1.
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
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
2.
Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.
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
3.
And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.
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
4.
And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.
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
5.
And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
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.
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, Psalms 9:9, Psalms 62:7, Psalms 62:8, Psalms 142:4, Psalms 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
7.
So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs.
8.
And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.
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
9.
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
10.
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;
11.
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.
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
12.
And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
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
13.
And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge.
six cities: Numbers 35:6
Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:57 - the city of refuge
14.
Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities 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
15.
These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.
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
16.
And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
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
17.
And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
throwing a stone: Heb. a stone of the hand, Exodus 21:18
18.
Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
19.
The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
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
20.
But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
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, Psalms 10:7-10, Psalms 11:2, Psalms 35:7, Psalms 35:8, Psalms 57:4-6, Proverbs 1:18, Proverbs 1:19, Mark 6:19, Mark 6:24-26, Acts 20:3, Acts 23:21
21.
Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
Reciprocal: Genesis 4:14 - that Exodus 21:14 - slay Numbers 35:19 - General
22.
But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,
Numbers 35:11, Exodus 21:13, Deuteronomy 19:5, Joshua 20:3, Joshua 20:5
Reciprocal: Numbers 35:16 - if he smite
23.
Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:
Reciprocal: Numbers 35:11 - unawares
24.
Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:
Numbers 35:12, Joshua 20:6
Reciprocal: Exodus 21:1 - the judgments Numbers 35:19 - General Deuteronomy 19:11 - But if any
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.
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
26.
But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;
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
27.
And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:
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
28.
Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
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
29.
So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
30.
Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
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
31.
Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.
Moreover: Genesis 9:5, Genesis 9:6, Exodus 21:14, Deuteronomy 19:11-13, 2 Samuel 12:13, 1 Kings 2:28-34, Psalms 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 Psalms 51:16 - desirest Ezekiel 16:38 - shed Ezekiel 18:10 - a shedder Acts 28:4 - a murderer
32.
And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.
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
33.
So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
it defileth: Leviticus 18:25, Deuteronomy 21:1-8, Deuteronomy 21:23, 2 Kings 23:26, 2 Kings 24:4, Psalms 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 Psalms 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
34.
Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.
Defile not: Numbers 5:3, Leviticus 20:24-26
I dwell: Psalms 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, Psalms 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