Numbers 35:15

15 These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the sons of Israel and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them that anyone that kills another person unawares may flee there.

Numbers 35:15 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 35:15

These six cities shall be a refuge both for the children of
Israel and for the stranger
For an Israelite, and a proselyte of righteousness, one that embraced the Jewish religion, and in all things conformed to it, and to whom there was but one law in things civil and religious:

and for the sojourner among you;
the proselyte of the gate, who renounced idolatry, and observed the commands of the sons of Noah, but in other things did not comply with the Jewish ceremonies, yet had the benefit of the cities of refuge equally with the other; though the Jews say F16, such a proselyte or sojourner had only this privilege, who slew a proselyte, but not if he slew an Israelite; but for this distinction there is no foundation in the text:

that everyone that killeth any person unawares may flee thither;
whether an Israelite, or a proselyte of righteousness or of the gate.


FOOTNOTES:

F16 Misn. Maccot, c. 2. sect. 3.

Numbers 35:15 In-Context

13 And of these cities which ye shall give, six cities shall ye have for refuge.
14 Ye shall give three cities on this side of the Jordan and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
15 These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the sons of Israel and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them that anyone that kills another person unawares may flee there.
16 And if he smites him with an instrument of iron so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.
17 And if he smites him by throwing a stone with which he may die, and he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010