SEV Biblia, Chapter 35:11
os señalaréis ciudades, ciudades de acogimiento tendréis, donde huya el homicida que hiriere a alguno por yerro.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:11
Verse 11. Ye shall appoint-cities of refuge] The cities of refuge among the Israelites were widely different from the asyla among the Greeks and Romans, as also from the privileged altars among the Roman Catholics. Those among the Hebrews were for the protection of such only as had slain a person involuntarily. The temples and altars among the latter often served for the protection of the most profligate characters. Cities of refuge among the Hebrews were necessary, because the old patriarchal law still remained in force, viz., that the nearest akin had a right to avenge the death of his relation by slaying the murderer; for the original law enacted that whosoever shed man's blood, by man should his blood be shed, Gen. ix. 6, and none was judged so proper to execute this law as the man who was nearest akin to the deceased. As many rash executions of this law might take place, from the very nature of the thing, it was deemed necessary to qualify its claims, and prevent injustice; and the cities of refuge were judged proper for this purpose. Nor do we ever read that they were ever found inefficient, or that they were ever abused.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 11. Then ye shall appoint your cities to be cities of refuge for you , etc.] And, according to the Jewish writers f510 , these were neither to be made large nor little, but middling; and they appointed them where there were markets and fairs, at which goods were to be sold; and where there was plenty of water, and a multitude of people; and where there were but few, they fetched others from other places; and they neither made nets for hunting, nor twisted ropes in them, nor sold any warlike instruments, lest the avenger of blood should use himself to come thither, under pretence of buying such things, and kill the manslayer: that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares; or through error f511 , or mistake, not on purpose, with design, or through malice and enmity, as is afterwards more largely explained.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 9-34 - To show plainly the abhorrence of murder, and to provide the mor effectually for the punishment of the murderer, the nearest relation of the deceased, under the title of avenger of blood, (or the redeemer of blood,) in notorious cases, might pursue, and execute vengeance. distinction is made, not between sudden anger and malice aforethought both which are the crime of murder; but between intentionally strikin a man with any weapon likely to cause death, and an unintentional blow In the latter case alone, the city of refuge afforded protection Murder in all its forms, and under all disguises, pollutes a land Alas! that so many murders, under the name of duels, prize-fights, &c should pass unpunished. There were six cities of refuge; one or othe might be reached in less than a day's journey from any part of the land. To these, man-slayers might flee for refuge, and be safe, til they had a fair trial. If acquitted from the charge, they wer protected from the avenger of blood; yet they must continue within the bounds of the city till the death of the high priest. Thus we ar reminded that the death of the great High Priest is the only mean whereby sins are pardoned, and sinners set at liberty. These cities ar plainly alluded to, both in the Old and New Testament, we cannot doub the typical character of their appointment. Turn ye to the strong hold ye prisoners of hope, saith the voice of mercy, Zec 9:12, alluding to the city of refuge. St. Paul describes the strong consolation of fleeing for refuge to the hope set before us, in a passage alway applied to the gracious appointment of the cities of refuge, Heb 6:18 The rich mercies of salvation, through Christ, prefigured by thes cities, demand our regard. 1. Did the ancient city rear its towers of safety on high? See Christ raised up on the cross; and is he no exalted at the right hand of his Father, to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance and remission of sins? 2. Does not the highway of salvation, resemble the smooth and plain path to the city of refuge Survey the path that leads to the Redeemer. Is there an stumbling-block to be found therein, except that which an evil heart of unbelief supplies for its own fall? 3. Waymarks were set up pointing to the city. And is it not the office of the ministers of the gospel to direct sinners to Him? 4. The gate of the city stood open night an day. Has not Christ declared, Him that cometh unto me I will in nowis cast out? 5. The city of refuge afforded support to every one wh entered its walls. Those who have reached the refuge, may live by fait on Him whose flesh is meat indeed, and whose blood is drink indeed. 6 The city was a refuge for all. In the gospel there is no respect of persons. That soul lives not which deserves not Divine wrath; that sou lives not which may not in simple faith hope for salvation and lif eternal, through the Son of God __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
והקריתם 7136 לכם ערים 5892 ערי 5892 מקלט 4733 תהיינה 1961 לכם ונס 5127 שׁמה 8033 רצח 7523 מכה 5221 נפשׁ 5315 בשׁגגה׃ 7684
