9 Then the Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 10 " Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan , 11 then you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge , that the manslayer who has killed any person unintentionally may flee there . 12 ' The cities shall be to you as a refuge from the avenger , so that the manslayer will not die until he stands before the congregation for trial . 13 'The cities which you are to give shall be your six cities of refuge . 14 'You shall give three cities across e the Jordan and three cities in the land of Canaan ; they are to be cities of refuge . 15 'These six cities shall be for refuge for the sons of Israel , and for the alien and for the sojourner among them; that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there . 16 ' But if he struck him down with an iron object , so that he died , he is a murderer ; the murderer shall surely be put to death . 17 'If he struck him down with a stone in the hand , by which he will die , and as a result he died , he is a murderer ; the murderer shall surely be put to death . 18 'Or if he struck him with a wooden object in the hand , by which he might die , and as a result he died , he is a murderer ; the murderer shall surely be put to death . 19 'The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death ; he shall put him to death when he meets him. 20 ' If he pushed him of hatred , or threw something at him lying in wait and as a result he died , 21 or if he struck him down with his hand in enmity , and as a result he died , the one who struck him shall surely be put to death , he is a murderer ; the blood avenger shall put the murderer to death when he meets him. 22 ' But if he pushed him suddenly without enmity , or threw something e at him without lying in wait , 23 or with any deadly e object of stone , and without seeing it dropped on him so that he died , while he was not his enemy nor seeking his injury , 24 then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the blood avenger according to these ordinances . 25 'The congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the blood avenger , and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge to which he fled ; and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil . 26 'But if the manslayer at any time goes beyond the border of his city of refuge to which he may flee , 27 and the blood avenger finds him outside e the border of his city of refuge , and the blood avenger kills the manslayer , he will not be guilty of blood 28 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 manslayer shall return to the land of his possession .
29 'These things shall be for a statutory ordinance to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings . 30 ' If anyone kills a person , the murderer shall be put to death at the evidence of witnesses , but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness . 31 'Moreover, you shall not take ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death , but he shall surely be put to death . 32 'You shall not take ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge , that he may return to live in the land before the death of the priest . 33 ' So you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except e by the blood of him who shed it. 34 'You shall not defile the land in which you live , in the midst of which I dwell ; for I the Lord am dwelling in the midst of the sons of Israel .' "
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 35:9-34
Commentary on Numbers 35:9-34
(Read Numbers 35:9-34)
To show plainly the abhorrence of murder, and to provide the more effectually for the punishment of the murderer, the nearest relation of the deceased, under the title of avenger of blood, (or the redeemer of blood,) in notorious cases, might pursue, and execute vengeance. A distinction is made, not between sudden anger and malice aforethought, both which are the crime of murder; but between intentionally striking a man with any weapon likely to cause death, and an unintentional blow. In the latter case alone, the city of refuge afforded protection. Murder in all its forms, and under all disguises, pollutes a land. Alas! that so many murders, under the name of duels, prize-fights, &c. should pass unpunished. There were six cities of refuge; one or other might be reached in less than a day's journey from any part of the land. To these, man-slayers might flee for refuge, and be safe, till they had a fair trial. If acquitted from the charge, they were protected from the avenger of blood; yet they must continue within the bounds of the city till the death of the high priest. Thus we are reminded that the death of the great High Priest is the only means whereby sins are pardoned, and sinners set at liberty. These cities are plainly alluded to, both in the Old and New Testament, we cannot doubt the typical character of their appointment. Turn ye to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope, saith the voice of mercy, Hebrews 6:18. The rich mercies of salvation, through Christ, prefigured by these cities, demand our regard. 1. Did the ancient city rear its towers of safety on high? See Christ raised up on the cross; and is he not exalted at the right hand of his Father, to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and remission of sins? 2. Does not the highway of salvation, resemble the smooth and plain path to the city of refuge? Survey the path that leads to the Redeemer. Is there any stumbling-block to be found therein, except that which an evil heart of unbelief supplies for its own fall? 3. Waymarks were set up pointing to the city. And is it not the office of the ministers of the gospel to direct sinners to Him? 4. The gate of the city stood open night and day. Has not Christ declared, Him that cometh unto me I will in nowise cast out? 5. The city of refuge afforded support to every one who entered its walls. Those who have reached the refuge, may live by faith on Him whose flesh is meat indeed, and whose blood is drink indeed. 6. The city was a refuge for all. In the gospel there is no respect of persons. That soul lives not which deserves not Divine wrath; that soul lives not which may not in simple faith hope for salvation and life eternal, through the Son of God.