Introduction
Overview
Numbers 35 . 1 , Eight and forty cities for the Levites , with their suburbs , and measure thereof; Numbers 35 . 6 , Six of them are to be cities of refuge; Numbers 35 . 9 , The laws of murder and manslaughter; Numbers 35 . 31 , No satisfaction for murder.
Numbers 22 . 1 , Numbers 26 . 63 , Numbers 31 . 12 , Numbers 33 . 50 , Numbers 36 . 13
Reciprocal . Numbers 26 . 3 . General Joshua 21 . 41 . within 1 Chronicles 6 . 54 . these are Ezekiel 48 . 10 . for the priests
Leviticus 25 . 32 , Leviticus 25 . 33 , Joshua 14 . 3 , Joshua 14 . 4 , Joshua 21 . 2-42 , Ezekiel 45 . 1-8 , Ezekiel 48 . 8 , Ezekiel 48 . 22 , 1 Corinthians 9 . 10-14
Reciprocal . Numbers 26 . 57 . these are Numbers 26 . 62 . those that Deuteronomy 18 . 6 . come Deuteronomy 33 . 11 . his substance 1 Chronicles 6 . 64 . with their 1 Chronicles 13 . 2 . their cities and suburbs 2 Chronicles 11 . 14 . suburbs 2 Chronicles 31 . 19 . the fields Nehemiah 13 . 10 . to his field Jeremiah 32 . 7 . for
Joshua 21 . 11 , 2 Chronicles 11 . 14 , Ezekiel 45 . 2
Reciprocal . Numbers 26 . 57 . these are Deuteronomy 18 . 6 . come Joshua 21 . 8 . by lot
thousand cubits . The Septuagint reads היףקיכיןץע נחקויע "two thousand cubits ," as in the following #### Verse; but this reading is not acknowledged by any other ancient version , except the Coptic , nor by any of the manuscripts collated by Kennicott and De Rossi. Various modes have been proposed for reconciling the accounts in these two #### Verses , which appear in general to require full as much explanation as the text itself. The explanation of Maimonides is the only one that is intelligible , and appears perfectly satisfactory. "The suburbs ," says he , "of the cities are expressed in the law to be 3 ,000 cubits on every side , from the wall of the city and outwards. The first 1 ,000 cubits are the suburbs; and the 2 ,000 , which they measured without the suburbs , were for fields and vineyards." The whole therefore , of the city , suburbs , fields , and vineyards , may be represented by the following diagram .
Fields and vineyards Suburbs City 1 ,000; Cubits 2 ,000; Cubits
six cities for refuge . Numbers 35 . 13 , Numbers 35 . 14 , Deuteronomy 4 . 41-43 , Joshua 20 . 2-9, Joshua 21 . 3 , Joshua 21 . 13 , Joshua 21 . 21 , Joshua 21 . 27 , Joshua 21 . 32 , Joshua 21 . 36 , Joshua 21 . 38 , Psalm 9 . 9 , Psalm 62 . 7 , Psalm 62 . 8 , Psalm 142 . 4 , Psalm 142 . 5 , Isaiah 4 . 6 , Matthew 11 . 28 , Hebrews 6 . 18
to them ye shall add . Heb. above them ye shall give
Reciprocal . Numbers 35 . 11 . ye shall appoint Deuteronomy 4 . 42 . General
Joshua 21 . 3-42 , 1 Chronicles 6 . 54-81
possession . Genesis 49 . 7 , Exodus 32 . 28 , Exodus 32 . 29 , Deuteronomy 33 . 8-11 , Joshua 21 . 3
from them . Numbers 26 . 54 , Numbers 33 . 54 , Exodus 16 . 18 , 2 Corinthians 8 . 13 , 2 Corinthians 8 . 14
he inheriteth . Heb. they inherit
Reciprocal . Joshua 21 . 4 . the tribe
Numbers 34 . 2 , Leviticus 14 . 34 , Leviticus 25 . 2 , Deuteronomy 12 . 9 , Deuteronomy 19 . 1 , Deuteronomy 19 . 2
