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Numbers 35

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And the Lord spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,

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Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.

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And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.

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And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.

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And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.

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And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.

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So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs.

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And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.

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And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

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Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;

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Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.

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And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.

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And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge.

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Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.

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These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.

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And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

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And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

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Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

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The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.

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But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;

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Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.

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But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,

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Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:

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Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:

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And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.

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But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;

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And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:

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Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.

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So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

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Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.

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Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.

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And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.

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So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.

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Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel.

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Numbers 35

Forty-eight Levitical cities (with pastureland allocated around each for livestock) transform the Levites from a scattered, landless class into a distributed network of cultic and administrative centers throughout Israel, ensuring priestly presence and teaching function in every tribal territory. Six of these cities are designated as cities of refuge (arim miqlat) for those who commit unintentional manslaughter, establishing a legal mechanism that protects the unintentional killer from the 'avenger of blood' (go'el hadam) until trial determines guilt or innocence—a sophisticated legal distinction between murder (intentional, deserving death) and manslaughter (unintentional, deserving refuge). The avenger of blood's role—to pursue and execute the murderer—reflects tribal justice systems where kinship responsibility transcends civil law, but the refuge cities subordinate vengeance to adjudication, establishing that judicial process supersedes kinship rage and that innocent blood-shedding cannot be avenged. The distinction between intentional murder ('If someone strikes a person and kills them') and unintentional killing ('or if without seeing someone throws something at a person and kills them')—grounded in the killer's intent (risha'ah, wickedness) rather than action alone—establishes that intention matters morally and legally, a principle foundational to legal systems. The high priest's death releases the manslayer from refuge ('After the death of the high priest, the one accused of murder may return to the land he possessed'), a striking provision suggesting that the priesthood's death provides atonement or release from the blood guilt, creating a theological connection between priestly mediation and release from legal obligation. The chapter's repeated assertion—'Do not pollute the land where you are... Blood pollutes the land'—emphasizes that unresolved murder guilt contaminates the entire territory and that proper legal procedure is necessary to preserve the land's sanctity, making judicial justice a covenantal necessity. Numbers 35's integration of cultic (Levitical cities), legal (cities of refuge), and theological (blood pollution, priestly mediation) concerns establishes that Israel's life in Canaan will require both distributed priestly centers and a sophisticated legal system that protects the innocent while ensuring that guilty blood-shedding is avenged.

Numbers 35:1

And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying — the final set of instructions addresses the provision for the Levites, those who serve the tabernacle and have no tribal territory of their own. The location (plains of Moab) emphasizes this is the final covenant instruction before entry into Canaan.

Numbers 35:2

Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them — the Levites are to receive cities from the tribal inheritances, not a territorial tribe themselves. These cities include suburban pasture-lands, providing both residential and pastoral support. The requirement falls on all twelve tribes to contribute cities, ensuring corporate responsibility for Levitical support.

Numbers 35:3

And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs thereof shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts — the Levitical cities provide both urban centers (for priestly and judicial service) and surrounding pasture-lands (for livestock and economic self-sufficiency). The division between city and suburbs reflects the distinction between residential and pastoral needs.

Numbers 35:4

And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about — the pasture-lands extend one thousand cubits (roughly 1,500 feet or 450 meters) beyond each city's wall in all directions. This boundary is carefully specified, ensuring standardized provision for every Levitical city.

Numbers 35:5

And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities — an alternative measurement system specifies that the suburbs extend two thousand cubits in each cardinal direction from the city-center, a larger zone that encompasses the one-thousand-cubit inner pasture-lands. The city is centered within this larger square, ensuring complete environmental provision.

Numbers 35:6

And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities — of the Levitical cities, six are designated as cities of refuge for those who have committed unintentional homicide, providing sanctuary from blood-vengeance. The remaining 42 cities serve general Levitical purposes (48 total minus 6 refuge-cities).

Numbers 35:7

So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs — the total provision is 48 cities with their pasture-lands, a standardized allocation supporting the Levitical priestly system throughout the land. The number 48 may represent 4 cities × 12 tribes, suggesting proportional distribution.

Numbers 35:8

And concerning the cities which ye shall give of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth — the tribal contributions to the Levitical cities are weighted by the tribes' territorial size: larger tribes contribute more cities, smaller tribes fewer. This proportional system ensures equitable burden-sharing.

Numbers 35:9

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying — the legal specification of the cities of refuge now begins, the most theologically significant of the Levitical cities. These cities represent a crucial intersection of justice, mercy, and covenant theology.

Numbers 35:10

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan — the instruction concerns the future moment after entry into Canaan, when the refugee-system must be operational. The geographic trigger (crossing the Jordan) emphasizes that the system is part of the covenant's inauguration in the land.

Numbers 35:11

Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer which killeth any person at unawares may flee thither — the cities of refuge provide sanctuary for the person who has killed another unintentionally ("at unawares"). The manslayer can flee to a refuge-city and find protection from the avenger of blood (the victim's kinsman). This system balances justice (the killer must leave home, seek refuge) with mercy (the killer is not automatically executed for accidental death).

Numbers 35:12

And they shall be unto you for refuge from the avenger of blood; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation for judgment — the cities of refuge protect the manslayer from the avenger of blood (goel haddam, the kinsman-redeemer responsible for avenging the death) until the manslayer can be judged formally by the congregation. Due legal process is guaranteed, preventing instant execution by the bereaved family.

