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there.

American Standard Version

then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly may flee thither.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 35:11 introduces a foundational provision within the Mosaic Law, mandating the establishment of specific "cities of refuge" throughout the land of Israel. These designated sanctuaries were divinely ordained to provide immediate protection and due process for individuals who had unintentionally caused the death of another, distinguishing such cases from premeditated murder and preventing the cycle of retaliatory blood vengeance. This system underscored God's meticulous concern for justice, mercy, and the sanctity of human life within the nascent Israelite society.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 35 is situated within the latter part of the book of Numbers, following the census of the new generation preparing to enter Canaan and preceding the final instructions before crossing the Jordan. Specifically, this chapter details the allocation of forty-eight cities to the tribe of Levi, who were not to receive a tribal inheritance of land like the other tribes ([Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "Numbers 35:1-8 - Cities for the Levites")). Six of these Levitical cities were then to be set apart as "cities of refuge." This instruction is part of God's comprehensive legal framework for the Israelites as they transitioned from nomadic life to settled existence in the Promised Land, ensuring that justice, even in cases of accidental death, would be administered according to divine principles rather than unchecked personal retribution. The subsequent verses ([Numbers 35:12-34](/numbers/35-12 "Numbers 35:12-34 - Laws for the Cities of Refuge")) elaborate on the legal procedures within these cities, including the role of the community, the trial process, and the conditions under which a slayer could leave the city.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the prevailing custom for homicide was "blood vengeance" (also known as the lex talionis, though this specific application was more about family retribution). A close relative of the slain individual, known as the "avenger of blood" (Hebrew: *go'el haddam*), had the right and often the societal expectation to kill the slayer. This system, while aiming to deter murder, often led to cycles of violence and feuds, especially when the killing was unintentional. The institution of cities of refuge in Israel was a revolutionary divine provision that mitigated this cycle by providing a legal, structured, and merciful alternative. It established a clear distinction between premeditated murder, which warranted the death penalty, and accidental killing, for which refuge was granted until a fair trial could determine intent. This system demonstrated God's desire for a more just and ordered society than was typical in the surrounding cultures.
* **Key Themes:** The establishment of cities of refuge in [Numbers 35](/numbers/35 "Numbers 35 - Cities for the Levites and Cities of Refuge") contributes significantly to several major themes within the Pentateuch and broader biblical narrative.
* **Justice and Mercy:** This system beautifully balances the absolute demand for justice for the victim and the sanctity of human life with the compassionate provision of mercy for the unintentional killer. It prevents arbitrary and vengeful killings while ensuring that even unintentional acts of homicide are not taken lightly, requiring a period of exile and a formal legal process.
* **Distinction of Intent:** A cornerstone of God's law, highlighted by the cities of refuge, is the critical difference between intentional, malicious homicide and accidental death. This principle, also seen in other legal codes like [Exodus 21:12-14](/exodus/21-12 "Exodus 21:12-14 - Laws Concerning Homicide"), required careful examination of the circumstances surrounding a death, demonstrating God's concern for fairness and truth in judgment.
* **Protection of Life:** The cities served as divinely appointed sanctuaries, preserving the life of someone who killed "at unawares" until a proper, impartial trial could be held by the elders of the city. This provision underscores the high value God places on human life, even that of an individual who has caused death, ensuring their safety from immediate, potentially unjust retribution.
* **The Law of Moses:** This detailed provision is a prime example of the comprehensive and often nuanced legal code given by God to govern Israelite society. It illustrates the divine origin and wisdom of the Mosaic Law, which sought to establish a just, orderly, and morally upright nation, distinct from its pagan neighbors.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **appoint (Hebrew, _nātan'_):** This verb means "to give," "to place," or "to set." In this context, it carries the weight of a divine command for the Israelites to actively designate and establish these cities. It's not a suggestion but an imperative, highlighting the importance of this provision in God's legal framework for the nation. The responsibility for setting up and maintaining this system rests squarely on the community.
* **unawares (Hebrew, _bishgaga'_):** This adverbial phrase is crucial for understanding the purpose of the cities of refuge. It derives from the root *shagag*, meaning "to err," "to go astray," or "to do something unintentionally." Thus, "at unawares" signifies an action committed "by error," "unintentionally," "accidentally," or "without malice aforethought." This term explicitly differentiates such a killing from deliberate, premeditated murder (Hebrew: *ratsach*), which carried the death penalty without any right to refuge. The entire system of refuge hinged on this distinction of intent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you;":** This opening clause functions as a direct divine command to the Israelites. The phrase "appoint you cities" emphasizes their active role and responsibility in establishing these sanctuaries. The repetition of "cities to be cities of refuge" underscores the singular, vital purpose of these locations—they are not merely safe havens but formally designated legal institutions designed specifically for this function. They are "for you," meaning for the benefit and order of the entire Israelite community, ensuring justice and preventing unchecked vengeance.
* **"that the slayer may flee thither,":** This clause states the immediate practical purpose of the cities of refuge. They are places of flight, providing an accessible and recognized destination for an individual who has caused a death. The act of "fleeing thither" implies urgency and the need for immediate protection from the "avenger of blood," establishing the city as a sanctuary from the initial, potentially violent, response.
* **"which killeth any person at unawares.":** This final clause precisely defines *who* is eligible for refuge. The eligibility is strictly limited to one "which killeth any person at unawares," meaning unintentionally, accidentally, or without any prior malice or intent to harm. This crucial qualifier distinguishes the accidental killer, who is granted refuge and a fair trial, from the deliberate murderer, who is not afforded such protection and faces immediate capital punishment. It is the core legal principle governing the entire system.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 35:11 primarily employs **Legal Prescription** and **Contrast**. As a **Legal Prescription**, the verse functions as a direct, imperative command from God, outlining a specific legal institution to be established by the Israelites. The language is precise and prescriptive, typical of covenant law, leaving no ambiguity about the necessity and purpose of the cities. Furthermore, the verse implicitly, yet powerfully, uses **Contrast**. By explicitly stating that refuge is for those who kill "at unawares," it immediately sets up a stark contrast with intentional, premeditated murder. This distinction is foundational to the entire legal system of the cities of refuge, highlighting God's meticulous concern for intent and due process, a principle that elevates Israelite law above the more simplistic retribution common in surrounding cultures. The concept of a "refuge" itself also carries a symbolic weight, representing a divinely provided haven of safety and justice in a world prone to chaos and injustice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The institution of the cities of refuge profoundly reveals God's character as both perfectly just and profoundly merciful. He is a God who demands accountability for the taking of human life, upholding its sanctity, yet He also provides a way for grace and due process where intent is not malicious. This system demonstrates God's desire for an ordered society governed by equitable laws, preventing anarchy and endless blood feuds. It underscores the divine value of every human life, even that of an accidental killer, by providing a path to safety and a fair hearing. The cities of refuge were a tangible expression of God's wisdom, balancing the needs of the victim's family for justice with the need for compassion and discernment for the accused. This intricate legal provision foreshadows a deeper spiritual truth about God's provision of refuge for humanity.

