Numbers 35:14-24

14 tres erunt trans Iordanem et tres in terra Chanaan

15 tam filiis Israhel quam advenis atque peregrinis ut confugiat ad eas qui nolens sanguinem fuderit

16 si quis ferro percusserit et mortuus fuerit qui percussus est reus erit homicidii et ipse morietur

17 si lapidem iecerit et ictus occubuerit similiter punietur

18 si ligno percussus interierit percussoris sanguine vindicabitur

19 propinquus occisi homicidam interficiet statim ut adprehenderit eum percutiet

20 si per odium quis hominem inpulerit vel iecerit quippiam in eum per insidias

21 aut cum esset inimicus manu percusserit et ille mortuus fuerit percussor homicidii reus erit cognatus occisi statim ut invenerit eum iugulabit

22 quod si fortuito et absque odio

23 et inimicitiis quicquam horum fecerit

24 et hoc audiente populo fuerit conprobatum atque inter percussorem et propinquum sanguinis quaestio ventilata

Numbers 35:14-24 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.