Numbers 35:7-17

7 forty-eight towns in all, together with their pastures.

8 The towns that you give the Levites from the common inheritance of the People of Israel are to be taken in proportion to the size of each tribe - many towns from a tribe that has many, few from a tribe that has few."

9 God spoke to Moses:

10 "Speak to the People of Israel. Tell them, When you cross the River Jordan into the country of Canaan,

11 designate your asylum-cities, towns to which a person who accidentally kills someone can flee for asylum.

12 They will be places of refuge from the avenger so that the alleged murderer won't be killed until he can appear before the community in court.

13 Provide six asylum-cities.

14 Designate three of the towns to the east side of the Jordan, the other three in Canaan proper - asylum-cities

15 for the People of Israel, for the foreigner, and for any occasional visitors or guests - six asylum-cities to run to for anyone who accidentally kills another.

16 "But if the killer has used an iron object, that's just plain murder; he's obviously a murderer and must be put to death.

17 "Or if he has a rock in his hand big enough to kill and the man dies, that's murder; he's a murderer and must be put to death.

Numbers 35:7-17 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.