Chapter 35

1 Eight and forty cities for the Levites with their suburbs, and measure thereof. 6 Six of them are to be cities of refuge. 9 The laws of murder. 31 No satisfaction for murder.

2. Cities to dwell in. The Levites were not given land, vineyards, olive groves, etc., as an inheritance. It was fitting, however, that they should have suitable dwelling houses; therefore cities were set aside for their homes (Lev. 25:32).

Suburbs. Literally, “open land,” or “pasture land,” from the verb “to drive out.” Here reference is to open countryside outside the city, to which cattle could be driven for grazing or that could be used for gardens. “Suburbs” as here used is equivalent to the English word “common,” referring to the open space common to the community (see Eze. 48:10–20).

3. Cattle. The large animals, such as bullocks and camels.

Beasts. This may refer to sheep and goats, or may include all their livestock.

4. A thousand cubits. About 1/4 of a mi. (0.44 km.). Outside the city limits open land was provided for their cattle, their private gardens, and recreational parks, and for burial purposes.

6. Six cities for refuge. Three in Canaan, and three on the east side of Jordan (see Num. 35:14; Deut. 4:43; Joshua 20:7, 8).

Flee. The cities of refuge were a sanctuary, and thus a type of Christ, who shelters the sinner who flees to Him in faith (see Ex. 21:13; Deut. 19:2–9; Ps. 46:1; 142:5; Isa. 4:6; Rom. 8:1, 33, 34; Phil. 3:9; Heb. 6:18, 19).

7. Forty and eight. Compare Joshua 21:41.

8. According to his inheritance. The cities would be distributed according to population (see Num. 26:54; 33:54; Joshua 21:16–32).

11. Unawares. From a word whose root means “to go astray,” “to commit an error.” The word here used means, literally, “by mistake,” “in error” (see Joshua 20:3; Eccl. 5:6). The right of sanctuary was recognized by most nations from remote antiquity.

12. The avenger. From a word whose root generally means “to redeem,” “to act as a kinsman,” implying close personal relationship. The duties of this “kinsman-redeemer” became both varied and many. One of his duties was to avenge a relative’s murder. He was also to contract a levirate marriage (Ruth 3:13), to purchase a kinsman from slavery into which unfortunate circumstances had forced him (Lev. 25:47, 48), to prevent the alienation of family property (Jer. 32:8–12), and to buy back such property as may have fallen into the hands of others (Lev. 25:25).

Stand before the congregation. Just what duties the congregation performed is not stated in detail. But undoubtedly the whole procedure was forensic, with presentation of evidence, discussion, and decision by jury (see Num. 27:2; Deut. 19:17; Joshua 20:6). Note that Deut. 19:12 has the expression “the elders of his city.”

13. Six cities. The six cities set aside were a sure refuge, with the roads leading to them kept in good repair.

15. These six cities. See Joshua 20:7, 8 for their names.

Sojourner. Or, “settler,” referring perhaps to a person who had become attached to a Hebrew family in some more permanent way.

16. Instrument of iron. This phrase not only includes such weapons as swords and spears but various instruments made of iron, the primary function of which was not in war but in peaceful pursuits. It was the intent to kill, whether it was premeditated or was due to sudden anger, that is meant here.

17. With throwing a stone. Literally, “with a stone of the hand,” meaning a stone large enough to be lifted and thrown so as to cause death (see Ex. 21:18).

18. Hand weapon of wood. Such as a shepherd’s staff, or club, a walking stick, etc.

19. Revenger. The goel or “kinsman” (see on v. 12).

Meeteth him. That is, outside the city of refuge.

20. Thrust him. Better, “if he push him,” that is, from some elevated place whence a fall would cause death (see Eze. 34:21).

21. His hand. That is, his fist.

22. Without enmity. That is, in a sudden rise of anger, under provocation but without premeditation, or previous intent to kill (Ex. 21:13; Deut. 19:5).

24. Shall judge. The accused was sent out of the city of refuge, presumably under the protection of an escort, to some place where the community would consider the evidence in the case (Ex. 21:12–14; Deut. 19:1–13).

25. High priest. The safety of the accused lay in his obeying the law of the city of refuge and abiding in it. In so doing he was literally under Levitical, or ecclesiastical, protection, and so subject to the high priest. A new administration would, figuratively, give him a new lease on life.

30. Witnesses. Compare Deut. 17:6; 19:15; Matt. 18:16.

31. No satisfaction. From the noun form of a verb root commonly translated “to make an atonement,” “to make reconciliation,” “to purge.” Here it means that a murderer might not be redeemed by paying a ransom price. This provision emphasizes the dignity of man and the value of his life in the sight of God.

32. No satisfaction. The same word as above. The enforced dwelling in the city of refuge was looked upon as a punishment for carelessness in committing accidental murder. The unintentional slayer of a man was not allowed to return to his home in exchange for a sum of money.

33. Pollute the land. There could be no expiation for the land (see Gen. 4:10; Deut. 21:1–9; Ps. 106:38).

34. Wherein I dwell. The sanctuary of God was among His people, and constituted a strong reason for guarding against “defiling” the land (see Ex. 29:45; Num. 23:21; 2 Chron. 20:11; Zech. 2:10). Compare the NT teaching in 2 Cor. 6:16, of the church, and the ideal state in the new earth (Rev. 21:3).

Ellen G. White comments

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26-33PP 516