Numbers 35:13

And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge — six refuge-cities are appointed (as noted in v. 6), distributed throughout the land to ensure that every manslayer can reach safety.

Numbers 35:14

Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge — the six refuge-cities are divided geographically: three on the east side of the Jordan (in Transjordan) and three on the west side (in Canaan proper). This distribution ensures accessibility: a manslayer in any region can reach a refuge-city without traveling excessively.

Numbers 35:15

These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person at unawares may flee thither — the cities of refuge are open to all residents of the land, not only Israelites: foreigners and sojourners are also protected by this system. This universal application of mercy reflects the covenant's inclusivity: the protection of the innocent is a principle applicable to all persons, not merely the covenant-people.

Numbers 35:16

And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die: he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death — the law now distinguishes murder (intentional killing with malice aforethought) from manslaughter (unintentional killing). If death results from an iron weapon-stroke, the presumption is murder, and capital punishment is mandatory. The instrument itself (iron, suggesting a weapon rather than accident) implies intent.

Numbers 35:17

And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die: he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death — similarly, if a thrown stone kills someone, the presumption is murder, and execution follows. The throwing (suggesting deliberate action) implies intent.

Numbers 35:18

Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die: he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death — a wooden weapon used to strike (such as a club) that results in death is also treated as murder, warranting capital punishment. The pattern emphasizes that various means of deadly violence indicate intentional killing.

Numbers 35:19

The avenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him — the execution of the murderer falls to the avenger of blood (the kinsman-redeemer), who may kill the murderer when encountering him. The kinship-justice system is authorized for murder-cases, preventing the murderer from seeking refuge in the cities of refuge.

Numbers 35:20

But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die — if the killing is motivated by hatred or involves premeditation (laying in wait), these are additional indicators of murder. The psychological state (hatred) and temporal planning (waiting) both suggest intentional, malicious homicide.

Numbers 35:21

Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the avenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him — if the killer strikes from enmity (suggesting prior conflict and ill-will), this constitutes murder. The avenger of blood may execute the murderer upon encounter, and execution is mandatory.

Numbers 35:22

Howbeit if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait — the law now addresses manslaughter: if the killing occurs suddenly without prior enmity (suggesting it was accidental rather than premeditated), the person is not a murderer. Similarly, if something was thrown without deliberate intent to harm, the killing may be unintentional.

Numbers 35:23

Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm — if the killer threw a stone without seeing the victim and without prior hostility, the presumption shifts to unintentional killing. The lack of enmity and the lack of anticipation of the victim's presence both suggest absence of malice aforethought.

Numbers 35:24

Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these judgments — the congregation (the formal judicial assembly) judges each case individually, applying the legal criteria to determine whether the death was intentional (murder) or unintentional (manslaughter). The congregation's judgment supersedes private vengeance in cases of ambiguity.

Numbers 35:25

And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil — if the congregation judges the killing to be unintentional manslaughter, the slayer is protected from the avenger and restored to the refuge-city. The slayer must remain in the refuge-city until the high priest dies. The death of the high priest marks a transition-point: it serves as a natural statute of limitations and also symbolically represents purification through change of sacral administration.

Numbers 35:26

But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled — if the manslayer leaves the refuge-city's boundaries (presumably to return home or conduct business), the covenant-protection is voided.

Numbers 35:27

And the avenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the avenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood — if the avenger encounters the manslayer outside the refuge-city boundaries, the avenger may legally kill the manslayer without incurring blood-guilt. The refuge-city is the exclusive zone of protection; once the manslayer leaves, the old law of blood-vengeance resumes.

Numbers 35:28

Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession — the manslayer is obligated to remain in the refuge-city for the full duration. However, after the high priest's death, the manslayer gains freedom to return home and reclaim his property. The high priest's death marks the end of the protective exile and the restoration of normal life.

Numbers 35:29

So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings — the refugee-system becomes perpetual law for Israel, binding across all generations and all locations within the land. The statute protects the innocent from arbitrary blood-vengeance while maintaining family-based justice for intentional murder.

Numbers 35:30

Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die — for any capital case, at least two witnesses are required for conviction. A single witness's testimony is insufficient for execution, protecting the accused from unreliable evidence. This two-witness standard reflects the presumption of innocence and the seriousness of capital judgment.

Numbers 35:31

Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall surely be put to death — no payment (ransom, compensation) can substitute for the execution of a murderer. Murder is not a civil matter subject to monetary settlement; it demands capital punishment. This principle elevates homicide above mere property-crime or civil dispute.

Numbers 35:32

And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, before the death of the high priest — similarly, no ransom can permit the manslayer to leave the refuge-city before the high priest's death. The refuge-exile is mandatory; monetary payment cannot purchase early release.

Numbers 35:33

So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it polluteth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it — blood-shed pollutes the land, making it unsuitable for the LORD's holy presence and Israel's covenant-occupation. Only the death of the one who shed the blood can cleanse the pollution; execution is required both for justice and for land-sanctification. This principle frames capital punishment as cultic necessity, not merely retributive justice.

Numbers 35:34

Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel — the final exhortation emphasizes that the land is the LORD's dwelling, and blood-pollution makes it unfit. The covenant-community's responsibility is to maintain the land's sanctity through proper justice. The six cities of refuge thus represent a comprehensive theology of mercy within justice: they protect the innocent manslayer, restrain arbitrary vengeance, ensure due process, and maintain the land's purity.