SEV Biblia, Chapter 35:15
Estas seis ciudades serán para acogimiento a los hijos de Israel, y al peregrino, y al que morare entre ellos, para que huya allá cualquiera que hiriere de muerte a otro por yerro.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 15. These six cities shall be a refuge both for the children of Israel and for the stranger , etc.] For an Israelite, and a proselyte of righteousness, one that embraced the Jewish religion, and in all things conformed to it, and to whom there was but one law in things civil and religious: and for the sojourner among you ; the proselyte of the gate, who renounced idolatry, and observed the commands of the sons of Noah, but in other things did not comply with the Jewish ceremonies, yet had the benefit of the cities of refuge equally with the other; though the Jews say f516 , such a proselyte or sojourner had only this privilege, who slew a proselyte, but not if he slew an Israelite; but for this distinction there is no foundation in the text: that everyone that killeth any person unawares may flee thither ; whether an Israelite, or a proselyte of righteousness or of the gate.
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
לבני 1121 ישׂראל 3478 ולגר 1616 ולתושׁב 8453 בתוכם 8432 תהיינה 1961 שׁשׁ 8337 הערים 5892 האלה 428 למקלט 4733 לנוס 5127 שׁמה 8033 כל 3605 מכה 5221 נפשׁ 5315 בשׁגגה׃ 7684
