Text: Numbers 35:9
OT Text Referred to: Exodus 21:13
Subject: asylum cities
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Allusion
Connection Method(s): None
Significance: Exodus 21:13 introduces the principle of asylum in seed form: "But if he did not lie in wait, but God let it happen, then I will appoint for you a place to which he may flee." This brief verse establishes that God Himself provides refuge for the unintentional killer. Numbers 35:9ff develops this single verse into a comprehensive system: six designated cities of refuge, specific criteria distinguishing murder from manslaughter, and procedural rules for trial and asylum duration. The progression from Exodus's general promise ("I will appoint a place") to Numbers's detailed legislation demonstrates how Pentateuchal law develops from foundational principle to institutional framework.
Consolidated 2026-06-09 per the later-text → earlier-text canonical-direction ruling (Full Corpus Audit, Phase 0). The content below is preserved verbatim from the deleted file "Exodus 21.13 to Numbers 35.9"; fold unique material into the Significance during the Phase 3 IP audit, then remove this section.
Text: Exodus 21:13
OT Text Referred to: Numbers 35:9
Subject: cities of asylum
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Allusion
Connection Method(s): None
Significance: Exodus 21:13 provides the foundational principle that an unintentional killer may flee to a divinely appointed place (מָקוֹם, maqom), and Numbers 35:9 begins the detailed legislation designating six cities of refuge (עָרֵי מִקְלָט, arey miqlat) for this purpose. The progression from a single "place" in Exodus to six named cities in Numbers reflects the institutionalization of asylum as Israel prepared to settle the land. Numbers specifies that these cities must be accessible to the resident alien (גֵּר, ger) as well as the native Israelite (Num 35:15), extending the Exodus principle to all inhabitants of the land regardless of origin.