Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. New Living Translation designate cities of refuge to which people can flee if they have killed someone accidentally. English Standard Version then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there. Berean Standard Bible designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. King James Bible Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. New King James Version then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there. New American Standard Bible then you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, so that the one who commits manslaughter by killing a person unintentionally may flee there. NASB 1995 then you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, that the manslayer who has killed any person unintentionally may flee there. NASB 1977 then you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, that the manslayer who has killed any person unintentionally may flee there. Legacy Standard Bible then you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, that the manslayer who has struck down any person unintentionally may flee there. Amplified Bible then you shall select for yourselves cities to be cities of refuge, so that the one who kills any person unintentionally may escape there. Christian Standard Bible designate cities to serve as cities of refuge for you, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. Holman Christian Standard Bible designate cities to serve as cities of refuge for you, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. American Standard Version then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly may flee thither. Contemporary English Version choose Safe Towns, where a person who has accidentally killed someone can run for protection. English Revised Version then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the manslayer which killeth any person unwittingly may flee thither. GOD'S WORD® Translation select certain cities to be places of refuge. Anyone who unintentionally kills another person may run to them. Good News Translation you are to choose cities of refuge to which any of you can escape if you kill someone accidentally. International Standard Version they are to designate some towns of refuge so that anyone who kills someone inadvertently may flee there. Majority Standard Bible designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. NET Bible you must then designate some towns as towns of refuge for you, to which a person who has killed someone unintentionally may flee. New Heart English Bible then you shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person unwittingly may flee there. Webster's Bible Translation Then ye shall appoint for you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, who killeth any person at unawares. World English Bible then you shall appoint for yourselves cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the man slayer who kills any person unwittingly may flee there. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand have prepared cities for yourselves—they are cities of refuge to you—then a manslayer, striking a person through ignorance, has fled there, Young's Literal Translation and have prepared to yourselves cities -- cities of refuge they are to you -- then fled thither hath a man-slayer, smiting a person unawares, Smith's Literal Translation And build ye to you cities; cities of refuge shall they be to you; and the slayer to flee there smiting a soul in error. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleDetermine what cities shall be for the refuge of fugitives, who have shed blood against their will. Catholic Public Domain Version discern which cities ought to be for the protection of fugitives who have shed blood unwillingly. New American Bible select for yourselves cities to serve as cities of asylum, where a homicide who has killed someone inadvertently may flee. New Revised Standard Version then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, so that a slayer who kills a person without intent may flee there. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen you shall select for yourselves cities to he cities of refuge for you; that the person who kills someone unawares may flee there. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Prepare for yourselves cities to be a place of refuge for you that a killer, whoever may kill a soul by accident, may escape there. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer that killeth any person through error may flee thither. Brenton Septuagint Translation And ye shall appoint to yourselves cities: they shall be to you cities of refuge for the slayer to flee to, every one who has killed another unintentionally. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Six Cities of Refuge…10“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 11designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. 12You are to have these cities as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly.… Cross References Joshua 20:2-9 “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, / so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. / When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them. ... Deuteronomy 19:2-10 then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess. / You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities. / Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him: ... Exodus 21:13 If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. Hebrews 6:18 Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged. Joshua 21:13-38 So to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave these cities, together with their pasturelands: Hebron, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Libnah, / Jattir, Eshtemoa, / Holon, Debir, ... Deuteronomy 4:41-43 Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east / to which a manslayer could flee after killing his neighbor unintentionally without prior malice. To save one’s own life, he could flee to one of these cities: / Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau belonging to the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the Gadites, or Golan in Bashan belonging to the Manassites. Acts 17:31 For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” Psalm 46:1 For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. 1 Kings 2:28-34 When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ... 