Numbers 35:26

26 But if the manslayer shall at any time come outside the border of the city of his refuge where he has fled,

Numbers 35:26 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 35:26

But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of
the city of his refuge
Which seems to be the three thousand cubits assigned to every city of the Levites, and so to the cities of refuge; and which, according to the Jewish writers, were a refuge, as the city itself; and it is said ^F24,

``he, that kills a man there, is killed for him, but though the border is a refuge, the slayer does not dwell in it, as it is said. ( Numbers 35:25 ) , "he shall abide in it", but not in its borders:''

whither he was fled;
on account of manslaughter.

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 Maimon. Hilchot Rotzeach, c. 8. sect. 11. Misn. Maccot, c. 2. sect. 7.

Numbers 35:26 In-Context

24 then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the kinsman avenger {Heb. redeemer} of blood according to these laws.

25 And the congregation shall deliver the manslayer out of the hand of the kinsman avenger {Heb. redeemer} of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, where he has fled, and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.

26 But if the manslayer shall at any time come outside the border of the city of his refuge where he has fled,

27 and the kinsman avenger {Heb. redeemer} of blood finds him outside the borders of the city of his refuge, and the kinsman avenger {Heb. redeemer} of blood slays the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of his blood.

28 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 manslayer shall return into the land of his possession.