Numbers 35:9 kjv
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Numbers 35:9 nkjv
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Numbers 35:9 niv
Then the LORD said to Moses:
Numbers 35:9 esv
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Numbers 35:9 nlt
The LORD said to Moses,
Numbers 35 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 4:41 | Then Moses set apart three cities in Transjordan... for the slayer. | Establishment of first 3 refuge cities. |
| Deut 19:1-10 | When the LORD your God cuts off the nations... you shall set apart three cities... | Command to establish cities for accidental death. |
| Josh 20:1-9 | Then the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel... designating the cities of refuge...” | Actual implementation of the cities. |
| Exod 21:12-14 | “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies... I will appoint for you a place to which he may flee." | Early law differentiating murder from accident. |
| Deut 19:4 | "This is the provision for the slayer who flees there, that he may live..." | Defines the case of unintentional killing. |
| Num 35:6 | “The cities that you give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge..." | Clarifies purpose for specific Levite cities. |
| Josh 21:13 | Hebron with its pasture lands, a city of refuge for the slayer... | Hebron named as a city of refuge. |
| 1 Chr 6:67 | They gave them Gezer with its pasture lands... | Additional example of a specific city. |
| Lev 24:17 | "Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death." | Law on capital punishment for intentional murder. |
| Gen 9:6 | "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed..." | Foundational law concerning the sanctity of life. |
| Num 35:25 | "The congregation shall rescue the slayer from the hand of the avenger..." | Role of the community in protecting the accused. |
| Num 35:15 | "These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger..." | Refuge for both native and foreigner. |
| Heb 6:18 | "...we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us." | Spiritual parallel: Christ as our refuge. |
| Ps 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. | God as spiritual refuge. |
| Isa 4:6 | There will be a shelter for shade... a refuge and a hiding place... | Prophetic promise of a future refuge. |
| Joel 3:16 | The LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel. | God as a protector and safe place. |
| Zech 9:12 | Return to the stronghold, O prisoners of hope... | Call to find refuge in God's promises. |
| 1 John 3:15 | Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer... | New Testament emphasis on intent, broader definition. |
| Rom 12:19 | Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God... | Principle of avoiding personal vengeance. |
| Matt 5:38-39 | "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil." | Jesus refines "lex talionis" from heart's intent. |
| 2 Cor 5:19-21 | ...God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself... For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. | Atonement provides spiritual refuge from wrath. |
Numbers 35 verses
Numbers 35 9 Meaning
Numbers 35:9 initiates the divine instruction to establish the cities of refuge within the promised land of Canaan. This command, delivered by the LORD to Moses, marks the beginning of specific legislation concerning the accidental killing of another human being, providing a sanctuary for the unintentional slayer while distinguishing from premeditated murder. It underlines God's meticulous attention to justice and mercy in the community.
Numbers 35 9 Context
Numbers chapter 35, where verse 9 is found, outlines the division of land and responsibilities after the Israelites' forty years of wilderness wandering, in preparation for entering Canaan. The preceding verses (Num 35:1-8) detail the allocation of cities and pasturelands for the Levites, who received no tribal inheritance of land themselves, but were given specific cities among the other tribes. Directly following this instruction for the Levite cities, the LORD immediately commands the designation of certain Levite cities as "cities of refuge." This reflects a crucial aspect of Israelite law and community: ensuring justice, preventing tribal blood feuds, and providing a legal framework for addressing accidental homicides. The instruction arises from the need to regulate consequences for death, uphold the sanctity of human life, and provide a safeguard against unchecked vengeance from a "blood avenger" (go'el haddam).
Numbers 35 9 Word analysis
- Then (וַיְדַבֵּר / wayyə·ḏab·bêr): This conjunction and verb begins a new section of divine discourse. It directly links the following commands to the prior instructions about the Levite cities, indicating a continuous divine legislative act. It signals a shift from the provision for Levite habitation to the specific function of some of those cities.
- the LORD (יְהוָה / YHWH): Refers to the personal, covenantal God of Israel. His speaking signifies ultimate divine authority and the binding nature of the commands. It underscores that this law is not of human invention but of divine origin and purpose.
- spoke (דִּבֶּר / ḏib·ber): This verb signifies direct, authoritative communication from God. It highlights a divine revelation, emphasizing that the laws concerning cities of refuge are divinely ordained, essential to God's standard of justice and order among His people.
- to Moses (אֶל־מֹשֶׁה / ’el-Mōsheh): Moses acts as the chosen mediator and recipient of divine law for Israel. This phrasing repeatedly emphasizes Moses' unique role in receiving and conveying God's will to the nation.
- saying (לֵאמֹר / lê·mōr): This particle often precedes direct speech or instructions. It sets apart the exact words that follow as the direct divine command, drawing attention to their specific content and critical importance.
- Words-group: "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying": This common formula throughout the Pentateuch stresses the direct divine origin of the law and its transmission through Moses. It authenticates the ensuing legislation as absolute and divine, not merely human suggestion. For a society without a written constitution in the modern sense, this consistent divine preface imbued every command with undeniable authority and covenantal significance.
Numbers 35 9 Bonus section
The institution of cities of refuge (three east and three west of the Jordan) served as a visible testament to God's ordered justice. Roads leading to these cities were to be kept clear, symbolizing accessibility for those in distress. The slayer was required to remain within the city walls until the death of the reigning high priest. This period symbolized a time of penance and reflection, and the high priest's death, being a type of national atonement, served as the appointed release. The entire system prefigures Christ as the ultimate refuge for those fleeing the just wrath of God against sin, providing forgiveness and spiritual protection through His atoning sacrifice. Just as the cities provided a secure sanctuary from physical death, Christ offers eternal refuge from spiritual death.
Numbers 35 9 Commentary
Numbers 35:9 is a foundational verse for understanding the Israelite system of justice concerning life and death. It transitions from the physical settlement of the Levites to a crucial legal provision tied directly to these settlements. The command for "cities of refuge" demonstrates God's profound care for justice, distinguishing between deliberate murder and unintentional killing. This legal framework was a significant advance beyond the unmitigated "blood for blood" vengeance common in many ancient societies. It ensured that while deliberate murder was unequivocally condemned (Num 35:16-21) and justly punished by death, an accidental death did not automatically result in capital punishment for the unintentional slayer, but rather provided a regulated process of investigation and judgment. This balance of justice and mercy showcased God's character and provided a blueprint for a just society, ensuring protection for the innocent (accidental killers) and proper retribution for the guilty. It underscored the sanctity of human life, for both the deceased and the unintentional killer.
Examples:
- Ensuring legal process for those accused of causing a death rather than immediate tribal retaliation.
- Highlighting that while God hates murder, He also extends mercy to the unintentional.