1 Chronicles 6:57-81 So the descendants of Aaron were given Hebron (a city of refuge), Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, / Hilen, Debir, / Ashan, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh, together with their pasturelands. ... Matthew 5:21-22 You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. Romans 12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Isaiah 4:6 a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and the rain. Ezekiel 11:16 Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries to which they have gone.’ Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place for her to be nourished for 1,260 days. Treasury of Scripture Then you shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which kills any person at unawares. ye shall appoint. Numbers 35:6 And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities. Joshua 20:2 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: unawares. Numbers 35:22,23 But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait, … Exodus 21:13 And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee. Deuteronomy 4:42 That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live: Jump to Previous Accidentally Appoint Cities Error Intent Killed Killeth Kills Manslayer Marked Places Refuge Safe Select Slayer Someone Thither Towns Unawares Unintentionally Unwittingly YourselvesJump to Next Accidentally Appoint Cities Error Intent Killed Killeth Kills Manslayer Marked Places Refuge Safe Select Slayer Someone Thither Towns Unawares Unintentionally Unwittingly YourselvesNumbers 35 1. Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof6. Six of them are to be cities of refuge 9. The laws of murder and manslaughter 31. No satisfaction for murder designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge The concept of cities of refuge is introduced here as part of the Mosaic Law, providing a place of asylum for those who have committed manslaughter. These cities were strategically located throughout the land of Israel to ensure accessibility. The establishment of these cities reflects God's justice and mercy, offering protection while awaiting a fair trial. The cities of refuge are a type of Christ, who provides refuge and salvation for sinners. In Joshua 20, the specific cities are named: Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan. so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there Persons / Places / Events 1. Cities of RefugeDesignated places where individuals who committed unintentional manslaughter could seek asylum to avoid revenge from the victim's family until a fair trial could be conducted. 2. Manslayer A person who has killed another unintentionally, without premeditation or malice aforethought. 3. Israelites The people of God to whom these laws were given, emphasizing justice and mercy within their community. 4. Levitical Cities The cities of refuge were among the 48 cities given to the Levites, the priestly tribe of Israel, indicating a connection between justice and spiritual oversight. 5. Avenger of Blood A family member of the deceased who had the cultural duty to avenge the death, highlighting the need for a legal system to prevent cycles of violence. Teaching Points Justice and MercyThe cities of refuge illustrate God's balance of justice and mercy, providing protection for those who have sinned unintentionally while ensuring a fair trial. The Sanctity of Life This law underscores the value God places on human life, requiring careful consideration and due process before taking action against someone who has caused a death. Spiritual Refuge Just as the cities provided physical safety, believers today find spiritual refuge in Christ, who offers protection and forgiveness. Community Responsibility The establishment of these cities highlights the community's role in upholding justice and protecting the vulnerable, a principle that applies to the church today. Forgiveness and Reconciliation The provision for unintentional manslaughter encourages forgiveness and reconciliation, rather than revenge, within the community.Verse 11. - Ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you. God had already announced that he would appoint a place whither one guilty of unpremeditated manslaughter might flee for safety (Exodus 21:18). The expression there used does not point to more than one "place," but it is not inconsistent with several. Probably the right of sanctuary has been recognized from the earliest times in which any local appropriation of places to sacred purposes has been made. It is an instinct of religion to look upon one who has escaped into a sacred enclosure as being under the personal protection of the presiding deity. It is certain that the right was largely recognized in Egypt, where the priestly caste was so powerful and ambitious; and this is no doubt the reason (humanly speaking) for the promise in Exodus 21:13, and for the command in the following verse. Inasmuch as the whole of Canaan was the Lord's, any places within it might he endowed with rights of sanctuary, but it was obviously suitable that they should be Levitical cities; the Divine prerogative of mercy could nowhere be better exercised, nor would any citizens be better qualified to pronounce and to uphold the rightful decision in each case. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew designateוְהִקְרִיתֶ֤ם (wə·hiq·rî·ṯem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 7136: To light upon, to bring about, to impose timbers cities עָרִ֔ים (‘ā·rîm) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 5892: Excitement to serve as תִּהְיֶ֣ינָה (tih·ye·nāh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be your לָכֶ֑ם (lā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew cities עָרֵ֥י (‘ā·rê) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 5892: Excitement of refuge, מִקְלָ֖ט (miq·lāṭ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4733: Refuge, asylum so that a person רֹצֵ֔חַ (rō·ṣê·aḥ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7523: To dash in pieces, kill, to murder who kills מַכֵּה־ (mak·kêh-) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct Strong's 5221: To strike someone נֶ֖פֶשׁ (ne·p̄eš) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion unintentionally בִּשְׁגָגָֽה׃ (biš·ḡā·ḡāh) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7684: A mistake, inadvertent transgression may flee וְנָ֥ס (wə·nās) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away there. שָׁ֙מָּה֙ (šām·māh) Adverb | third person feminine singular Strong's 8033: There, then, thither Links Numbers 35:11 NIVNumbers 35:11 NLT Numbers 35:11 ESV Numbers 35:11 NASB Numbers 35:11 KJV Numbers 35:11 BibleApps.com Numbers 35:11 Biblia Paralela Numbers 35:11 Chinese Bible Numbers 35:11 French Bible Numbers 35:11 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 35:11 Then you shall appoint you cities (Nu Num.) |
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