Numbers 35:28 - Six Cities of Refuge

Audio Bible

Context

Six Cities of Refuge
…27and the avenger of blood finds him outside of his city of refuge and kills him, then the avenger will not be guilty of bloodshed 28because the manslayer must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Only after the death of the high priest may he return to the land he owns. 29This will be a statutory ordinance for you for the generations to come, wherever you live.…

Cross References

Joshua 20:6
He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the manslayer may return to his own home in the city from which he fled.”Deuteronomy 19:4-6
Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him: / If he goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut timber and swings his axe to chop down a tree, but the blade flies off the handle and strikes and kills his neighbor, he may flee to one of these cities to save his life. / Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the manslayer in a rage, overtake him if the distance is great, and strike him dead though he did not deserve to die, since he did not intend any harm.Exodus 21:12-14
Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. / If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. / But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death.Leviticus 25:10
So you are to consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty in the land for all its inhabitants. It shall be your Jubilee, when each of you is to return to his property and to his clan.1 Kings 2:28-34
When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ...Hebrews 6:18
Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.Acts 17:31
For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”Romans 6:9
For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,Psalm 91:1-2
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. / I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”2 Samuel 14:14
For we will surely die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life, but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him.Ezekiel 18:32
For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!Matthew 5:21-22
You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

John 15:4-6
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me…

Acts 11:23
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

Acts 27:31
Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

after the death

Hebrews 9:11,12,15-17
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; …

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Numbers 35

because the manslayer must remain in his city of refuge
The concept of cities of refuge is introduced in Numbers 35 as a provision for those who have committed unintentional manslaughter. These cities served as a sanctuary where the accused could flee to avoid the avenger of blood, a family member seeking retribution. The requirement for the manslayer to remain in the city underscores the seriousness of taking a life, even unintentionally, and the need for justice tempered with mercy. This reflects the balance between justice and grace found throughout Scripture, as seen in Exodus 21:13 and Deuteronomy 19:4-6.

until the death of the high priest
The high priest held a significant role in Israelite society, serving as a mediator between God and the people. His death symbolized a form of atonement, allowing the manslayer to return home without fear of retribution. This provision highlights the importance of the high priest's role in maintaining spiritual and communal order. The death of the high priest can be seen as a type of Christ, who, through His death, provides ultimate atonement and freedom from sin (Hebrews 9:11-14).

Only after the death of the high priest may he return to the land he owns
This stipulation emphasizes the sanctity of life and the need for a period of reflection and repentance for the manslayer. The return to one's land signifies restoration and reconciliation with the community. It also points to the concept of Jubilee, a time of release and restoration, as described in Leviticus 25. Theologically, this can be connected to the believer's reconciliation with God through Christ, who restores us to our rightful place as children of God (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Manslayer
An individual who has unintentionally killed another person. In the context of Numbers 35, this person seeks refuge to avoid revenge from the victim's family.

2. City of Refuge
Designated cities where individuals who committed unintentional manslaughter could seek asylum. These cities provided protection from the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted.

3. High Priest
The spiritual leader of Israel, whose death marked the end of the manslayer's exile in the city of refuge. The high priest's death symbolized a form of atonement and release for the manslayer.

4. Avenger of Blood
A family member of the deceased who sought justice for the killing. The city of refuge protected the manslayer from this person until the high priest's death.

5. Land of Inheritance
The property or land that the manslayer could return to after the high priest's death, signifying a restoration of their place in the community.

Teaching Points

God's Provision for Justice and Mercy
The cities of refuge illustrate God's balance of justice and mercy, providing protection for those who have sinned unintentionally while ensuring a fair trial.

Symbolism of the High Priest
The death of the high priest as a release for the manslayer symbolizes Christ's atoning sacrifice, which provides ultimate freedom and forgiveness for believers.

Restoration and Community
The return to one's land after the high priest's death signifies restoration and reintegration into the community, reflecting God's desire for reconciliation and peace among His people.

The Importance of Intent
The distinction between intentional and unintentional sin highlights the importance of understanding intent in God's justice system, encouraging believers to examine their hearts and motives.Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

[the manslayer] must remain
יֵשֵׁ֔ב (yê·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in his city
בְעִ֤יר (ḇə·‘îr)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of refuge
מִקְלָטוֹ֙ (miq·lā·ṭōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4733: Refuge, asylum

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the death
מ֖וֹת (mō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin

of the high
הַגָּדֹ֑ל (hag·gā·ḏōl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

priest.
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

Only after
וְאַחֲרֵ֥י (wə·’a·ḥă·rê)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

the death
מוֹת֙ (mō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin

of the high
הַגָּדֹ֔ל (hag·gā·ḏōl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

priest
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

may [he]
הָרֹצֵ֔חַ (hā·rō·ṣê·aḥ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7523: To dash in pieces, kill, to murder

return
יָשׁוּב֙ (yā·šūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the land
אֶ֖רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

he owns.
אֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ׃ (’ă·ḥuz·zā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 272: Something seized, a possession

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Numbers 35:28 Catholic BibleOT Law: Numbers 35:28 Because he should have remained in his (Nu Num.)