ye shall appoint . As the goel , or kinsman , had a right to avenge the death of his relation , by slaying the murderer wherever he found him , the appointment of these cities was a humane institution for the protection of the involuntary homicide; for they were designed only for the protection of such Numbers 35 . 6 , Joshua 20 . 2
unawares . Heb. by error , Numbers 35 . 22 , Numbers 35 . 23 , Exodus 21 . 13 , Deuteronomy 4 . 42 , Deuteronomy 19 . 4 , Deuteronomy 19 . 5
Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 17 . 8 . between blood 2 Kings 7 . 7 . and fled for their life Hebrews 6 . 18 . who
from the avenger . Numbers 35 . 19 , Numbers 35 . 25-27 , Deuteronomy 19 . 6 , Joshua 20 . 3-6 , Joshua 20 . 9 , 2 Samuel 14 . 7
until he stand . Numbers 35 . 24 , Deuteronomy 19 . 11 , Deuteronomy 19 . 12 , Joshua 20 . 4-6
Reciprocal . Numbers 8 . 9 . shalt gather the whole Deuteronomy 4 . 42 . General Joshua 20 . 5 . General Joshua 20 . 6 . until 2 Kings 7 . 7 . and fled for their life Matthew 5 . 21 . and
six cities . Numbers 35 . 6
Reciprocal . 1 Chronicles 6 . 57 . the city of refuge
three cities . Deuteronomy 4 . 41-43 , Deuteronomy 19 . 8-10 , Joshua 20 . 7-9
Reciprocal . Numbers 35 . 6 . six cities for refuge Deuteronomy 1 . 1 . on this Proverbs 28 . 17 . General
Numbers 15 . 16 , Exodus 12 . 49 , Leviticus 24 . 22 , Romans 3 . 29 , Galatians 3 . 28
Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 4 . 41 . General Deuteronomy 4 . 42 . General Deuteronomy 19 . 4 . the slayer Joshua 20 . 2 . you refuge Joshua 20 . 9 . the cities 2 Samuel 14 . 14 . he devise
if he smite . Numbers 35 . 22-24 , Deuteronomy 19 . 11-13
the . Numbers 35 . 30-33 , Genesis 9 . 5 , Genesis 9 . 6 , Exodus 21 . 12-14 , Leviticus 24 . 17
Reciprocal . Exodus 20 . 13 . General Exodus 21 . 18 . a stone Deuteronomy 17 . 8 . between blood Matthew 5 . 21 . and
throwing a stone . Heb. a stone of the hand , Exodus 21 . 18
Numbers 35 . 12 , Numbers 35 . 21 , Numbers 35 . 24 , Numbers 35 . 27 , Deuteronomy 19 . 6 , Deuteronomy 19 . 12 , Joshua 20 . 3 , Joshua 20 . 5
Reciprocal . Genesis 4 . 14 . that Exodus 21 . 20 . punished 2 Samuel 14 . 7 . the whole 2 Samuel 14 . 11 . the revengers Romans 13 . 4 . revenger
if he thrust . Genesis 4 . 5 , Genesis 4 . 8 , 2 Samuel 3 . 27 , 2 Samuel 13 . 22 , 2 Samuel 13 . 28 , 2 Samuel 13 . 29 , 2 Samuel 20 . 10 , 1 Kings 2 . 5 , 1 Kings 2 . 6 , 1 Kings 2 . 31-33 , Proverbs 26 . 24 , Proverbs 28 . 17 , Luke 4 . 29
by laying . Exodus 21 . 14 , Deuteronomy 19 . 11 , 1 Samuel 18 . 10 , 1 Samuel 18 . 11 , 1 Samuel 18 . 25 , 1 Samuel 19 . 9-12 , 1 Samuel 20 . 1 , 1 Samuel 23 . 7-9 , 1 Samuel 24 . 11 , Psalm 10 . 7-10 , Psalm 11 . 2 , Psalm 35 . 7 , Psalm 35 . 8 , Psalm 57 . 4-6 , Proverbs 1 . 18 , Proverbs 1 . 19 , Mark 6 . 19 , Mark 6 . 24-26 , Acts 20 . 3 , Acts 23 . 21
Reciprocal . Genesis 4 . 14 . that Exodus 21 . 14 . slay Numbers 35 . 19 . General
Numbers 35 . 11 , Exodus 21 . 13 , Deuteronomy 19 . 5 , Joshua 20 . 3 , Joshua 20 . 5
Reciprocal . Numbers 35 . 16 . if he smite
Reciprocal . Numbers 35 . 11 . unawares
Numbers 35 . 12 , Joshua 20 . 6
