Numbers 35:12-22

12 They will be places of refuge from the avenger so that the alleged murderer won't be killed until he can appear before the community in court.

13 Provide six asylum-cities.

14 Designate three of the towns to the east side of the Jordan, the other three in Canaan proper - asylum-cities

15 for the People of Israel, for the foreigner, and for any occasional visitors or guests - six asylum-cities to run to for anyone who accidentally kills another.

16 "But if the killer has used an iron object, that's just plain murder; he's obviously a murderer and must be put to death.

17 "Or if he has a rock in his hand big enough to kill and the man dies, that's murder; he's a murderer and must be put to death.

18 "Or if he's carrying a wooden club heavy enough to kill and the man dies, that's murder; he's a murderer and must be put to death.

19 "In such cases the avenger has a right to kill the murderer when he meets him - he can kill him on the spot.

20 "And if out of sheer hatred a man pushes another or from ambush throws something at him and he dies,

21 or angrily hits him with his fist and kills him, that's murder - he must be put to death. The avenger has a right to kill him when he gets him.

22 "If, however, he impulsively pushes someone and there is no history of hard feelings, or he impetuously picks up something and throws it,

Numbers 35:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 35

Though the tribe of Levi had no part in the division of the land, yet cities out of the several tribes are here ordered to be given them to dwell in, to the number of forty eight, Nu 35:1-8, six of which were to be cities of refuge, Nu 35:9-15, but not for wilful murderers, in whatsoever way they might kill a man, Nu 35:16-21, but for such who had killed a man unawares, Nu 35:22-24, and several rules are given relating to such persons, Nu 35:25-29, but no satisfaction was to be taken in case of murder, nor to excuse a person's return to his own house before the death of the high priest, who had fled to a city of refuge, that so the land might not be defiled, Nu 35:30-34.