Numbers 35:11 kjv
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.
Numbers 35:11 nkjv
then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there.
Numbers 35:11 niv
select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee.
Numbers 35:11 esv
then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there.
Numbers 35:11 nlt
designate cities of refuge to which people can flee if they have killed someone accidentally.
Numbers 35 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 21:13 | If he did not lie in wait, but God let it happen… then I will appoint for you a place to which he may flee. | Divine origin of sanctuary principle. |
| Dt 4:41-43 | Then Moses set apart three cities in Transjordan… to which a manslayer could flee. | Moses' initial designation of Eastern cities. |
| Dt 19:1-10 | When the LORD your God cuts off the nations… then you shall designate three more cities. | Expansion and reiteration of the law for future. |
| Josh 20:1-9 | The LORD spoke to Joshua… designate the cities of refuge… | Joshua's implementation and specific naming of the cities. |
| Num 35:6 | The cities that you give… there shall be six cities of refuge. | Specifying the total number of cities. |
| Num 35:12 | The manslayer shall flee there, till he stands before the congregation for judgment. | Purpose for temporary refuge, awaiting fair trial. |
| Num 35:16-21 | If he struck him with an iron instrument, so that he died… | Differentiates intentional murder vs. unintentional acts. |
| Heb 6:18 | that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement… | Spiritual parallel: seeking refuge in God/Christ. |
| Psa 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. | God as the ultimate refuge and protection. |
| Psa 62:8 | Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. | Personal application of God's refuge. |
| Prov 18:10 | The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. | Figurative refuge in God's character. |
| Judg 20:46-47 | all who fell that day… six hundred men turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon. | An historical instance of seeking physical refuge. |
| Dt 21:1-9 | If in the land that the LORD your God is giving you… a person is found slain, lying in the open country… | Related law on dealing with unsolved homicide. |
| Lev 4:2-3 | When anyone sins unintentionally in any of the LORD’s commandments… | Broader concept of unintentional sin. |
| Jas 4:17 | So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. | Emphasizing culpability related to knowledge/intent. |
| Zech 9:12 | Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope. | Prophetic call to find hope and refuge in God. |
| Matt 11:28 | Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. | Christ as the spiritual resting place and refuge. |
| Jn 1:29 | Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! | Christ as ultimate means of reconciliation for all sin. |
| Eph 2:1-5 | And you were dead in the trespasses and sins… God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us… | God's mercy extends even to those spiritually dead. |
| Rom 8:1 | There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. | Freedom from spiritual judgment in Christ as a "refuge." |
Numbers 35 verses
Numbers 35 11 Meaning
Numbers 35:11 establishes the divine mandate for cities of refuge in the promised land of Canaan. These designated sanctuaries were purposed to protect individuals who had caused the death of another person unintentionally, preventing immediate retaliation from the avenger of blood. This provision demonstrates God's commitment to justice by distinguishing between willful murder and accidental manslaughter, providing a means for due process and safeguarding the lives of those not guilty of premeditated crime.
Numbers 35 11 Context
Numbers 35 begins by detailing the allocation of forty-eight cities and their surrounding pasturelands to the Levites throughout the tribes of Israel, a significant act demonstrating divine provision for their role. Verses 9-34 then shift to a crucial aspect of Israelite justice: the establishment and regulations concerning the cities of refuge. This section addresses the sanctity of human life, the problem of bloodshed, and the legal framework for differentiating between intentional murder and accidental death. Verse 11 introduces the very concept of these cities and their fundamental purpose. Historically, in ancient Near Eastern societies, "blood vengeance" was a widespread practice where family members of a slain individual had the right and duty to kill the slayer. God's institution of the cities of refuge, distinct from tribal retribution, represented a more advanced and just legal system that provided due process and a path for distinguishing intent, thereby curbing indiscriminate vengeance and ensuring that innocent lives were protected until a fair trial could determine guilt. This also subtly polemicized against pagan practices of uncontrolled retribution or sacrificing individuals to appease offended spirits, emphasizing God's orderly justice system.
