Numbers 35:17-27

17 If he throw a stone, and he that is struck die: he shall be punished in the same manner.

18 If he that is struck with wood die: he shall be revenged by the blood of him that struck him.

19 The kinsman of him that was slain, shall kill the murderer: as soon as he apprehendeth him, he shall kill him.

20 If through hatred any one push a man, or fling any thing at him with ill design:

21 Or being his enemy, strike him with his hand, and he die: the striker shall be guilty of murder: the kinsman of him that was slain as soon as he findeth him, shall kill him.

22 But if by chance medley, and without hatred,

23 And enmity, he do any of these things,

24 And this be proved in the hearing of the people, and the cause be debated between him that struck, and the next of kin:

25 The innocent shall be delivered from the hand of the revenger, and shall be brought back by sentence into the city, to which he had fled, and he shall abide there until the death of the high priest, that is anointed with the holy oil.

26 If the murderer be found without the limits of the cities that are appointed for the banished,

27 And be struck by him that is the avenger of blood: he shall not be guilty that killed him.

Numbers 35:17-27 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 35

Though the tribe of Levi had no part in the division of the land, yet cities out of the several tribes are here ordered to be given them to dwell in, to the number of forty eight, Nu 35:1-8, six of which were to be cities of refuge, Nu 35:9-15, but not for wilful murderers, in whatsoever way they might kill a man, Nu 35:16-21, but for such who had killed a man unawares, Nu 35:22-24, and several rules are given relating to such persons, Nu 35:25-29, but no satisfaction was to be taken in case of murder, nor to excuse a person's return to his own house before the death of the high priest, who had fled to a city of refuge, that so the land might not be defiled, Nu 35:30-34.