SEV Biblia, Chapter 35:28
Pues en su ciudad de acogimiento habitará hasta que muera el sumo sacerdote; y después que muriere el sumo sacerdote, el homicida volverá a la tierra de su posesión.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 28. Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest , etc.] Nothing could give him his liberty but his death; so that though this was a merciful provision made in such cases for such persons, and was a considerable benefit and privilege, yet it carried in it some appearance of a punishment; since such a person was confined within the boundaries of one of the cities of refuge as long as the high priest lived; and this was done to make persons cautious how they were any way accessory to the death of another, though without design: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession ; to that part of the land, and to that tribe to which he belonged, to his house and family, and to his possessions and inheritances, whatever he had, and to all the honours and privileges he before enjoyed, and under no danger from the avenger of blood henceforward: a custom somewhat like this has prevailed in some parts of Africa, as Leo Africanus relates, that if a man happened to kill another, all the friends of the deceased conspired to kill him, but if they could not effect it, then the guilty person was proclaimed an exile from the city, for the whole space of seven years; and at the expiration of the whole seven years, when he returned from his exile, the chief men of the city invited him to a feast, and so he was restored to his liberty: temples, groves, altars, and statues, were common among other nations for asylums or refuges, but whole cities very rarely with the ancients; it seems there were some f525 .
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
כי 3588 בעיר 5892 מקלטו 4733 ישׁב 3427 עד 5704 מות 4194 הכהן 3548 הגדל 1419 ואחרי 310 מות 4194 הכהן 3548 הגדל 1419 ישׁוב 7725 הרצח 7523 אל 413 ארץ 776 אחזתו׃ 272
