Numbers 35:26

26 "But don't go outside the city of refuge you fled to.

Numbers 35:26 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 35:26

But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of
the city of his refuge
Which seems to be the three thousand cubits assigned to every city of the Levites, and so to the cities of refuge; and which, according to the Jewish writers, were a refuge, as the city itself; and it is said ^F24,

``he, that kills a man there, is killed for him, but though the border is a refuge, the slayer does not dwell in it, as it is said. ( Numbers 35:25 ) , "he shall abide in it", but not in its borders:''

whither he was fled;
on account of manslaughter.

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 Maimon. Hilchot Rotzeach, c. 8. sect. 11. Misn. Maccot, c. 2. sect. 7.

Numbers 35:26 In-Context

24 Then the community must use these rules in order to decide if you [are innocent] or if the dead person's relative can avenge the death.

25 [If you are innocent,] the community must protect you from that relative. They must take you back to the city of refuge you fled to. You must live there until the death of the chief priest who was anointed with the holy oil.

26 "But don't go outside the city of refuge you fled to.

27 If the relative who can avenge the death finds you outside the city of refuge and kills you, the relative is not guilty of murder.

28 Accused murderers must stay in their city of refuge until the death of the chief priest. They may go back to their own property only after his death.