XXXV. (2) CITIES TO DWELL IN. — The object of the dispersion of the Levites throughout the other tribes seems to have been primarily with a view to the instruction of their brethren in the law of the Lord (Deuteronomy 33:10). It is probable that the Levites also discharged all those other functions... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEIR CATTLE... — The word which is rendered “cattle” generally denotes oxen and beasts of burden. The word which is rendered “goods” probably refers here to the sheep and goats. (Cf. 2 Chronicles 21:14; 2 Chronicles 35:7.) The passage may be rendered, _for their cattle and for their substance,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND YE SHALL MEASURE FROM WITHOUT THE CITY ON THE EAST SIDE TWO THOUSAND CUBITS... — The explanation of this passage commonly given by Jewish writers is that the area included by four lines drawn at a distance of 1,000 cubits from the walls of the city was to be allotted to the Levites for their cat... [ Continue Reading ]
(6, 7, 8) AND AMONG THE CITIES WHICH YE SHALL GIVE... — The construction of this verse is involved; or, rather, there is a suspension of the subject in Numbers 35:6, and a resumption of it in Numbers 35:7. The verses may be rendered thus: _And as to the cities which ye shall give to the Levites, viz... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN YE BE COME OVER JORDAN... — Or, _Ye are going over the Jordan into the land of Canaan; and ye shall appoint_...... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SHALL BE UNTO YOU CITIES FOR REFUGE... — Better, _And the cities shall be unto you for refuge_ (or, _as a place of refuge_)_ from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stand before the congregation for judgment._ The avenger (Heb., _goel_) was the near kinsman whose office it... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SHALL GIVE THREE CITIES ON THIS SIDE JORDAN. — The meaning of the Hebrew word which is here rendered “on this side” is determined by the words “in the land of Canaan,” which describe the position of the three cities on the west of the Jordan. Otherwise the Hebrew word is applicable equally to the... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE STRANGER, AND FOR THE SOJOURNER... — The word _ger,_ “stranger,” properly denotes a foreigner who took up a temporary abode amongst the Israelites; whereas _toshab,_ “sojourner,” denotes one who was settled in Israel. Sometimes, however, the words _ger_ and _toshab_ appear to be used as a co... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF HE SMITE... — Better, _And if he smote_... WITH THROWING A STONE. — Literally, _with a stone of the hand_ — _i.e.,_ a stone held in the hand, whether thrown or used as the “weapon of wood” of Numbers 35:18. AND HE DIE. — Better, _and he died. _... [ Continue Reading ]
_(_20_)_ BUT IF HE THRUST HIM... — Better, _And if..._ THAT HE DIE. — Better, _that he died._ So in Numbers 35:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF HE THRUST HIM SUDDENLY... — See Deuteronomy 19:4, where the meaning of the law is illustrated.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SHALL ABIDE IN IT UNTO THE DEATH OF THE HIGH PRIEST. — Although the death which had been occasioned was accidental, not intentional, nevertheless the shedding of blood demanded expiation. The manslayer was, therefore, required to remain an exile from his own home until the death of the high p... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF THE SLAYER SHALL AT ANY TIME COME WITHOUT THE BORDER OF THE CITY... — As the bodily safety of the Israelite who had slain a man depended upon his strict observance of the law which required him to remain within the city of refuge until the death of the high priest, so in the same way the spir... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE MOUTH OF WITNESSES. — The number of witnesses is not here specified. In Deuteronomy 17:6 it is ordained that the crime of idolatry should be punished with death “at the mouth of two witnesses, or of three witnesses;” and in Deuteronomy 19:15 it is ordained in general terms that “one witness s... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER YE SHALL TAKE NO SATISFACTION FOR THE LIFE OF A MURDERER... — The Israelites were not allowed to make terms with the relatives of the man who had been slain, as is not unfrequently the case at the present time; nor were they permitted to allow the man who had slain any one unintentionally t... [ Continue Reading ]