Numbers 35 10

Numbers 35:10 kjv

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

Numbers 35:10 nkjv

"Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,

Numbers 35:10 niv

"Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you cross the Jordan into Canaan,

Numbers 35:10 esv

"Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,

Numbers 35:10 nlt

"Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. "When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,

Numbers 35 verses

Numbers 35 10 Meaning

Numbers 35:10 begins the Lord's instruction to Moses concerning the establishment of cities of refuge. It signals a new phase in God's law, specifying that these vital provisions for justice and mercy would only come into effect after the Israelites had crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land of Canaan. This verse establishes the geographical and chronological precondition for implementing a specific part of the divine judicial system designed to regulate blood vengeance.

Numbers 35 10 Context

Numbers chapter 35, along with chapters 33 and 34, primarily deals with instructions concerning Israel's imminent entry into the land of Canaan. Specifically, chapter 35 focuses on the allocation of land and the establishment of an ordered society. Verses 1-8 describe the allocation of cities and pasturelands to the Levites, who had no territorial inheritance like the other tribes but were vital for Israel's spiritual life and judicial system. Verses 9-34 then detail the establishment of "cities of refuge." Numbers 35:10, therefore, acts as the foundational declaration, stating when this critical legal provision – the cities of refuge – would become active. It frames this instruction within the overarching divine promise of inheriting the land, emphasizing that their new societal structure, including justice, would be distinct from their nomadic past and foundational to their settled existence in Canaan. This law addressed potential conflicts arising from the traditional practice of blood vengeance (gōʾēl haddām), establishing a system that balanced justice for unlawful killing with mercy for unintentional acts, a key differentiator from contemporary non-Israelite legal customs.

Numbers 35 10 Word analysis

• Speak (דַּבֵּר - dabbēr):

  • Derived from davar, meaning 'to speak', 'command', 'declare'.
  • Signifies a direct, authoritative instruction from God through Moses.
  • It's a common prophetic imperative, emphasizing the divine origin and mandatory nature of the following commands.
  • This isn't mere suggestion but a binding law for Israel.

• unto the children of Israel (אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - ʾel-bĕnê yiśrāʾēl):

  • "Children of Israel" identifies the specific recipients of God's covenant and laws.
  • Highlights the corporate responsibility and identity of the nation.
  • God's relationship and instructions are uniquely given to His chosen people.

• and say unto them (וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם - wəʾāmarta ʾalêhem):

  • Reinforces the directive to communicate God's message clearly and directly.
  • Emphasizes the importance of the command, ensuring it's not misunderstood.
  • Implies Moses' role as mediator of the divine law.

• When ye be come over (בְּעָבְרְכֶם - bəʿāvrəkĕm):

  • Literally "in your crossing over."
  • A conditional and future-oriented particle, indicating that the law for cities of refuge would not take effect until a specific future event occurred.
  • Emphasizes the transitional phase Israel was in, preparing them for laws relevant to their settled existence.

• Jordan (הַיַּרְדֵּן - hayyardēn):

  • The "descender" or "down-flowing" river.
  • More than a geographical marker, it's a symbolic boundary between the wilderness and the Promised Land.
  • Crossing it signifies entry into a new era of covenant fulfillment and permanent dwelling.

• into the land of Canaan (אֶל־אֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן - ʾel-ʾereṣ kĕnaʿan):

  • "The land of the lowland/purple."
  • The Promised Land, the destination of God's covenantal promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  • The specific territory where these laws were to be lived out, indicating God's laws are applied within their specific context and inheritance.
  • It defines the geographical scope for the practical implementation of the cities of refuge.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them": This repeated emphasis on "speaking" and "saying" to Israel highlights the divine authority behind the commandment and Moses' crucial role as the intermediary. It underscores that this is a direct, imperative word from God intended for the whole nation, not just a select few. It sets the tone for a crucial and non-negotiable directive.

  • "When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan": This phrase functions as a significant conditional clause, setting the timeframe and geographical prerequisite for the entire law that follows regarding the cities of refuge. It communicates divine foresight and precise timing for the implementation of His laws. The crossing of the Jordan and entry into Canaan represents a transition from a nomadic wilderness existence to a settled agricultural and judicial society, where the detailed laws could be fully applied and observed. This emphasizes the promise of the land as intrinsically linked to their covenantal responsibilities.

Numbers 35 10 Bonus section

The concept of crossing the Jordan as a transition into a settled existence also has spiritual parallels. Just as Israel left the wilderness to inherit a land where specific divine laws governed their life, believers today enter into a new spiritual inheritance in Christ (Eph 1:11-14). This 'entering in' is marked by a transformation where the laws of God, no longer primarily external tablets but written on the heart (Jer 31:33), guide our walk in Christ. The cities of refuge can be seen as types of Christ, the ultimate refuge for those who flee from the consequences of sin and condemnation, finding mercy and true security in Him. The specific placement of these cities for accessibility reflects God's provision and accessibility of salvation to all who earnestly seek Him (Acts 17:27). The Levitical responsibility over these cities underscores the necessity of priestly intercession and guidance in the path to refuge and redemption.

Numbers 35 10 Commentary

Numbers 35:10 serves as a pivotal introduction to God's instructions regarding the cities of refuge. It frames this crucial law within the context of Israel's impending inheritance of the Promised Land. The Lord, through Moses, explicitly states that this system of justice for accidental manslaughter would not be a temporary measure for their wilderness wandering but a permanent fixture once they were settled in Canaan. This pre-condition highlights God's strategic timing and foresight; the nomadic life had different challenges and a different justice mechanism, whereas a settled existence required a more formal and centralized judicial structure. The establishment of these cities balanced the ancient right of the blood avenger with the need for mercy and due process for unintentional killing, ensuring a just society in the land God was giving them. It speaks to God's orderly character and His concern for justice tempered with mercy, preventing rampant vigilantism and maintaining the sanctity of life within His covenant people.