Commentary LibraryCommentaries on Numbers 35:12
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John Gill
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, Numbers 35:1, six of which were to be cities of refuge, Numbers 35:9, but not for wilful murderers, in whatsoever way they might kill a man, Numbers 35:16, but for such who had killed a man...
John Gill
And they shall be unto you cities of refuge from the avenger,.... Or near kinsman; for as the right of redemption of an estate that was mortgaged belonged to such an one, so of revenging the blood of any one that was killed: that the manslayer die not; by the hand of the avenger, who in the heat of his passion would, could he come at him, fall upon him, and slay him, to avenge the death of his...
Matthew Henry
Orders having been given before for the dividing of the land of Canaan among the lay-tribes (as I may call them), care is here taken for a competent provision for the clergy, the tribe of Levi, which ministered in holy things. I. Forty-eight cities were to be assigned them, with their suburbs, some in every tribe, ver. 1-8. II. Six cities out of these were to be for cities of refuge, for any man...