Numbers 35 11 Word analysis
- then ye shall appoint you cities: The phrase uses the Hebrew verb
natat(נָתַן), meaning "to give," "place," or "appoint." Here, it signifies a divine command for Israel to proactively set aside and establish these places. The command is not optional but a foundational element of justice. The "cities" (עָרִים -arim) refer to specifically designated municipal centers, not just any settlement. This instruction highlights the ordered and deliberate nature of God's legal system. - to be cities of refuge for you: "Cities of refuge" is
ʿarê miqlāṭ(עָרֵי מִקְלָט). The wordmiqlāṭ(מִקְלָט) is derived from the rootqālat(קָלַט), meaning "to receive," "collect," or "gather in." It denotes a place of reception or a haven, emphasizing that these cities were places to "snatch up" and protect those fleeing danger. The phrase "for you" emphasizes that this system benefited not just the individual manslayer but also the entire community by maintaining justice, order, and preventing blood feuds from escalating into wider conflicts. It underscored communal responsibility. - that the slayer may flee thither: "Slayer" is
ha-rōṣēaḥ(הָרֹצֵחַ), a term that describes one who has killed, but importantly, without prejudging the intent at this point. It implies a legal process is needed. The verb "flee" isyānûṣ(יָנוּץ), which conveys urgency and the need for immediate escape from the avenger of blood (gō'ēl ha-dām). "Thither" (šām- שָׁם) indicates a specific, known, and divinely sanctioned destination for safety. - which killeth any person unawares: The crucial phrase here is "unawares," translated from the Hebrew
bišgāgāh(בִּשְׁגָגָה), meaning "unintentionally," "by mistake," "erroneously," or "inadvertently." This word, rooted inšāgag(שָׁגַג), "to err" or "go astray," is central to distinguishing manslaughter from premeditated murder. It reflects God's meticulous justice, which evaluates the intent behind an act. This provision was groundbreaking in the ancient world, where motive often held less weight than the outcome in retaliatory justice systems, directly challenging simplistic retribution (lex talionis) when applied to accidental scenarios.
Numbers 35 11 Bonus section
The institution of cities of refuge (six in total, three on each side of the Jordan River: Bezer, Ramoth-Gilead, Golan in the East; Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron in the West) were to be Levitical cities. This choice was significant, as the Levites, being set apart for service to God, could provide spiritual guidance and instruction within these cities. Their presence underscored that these were not just legal institutions but part of a divine order for a holy nation. The manslayer had to remain in the city of refuge until the death of the current High Priest, after which they could safely return to their own property (Num 35:28). This provided a fixed, God-ordained period of exile and foreshadowed a greater "atonement" by a "High Priest" (Christ), allowing for true liberation. This complex legal system underscored that unintentional sin still carried consequences, but grace provided a structured path for redemption and rehabilitation within the community.
Numbers 35 11 Commentary
Numbers 35:11 lays the groundwork for one of the most innovative and humane legal provisions in the ancient world. The establishment of "cities of refuge" was not merely a concession to ancient custom, but a profound expression of God's justice, mercy, and foresight. These cities were consecrated spaces where the accidental manslayer could find temporary sanctuary from the gō'ēl ha-dām (avenger of blood) until a formal, public trial could determine the exact nature of the act. This system safeguarded innocent lives while preventing rampant vigilantism, demonstrating God's meticulous concern for distinguishing intent. It served as a vital bulwark against societal chaos, upholding the sanctity of life (Exo 21:12; Num 35:30) and ensuring that land defilement by innocent blood was avoided. The specific Hebrew terms employed (miqlāṭ for refuge, rōṣēaḥ for killer (pending judgment), and bišgāgāh for unintentional) highlight the precision of the law. Ultimately, these physical havens foreshadow the spiritual refuge found in God through Christ, where sinners, unintentionally and intentionally separated from God, can find grace and protection from spiritual condemnation (Heb 6:18).