* [Deuteronomy 19:4](/deuteronomy/19-4 "Law of Refuge for Accidental Homicide")
* [Joshua 20:2](/joshua/20-2 "Appointment of Cities of Refuge")
* [Exodus 21:12-14](/exodus/21-12 "Laws Concerning Homicide and Intent")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The ancient provision of cities of refuge offers profound insights for contemporary reflection and application. It teaches us the critical importance of discerning intent in our judgments of others, moving beyond immediate reactions to seek a deeper understanding of circumstances. In a world often quick to condemn, this biblical principle calls us to exercise patience, gather facts, and allow for due process, whether in legal systems, interpersonal conflicts, or even self-judgment. It reminds us that justice is not merely about punishment but also about fairness, mercy, and the preservation of life. Spiritually, while we no longer have physical cities of refuge, the underlying need for sanctuary from the consequences of our actions, or from the accusations of a broken world, remains. This draws our hearts to the ultimate refuge found in Christ, who offers a safe haven from sin's condemnation and provides a path to reconciliation and new life. The cities of refuge, therefore, serve as a timeless reminder of God's meticulous care for justice, His boundless mercy, and His desire for order and peace within His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's provision of cities of refuge reveal His character, particularly His balance of justice and mercy?**
* **In what ways does the concept of distinguishing intent, as seen in the cities of refuge, challenge our own tendencies to judge others quickly or superficially?**
* **How can the principles embedded in the cities of refuge—such as due process, protection for the vulnerable, and the pursuit of truth—be applied in our modern legal systems or even in our personal relationships?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the cities of refuge?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the cities of refuge was to provide a divinely ordained sanctuary and a system of due process for individuals who had unintentionally caused the death of another person. In ancient Israel, the custom of blood vengeance meant that a close relative of the deceased (the "avenger of blood") had the right to kill the slayer. The cities of refuge mitigated this cycle of retribution by offering a safe haven for the unintentional killer until a fair trial could be held by the elders of the city. This system ensured that a crucial distinction was made between premeditated murder, which warranted the death penalty, and accidental homicide, which required a period of exile but not immediate execution. It was a profound expression of God's justice, mercy, and His desire for an ordered society that valued human life and due process.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The cities of refuge, established in the Old Testament, serve as a powerful type and shadow pointing to the ultimate refuge found in Jesus Christ. Just as the unintentional slayer fled to a city of refuge for protection from the avenger of blood, so too does humanity, guilty of sin (often "at unawares" in its full implications, or certainly without full comprehension of its eternal consequences), flee to Christ for refuge from the condemnation of the Law and the ultimate avenger, Satan. The cities offered a place of safety, but required the slayer to remain there until the death of the high priest ([Numbers 35:28](/numbers/35-28 "Numbers 35:28 - Return of the Slayer")), at which point they could return home. This foreshadows Christ, our Great High Priest, whose sacrificial death on the cross not only provides refuge but also secures our complete freedom and allows us to return to a reconciled relationship with God, no longer under condemnation ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). He is our advocate ([1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Christ Our Advocate")), our secure dwelling place ([Psalm 91:1-2](/psalms/91-1 "Psalm 91:1-2 - God Our Refuge")), and the hope to which we "flee for refuge" ([Hebrews 6:18](/hebrews/6-18 "Hebrews 6:18 - Fleeing for Refuge to Hope")). In Him, we find not just temporary safety, but eternal salvation and reconciliation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 21:13

And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver [him] into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.

Joshua 20:2

Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:

Numbers 35:6

And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites [there shall be] six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.

Numbers 35:22

But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,

Numbers 35:25

And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.

Deuteronomy 4:42

That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:

Deuteronomy 19:1

¶ When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses;