Numbers 35:15

15 These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and 1for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills any person without intent may flee there.

Numbers 35:15 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 35:15

These six cities shall be a refuge both for the children of
Israel and for the stranger
For an Israelite, and a proselyte of righteousness, one that embraced the Jewish religion, and in all things conformed to it, and to whom there was but one law in things civil and religious:

and for the sojourner among you;
the proselyte of the gate, who renounced idolatry, and observed the commands of the sons of Noah, but in other things did not comply with the Jewish ceremonies, yet had the benefit of the cities of refuge equally with the other; though the Jews say F16, such a proselyte or sojourner had only this privilege, who slew a proselyte, but not if he slew an Israelite; but for this distinction there is no foundation in the text:

that everyone that killeth any person unawares may flee thither;
whether an Israelite, or a proselyte of righteousness or of the gate.


FOOTNOTES:

F16 Misn. Maccot, c. 2. sect. 3.

Numbers 35:15 In-Context

13 And the cities that you give shall be your six cities of refuge.
14 You shall give three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities in the land of Canaan, to be cities of refuge.
15 These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills any person without intent may flee there.
16 "But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death.
17 And if he struck him down with a stone tool that could cause death, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death.

Cross References 1

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.