Numbers 35:26

26 But if the killer surely goes out of the territory of the city of his refuge to which he fled,

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.

---

FOOTNOTES:

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

Numbers 35:26 In-Context

24 then the community will judge between the striker and between the blood avenger according to these ordinances.

25 The community will deliver the killer from the hand of the blood avenger, and the community will restore him to the city of his refuge to which he fled; and he will live there in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with holy oil.

26 But if the killer surely goes out of the territory of the city of his refuge to which he fled,

27 and the blood avenger finds him outside the territory of the city of his refuge, and the blood avenger kills the killer, {he will not be guilty of blood}

28 because he must live in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the killer will return to the land of his property.