Bible Commentaries
Numbers 35

Verse 1

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

spake. See note on Numbers 1:1 .

Verse 2

children = sons.

that they give. Jehovah gives to the Nation; the Nation gives to the Levites.

Verse 3

suburbs = pasture grounds.

Verse 4

cubits. See App-51 .

Verse 5

to them. A special various reading called Sevir ( App-34 ) reads "to you", with which agree some codices, Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and one early printed edition.

Verse 6

six cities. See Deuteronomy 4:41 .Joshua 20:2 , Joshua 20:7 , Joshua 20:8 ; Joshua 21:3 .

Verse 7

forty and eight cities. Compare Joshua 21:11 . So was Genesis 49:5 , Genesis 49:7 fulfilled, that Levi should be "divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel". At first a curse, but changed to a blessing on account of Exodus 32:26 , Exodus 32:29 .

Verse 8

according to his inheritance. Nine from Judah and Simeon; four from Benjamin; four from Ephraim; four from Dan; two from the half of Manasseh; two from the other half; four from Issachar; four from Asher; three from Naphtali; four from Zebulon; four from Reuben; four from Gad. Compare Joshua 21:9 , Joshua 21:16 , &c.

Verse 10

When ye be come. Compare Deuteronomy 19:2 .Joshua 20:2 .

Verse 11

person = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

at unawares = by misadventure.

Verse 12

avenger. Hebrew. Goel, to redeem, to ransom. First occurrence is Genesis 48:16 ; next, Exodus 6:6 ; Exodus 15:13 . Goel, when used in this connection, means to avenge bloodshed, as here; both were the duties of the next of kin, the kinsman. Our Goel not only redeems us from all evil, but avenges us of all our enemies. Romans 8:31-34 .

Verse 14

three cities = Bezer, Ramoth, Golan (Deuteronomy 4:41-43 ).

and three = Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron (Joshua 20:7 ). These were placed in due order, east and west, in two ranks: Hebron over against Bezer. Shechem over against Ramoth. Kedesh over against Golan. If the Lord enlarged their land, they were to add three more (Deuteronomy 19:8 , Deuteronomy 19:9 ).

Verse 15

person = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 19

revenger of blood. See note on Numbers 35:12 ,

Verse 20

of hatred. Deuteronomy 19:11 , Deuteronomy 19:12 .

laying of wait = fixing the eyes upon. Hebrew. zediyyah. Occurs only here and Numbers 35:22 .

Verse 22

without enmity. Compare Exodus 21:13 .

Verse 23

was not his enemy. Hebrew "he not [being] his enemy".

Verse 29

statute of judgment = a regulative ordinance. Compare Numbers 27:11 .

dwellings = dwelling-places.

Verse 30

person = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

mouth. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the evidence given by it.

Verse 31

no satisfaction = no ransom. Compare Psalms 49:7 . Only God can redeem (Numbers 35:15 ).

life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

which is guilty of death = if he has unlawfully caused death: "guilty" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 , for the crime which has caused it. Hebrew "wicked, to die".

Verse 32

priest: i.e. the high priest. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, and Syriac, read it so, as in Numbers 35:28 .

Verse 33

wherein ye are. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "wherein ye are dwelling".

blood: i.e. blood unlawfully shed.

him that shed it. Compare Genesis 9:6 .

Verse 34

Defile not = Defile thou not. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "Defile ye not".

wherein = in the midst of which.

among = in the midst of.