SEV Biblia, Chapter 35:33
Y no contaminaréis la tierra donde estuviereis; porque esta sangre contaminará la tierra; y la tierra no será expiada de la sangre que fue derramada en ella, sino por la sangre del que la derramó.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Numbers 35:33
Verse 33. For blood it defileth the land] The very land was considered as guilty till the blood of the murderer was shed in it. No wonder God is so particularly strict in his laws against murderers, 1. Because he is the author of life, and none have any right to dispose of it but himself. 2. Because life is the time to prepare for the eternal world, and on it the salvation of the soul accordingly depends; therefore it is of infinite consequence to the man that his life be lengthened out to the utmost limits assigned by Divine Providence. As he who takes a man's life away before his time may be the murderer of his soul as well as of his body, the severest laws should be enacted against this, both to punish and prevent the crime. THE Mosaic cities of refuge have in general been considered, not merely as civil institutions, but as types or representations of infinitely better things; and in this light St. Paul seems to have considered them and the altar of God, which was a place of general refuge, as it is pretty evident that he had them in view when writing the following words: "God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath; that by two immutable things, (his oath and promise,) in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation who have FLED for REFUGE to lay HOLD upon the HOPE set before us," Heb. vi. 17, 18. Independently of this, it was a very wise political institute; and while the patriarchal law on this point continued in force, this law had a direct tendency to cool and moderate the spirit of revenge, to secure the proper accomplishment of the ends of justice, and to make way for every claim of mercy and equity. But this is not peculiar to the ordinance of the cities of refuge; every institution of God is distinguished in the same way, having his own glory, in the present and eternal welfare of man, immediately in view.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 33. So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are , etc.] The land of Canaan, as it had been by the old inhabitants of it, by idolatry, adultery, and murder: for blood it defileth the land : the shedding of innocent blood defiles a nation, and the inhabitants of it, brings guilt thereon, and subjects to punishment: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it ; or “there can be no expiation” f527 , or “atonement made” for it in any other way; the blood of the murderer is required at his hands, and nothing short of it will satisfy law and justice, (see Genesis 9:6).
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
ולא 3808 תחניפו 2610 את 853 הארץ 776 אשׁר 834 אתם 859 בה כי 3588 הדם 1818 הוא 1931 יחניף 2610 את 853 הארץ 776 ולארץ 776 לא 3808 יכפר 3722 לדם 1818 אשׁר 834 שׁפך 8210 בה כי 3588 אם 518 בדם 1818 שׁפכו׃ 8210
