SEV Biblia, Chapter 35:12
Y os serán aquellas ciudades por acogimiento del pariente, y no morirá el homicida hasta que esté a juicio delante de la congregación.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:12
Verse 12. Until he stand before the congregation in judgment.] So one of these cities was not a perpetual asylum; It was only a pro tempore refuge, till the case could be fairly examined by the magistrates in the presence of the people, or the elders their representatives; and this was done in the city or place where he had done the murder, Josh. xx. 4, 6. If he was found worthy of death, they delivered him to the avenger that he might be slain, Deut. xix. 12; if not, they sent him back to the city of refuge, where he remained till the death of the high priest, ver. 25. Before the cities of refuge were appointed, the altar appears to have been a sanctuary for those who had killed a person unwittingly; see on Exod. xxi. 13, 14.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. And they shall be unto you cities of refuge from the avenger , etc.] Or near kinsman; for as the right of redemption of an estate that was mortgaged belonged to such an one, so of revenging the blood of any one that was killed: that the manslayer die not ; by the hand of the avenger, who in the heat of his passion would, could he come at him, fall upon him, and slay him, to avenge the death of his relation on him: until he stand before the congregation in judgment ; before the court of judicature, to be examined, tried, and judged, whether the murder was committed knowingly and willingly, or whether through mistake and at unawares: this was done either before the court of judicature in the city of refuge, who took cognizance of such cases directly, that they might know whom to harbour and protect, and whom not; or before the court in the place where the act was committed: interpreters are divided about this; and Calmet is of opinion that he was examined in both courts, first more strictly in the city of refuge, and then more slightly in the place where it was done, which is not improbable; however, this seems manifest from ( Numbers 35:25), that the court where it was committed had power to fetch him from the city of refuge, and set him before them, and examine into the case; and, if an innocent person, restored him to the city of refuge, whither he had fled.
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
והיו 1961 לכם הערים 5892 למקלט 4733 מגאל 1350 ולא 3808 ימות 4191 הרצח 7523 עד 5704 עמדו 5975 לפני 6440 העדה 5712 למשׁפט׃ 4941
