Números 35:12

12 Estas ciudades servirán como lugares de protección contra los parientes de la víctima que quieran vengar la muerte. No se le quitará la vida al responsable de la muerte antes de que la comunidad lo juzgue.

Números 35:12 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 35:12

And they shall be unto you cities of refuge from the avenger,
&c.] Or near kinsman; for as the right of redemption of an estate that was mortgaged belonged to such an one, so of revenging the blood of any one that was killed:

that the manslayer die not;
by the hand of the avenger, who in the heat of his passion would, could he come at him, fall upon him, and slay him, to avenge the death of his relation on him:

until he stand before the congregation in judgment;
before the court of judicature, to be examined, tried, and judged, whether the murder was committed knowingly and willingly, or whether through mistake and at unawares: this was done either before the court of judicature in the city of refuge, who took cognizance of such cases directly, that they might know whom to harbour and protect, and whom not; or before the court in the place where the act was committed: interpreters are divided about this; and Calmet ^F12 is of opinion that he was examined in both courts, first more strictly in the city of refuge, and then more slightly in the place where it was done, which is not improbable; however, this seems manifest from ( Numbers 35:25 ) , that the court where it was committed had power to fetch him from the city of refuge, and set him before them, and examine into the case; and, if an innocent person, restored him to the city of refuge, whither he had fled.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 Dictionary, on the word "Refuge".

Números 35:12 In-Context

10 «Dale las siguientes instrucciones al pueblo de Israel: cuando crucen el Jordán para entrar a la tierra de Canaán,

11 designen ciudades de refugio adonde una persona pueda huir si ha matado a alguien por accidente.

12 Estas ciudades servirán como lugares de protección contra los parientes de la víctima que quieran vengar la muerte. No se le quitará la vida al responsable de la muerte antes de que la comunidad lo juzgue.

13 Designen seis ciudades de refugio para ustedes mismos:

14 tres al oriente del río Jordán y tres al occidente, en la tierra de Canaán.