Reciprocal . Exodus 21 . 1 . the judgments Numbers 35 . 19 . General Deuteronomy 19 . 11 . But if any
abide in it . Numbers 35 . 28 , Joshua 20 . 6 , Romans 3 . 24-26 , Ephesians 2 . 16-18 , Hebrews 4 . 14-16, Hebrews 7 . 25-28 , Hebrews 9 . 12-15 , Hebrews 10 . 19-22
anointed . Exodus 29 . 7 , Leviticus 4 . 3 , Leviticus 8 . 12 , Leviticus 21 . 10
Reciprocal . Genesis 9 . 6 . by Exodus 29 . 29 . anointed Exodus 30 . 25 . an holy Numbers 35 . 12 . from the avenger Deuteronomy 19 . 5 . he shall flee Joshua 20 . 5 . General 2 Samuel 14 . 14 . he devise Luke 24 . 44 . in the law
After the manslayer had been received into the city of refuge , the avenger of blood could only act as prosecutor; and the magistrates , in the presence of the people , were appointed to decide the cause according to the rules here laid down. Probably the accused person was tried at or near the place where the deceased had been slain , and where evidence could most easily be brought , and in case he was acquitted by the decision of the judges , and with the approbation of the people , he was conveyed back to the city of refuge , where he was protected as a kind of prisoner at large , till the death of the high priest; when the public loss , and the grief occasioned by it , might be supposed to swallow up all personal regrets and resentments , and then he was permitted to return to his house and estate. But if , in the mean while , he ventured to leave the city , and the avenger met him and slew him , he was supposed to merit his doom by thus neglecting the appointment of God for his preservation , and the avenger must not be punished. This shews that in other cases , if the avenger slew an innocent man on surmise , he was liable to the punishment of a murderer; but if , by the testimony of two credible witnesses , the man who had fled to the city of refuge was adjudged guilty , he must without fail be put to death.
Reciprocal . Joshua 2 . 19 . whosoever
he shall not be guilty of blood . Heb. no blood shall be to him , Exodus 22 . 2 , Deuteronomy 19 . 6 , Deuteronomy 19 . 10
Reciprocal . Genesis 4 . 14 . that Numbers 35 . 19 . General 2 Samuel 14 . 11 . the revengers
he should . John 15 . 4-6 , Acts 11 . 23 , Acts 27 . 31 , Hebrews 3 . 14 , Hebrews 6 . 4-8 , Hebrews 10 . 26-30 , Hebrews 10 . 39
after the death . Hebrews 9 . 11 , Hebrews 9 . 12 , Hebrews 9 . 15-17
Reciprocal . Numbers 35 . 25 . abide in it 2 Samuel 14 . 14 . he devise
Numbers 27 . 1 , Numbers 27 . 11
Deuteronomy 17 . 6 , Deuteronomy 17 . 7 , Deuteronomy 19 . 15 , Matthew 18 . 16 , John 8 . 17 , John 8 . 18 , 2 Corinthians 13 . 1 , 1 Timothy 5 . 19 , Hebrews 10 . 28 , Revelation 11 . 3
Reciprocal . Genesis 23 . 11 . in the Exodus 21 . 12 . General Exodus 21 . 20 . he shall Numbers 35 . 16 . the Deuteronomy 13 . 14 . General Matthew 5 . 21 . and 1 Timothy 1 . 9 . manslayers
Moreover . Genesis 9 . 5 , Genesis 9 . 6 , Exodus 21 . 14 , Deuteronomy 19 . 11-13 , 2 Samuel 12 . 13 , 1 Kings 2 . 28-34 , Psalm 51 . 14
guilty of death . Heb. faulty to die
