_THE LORD COMMANDS FORTY-EIGHT CITIES, OUT OF THE TWELVE TRIBES, TO BE GIVEN TO THE LEVITES; SIX WHEREOF WERE TO BE THE CITIES OF REFUGE, TO WHICH THE MAN-SLAYER MIGHT FLY TILL THE DEATH OF THE HIGH-PRIEST._ _Before Christ 1452._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES,—SAYING— As the priests and Levites, were a distinct body from the rest of the nation, and had no share in the division of the country, God here assigns them several towns for their residence, with such a portion of ground about them as would serve for their decent subs... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SUBURBS OF THE CITIES SHALL REACH, &C.— In the version of the LXX, _instead of a thousand cubits round about,_ it is _two thousand cubits,_ which, from the next verse, appears evidently to have been the true and original reading; a reading which entirely removes all those difficulties wherewith... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AMONG THE CITIES WHICH YE SHALL GIVE UNTO THE LEVITES, THERE SHALL BE SIX CITIES FOR REFUGE, &C.— The cities of the Levites were appointed for this purpose, rather than any other, because they were a kind of sacred places inhabited by sacred persons; and here men might spend their time better th... [ Continue Reading ]
THREE CITIES ON THIS SIDE JORDAN, AND THREE CITIES—IN THE LAND OF CANAAN— This appears not to be an equal partition, the land of Canaan being much larger than the territory beyond Jordan; for it contained about three parts in four of the tribes of Israel: but it is to be considered, that the country... [ Continue Reading ]
IF HE SMITE HIM WITH AN INSTRUMENT OF IRON, &C.— It appears from these verses, that it made no difference with what kind of weapon the man was killed; if he was killed wittingly and knowingly, this was adjudged murder, and the guilty person was to die for it. For though, perhaps, he had no formed in... [ Continue Reading ]
THE REVENGER OF BLOOD HIMSELF SHALL SLAY THE MURDERER— The Jews understand this as an absolute order for the avenger of blood to kill the murderer; but others suppose, that it is only a permission to the avenger, and after actual and legal condemnation of the murderer: an opinion which seems much co... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF, &C.— Here the case of malice prepense is provided for. Houbigant renders it, _in like manner,_ if _any one strike a man through hatred._ See Deuteronomy 19:11. Le Clerc thinks, that the words _when he meeteth him,_ (Numbers 35:19; Numbers 35:21.) shew, that Moses here speaks of one who took... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CONGREGATION SHALL DELIVER THE SLAYER—UNTO THE DEATH OF THE HIGH PRIEST— By this punishment inflicted on the man-slayer, others were taught to be very watchful over themselves, lest by negligence they should chance to kill any body, and so be forced into banishment. It would be endless to relate... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE SLAYER—COME WITHOUT THE BORDER, &C.— The reason of this law seems to be; because thus the man-slayer was, in some sort, accessary to his own death: for he might have been safe if he had pleased, though, at the same time, Moses in this seems to have indulged the Jews in the hardness of their h... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE WITNESS SHALL NOT TESTIFY AGAINST ANY PERSON— This is a wise precaution to prevent the shedding of innocent blood. The Jews tell us, that where there was but one witness, though he who was accused of the murder could not be put to death, yet he was thrown into a very strait prison, and there fed... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SHALL TAKE NO SATISFACTION, &C.— See Genesis 9:6 and Leviticus 24:20. Lord Clarendon, upon this and the 33rd verse, observes, that there is no established government in Christendom where the pardon of murder is not against the law.... [ Continue Reading ]