Numbers 35:26

26 "'Such a person must never go outside the limits of the city of safety.

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 If that happens, the community must judge between the relative of the dead person and the killer, according to these rules.

25 They must protect the killer from the dead person's relative, sending the killer back to the original city of safety, to stay there until the high priest dies (the high priest had the holy oil poured on him).

26 "'Such a person must never go outside the limits of the city of safety.

27 If a relative of the dead person finds the killer outside the city, the relative may kill that person and not be guilty of murder.

28 The killer must stay in the city of safety until the high priest dies. After the high priest dies, the killer may go home.