Reciprocal . Exodus 21 . 12 . General Exodus 21 . 23 . life for life Exodus 21 . 30 . for the ransom Leviticus 24 . 17 . And he Deuteronomy 27 . 24 . General 2 Samuel 4 . 11 . require 2 Samuel 21 . 9 . before the Lord 2 Chronicles 25 . 3 . he slew 2 Chronicles 33 . 25 . slew Psalm 51 . 16 . desirest Ezekiel 16 . 38 . shed Ezekiel 18 . 10 . a shedder Acts 28 . 4 . a murderer
Acts 4 . 12 , Galatians 2 . 21 , Galatians 3 . 10-13 , Galatians 3 . 22 , Revelation 5 . 9 , The region east of Jordan was nearly as long as that on the west , and therefore three cities were appointed in each division. One or other of these cities would be within half a day's journey of every part of the land; and as it would rarely happen that the avenger of blood would be on the spot , and none had a right to assault or detain the manslayer , at least if no malicious intention was manifest , the unhappy men would , therefore , get the start of their adversaries , and very few of them be overtaken before they gained the place of refuge. But then they must forsake their families , employments , most important interests , and dearest comforts; and they must neither loiter nor yield to weariness , nor regard difficulties , nor slacken their pace , till they had got safe within the walls of the city. The Jewish writers inform us , that to afford every facility to those who thus fled for their life , the road to these cities was always preserved in good repair; and way-posts , upon which was inscribed REFUGE were placed wherever needful , that they might not so much as hesitate for a moment.
Reciprocal . Isaiah 26 . 21 . also
it defileth . Leviticus 18 . 25 , Deuteronomy 21 . 1-8 , Deuteronomy 21 . 23 , 2 Kings 23 . 26 , 2 Kings 24 . 4 , Psalm 106 . 28 , Isaiah 26 . 21 , Ezekiel 22 . 24-27 , Hosea 4 . 2 , Hosea 4 . 3 , Micah 4 . 11 , Matthew 23 . 31-35 , Luke 11 . 50 , Luke 11 . 51
the land cannot be cleansed . Heb. there can be no expiation for the land
Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 19 . 13 . but thou Deuteronomy 21 . 8 . lay not 2 Samuel 3 . 28 . guiltless 2 Samuel 14 . 9 . and the king 1 Kings 2 . 6 . let 1 Kings 2 . 31 . that thou 2 Kings 14 . 5 . that he slew 2 Kings 21 . 16 . Manasseh 2 Chronicles 33 . 25 . slew 2 Chronicles 34 . 5 . cleansed Psalm 106 . 38 . the land Isaiah 24 . 5 . defiled Jeremiah 2 . 7 . ye defiled Jeremiah 16 . 18 . they have defiled Jeremiah 26 . 15 . ye shall Jeremiah 26 . 19 . Thus Lamentations 4 . 14 . they have polluted Ezekiel 36 . 17 . they defiled Matthew 23 . 35 . upon Matthew 27 . 25 . His
Defile not . Numbers 5 . 3 , Leviticus 20 . 24-26
I dwell . Psalm 135 . 21 , Isaiah 57 . 15 , Hosea 9 . 3 , 2 Corinthians 6 . 16 , 2 Corinthians 6 . 17 , Revelation 21 . 3 , Revelation 21 . 27
dwell among . Numbers 5 . 3 , Exodus 25 . 8 , Exodus 29 . 45 , Exodus 29 . 46 , 1 Kings 6 . 13 , Psalm 132 . 14 , Isaiah 8 . 12
Reciprocal . Leviticus 18 . 25 . the land Numbers 16 . 3 . the Lord Deuteronomy 19 . 13 . but thou Deuteronomy 21 . 23 . thy land 1 Samuel 2 . 30 . Be it far Isaiah 24 . 5 . defiled Jeremiah 2 . 7 . ye defiled Jeremiah 16 . 18 . they have defiled Jeremiah 26 . 19 . Thus Ezekiel 36 . 17 . they defiled Daniel 2 . 11 . whose