Numbers 35:11

11 Then let certain towns be marked out as safe places to which anyone who takes the life of another in error may go in flight.

Numbers 35:11 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 35:11

Then ye shall appoint your cities to be cities of refuge for
you
And, according to the Jewish writers ^F9, these were neither to be made large nor little, but middling; and they appointed them where there were markets and fairs, at which goods were to be sold; and where there was plenty of water, and a multitude of people; and where there were but few, they fetched others from other places; and they neither made nets for hunting, nor twisted ropes in them, nor sold any warlike instruments, lest the avenger of blood should use himself to come thither, under pretence of buying such things, and kill the manslayer:

that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares;
or through error
^F11, or mistake, not on purpose, with design, or through malice and enmity, as is afterwards more largely explained.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 Maimon. Rotzeach, c. 8. sect. 8. Vid. T. Bab. Maccot, fol. 10. 1.
F11 (hggvb) "per errorem", Pagninus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "per imprudentiam", Tigurine version: Vatablus; "in ignorantia", Montanus.

Numbers 35:11 In-Context

9 And the Lord said to Moses,

10 Say to the children of Israel, when you have gone over Jordan into the land of Canaan;

11 Then let certain towns be marked out as safe places to which anyone who takes the life of another in error may go in flight.

12 In these towns you may be safe from him who has the right of punishment; so that death may not overtake the taker of life till he has been judged by the meeting of the people.

13 Six of the towns which you give will be such safe places;