Numbers 35:15 These six cities will serve as a refuge for the Israelites and for the foreigner or stranger among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there.

◄ Numbers 35:15 ►

New International Version
These six towns will be a place of refuge for Israelites and for foreigners residing among them, so that anyone who has killed another accidentally can flee there.

New Living Translation
These cities are for the protection of Israelites, foreigners living among you, and traveling merchants. Anyone who accidentally kills someone may flee there for safety.

English Standard Version
These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills any person without intent may flee there.

Berean Standard Bible
These six cities will serve as a refuge for the Israelites and for the foreigner or stranger among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there.

King James Bible
These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.

New King James Version
These six cities shall be for refuge for the children of Israel, for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills a person accidentally may flee there.

New American Standard Bible
These six cities shall be a refuge for the sons of Israel, for the stranger, and for the foreign resident among them; so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there.

NASB 1995
‘These six cities shall be for refuge for the sons of Israel, and for the alien and for the sojourner among them; that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there.

NASB 1977
‘These six cities shall be for refuge for the sons of Israel, and for the alien and for the sojourner among them; that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there.

Legacy Standard Bible
These six cities shall be for refuge for the sons of Israel and for the sojourner and for the foreign resident among them; that anyone who strikes a person down unintentionally may flee there.

Amplified Bible
These six cities shall be a refuge for the Israelites and for the stranger and the resident alien among them; so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may escape there.

Christian Standard Bible
These six cities will serve as a refuge for the Israelites and for the alien or temporary resident among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
These six cities will serve as a refuge for the Israelites and for the foreigner or temporary resident among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there.”

American Standard Version
For the children of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, shall these six cities be for refuge; that every one that killeth any person unwittingly may flee thither.

Contemporary English Version
They will be places of protection for anyone who lives in Israel and accidentally kills someone.

English Revised Version
For the children of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, shall these six cities be for refuge: that every one that killeth any person unwittingly may flee thither.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
These six cities will be places of refuge for Israelites, foreigners, and strangers among you. Anyone who unintentionally kills another person may flee to these cities.

Good News Translation
These will serve as cities of refuge for Israelites and for foreigners who are temporary or permanent residents. Anyone who kills someone accidentally can escape to one of them.

International Standard Version
that is, places of refuge for the Israelis, the resident alien, and any travelers among them. Anyone who kills a person inadvertently may flee there."

Majority Standard Bible
These six cities will serve as a refuge for the Israelites and for the foreigner or stranger among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there.

NET Bible
These six towns will be places of refuge for the Israelites, and for the foreigner, and for the settler among them, so that anyone who kills any person accidentally may flee there.

New Heart English Bible
For the children of Israel, and for the stranger and for the foreigner living among them, shall these six cities be for refuge; that everyone who kills any person unwittingly may flee there.

Webster's Bible Translation
These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.

World English Bible
These six cities shall be refuge for the children of Israel, for the stranger, and for the foreigner living among them, that everyone who kills any person unwittingly may flee there.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
For sons of Israel, and for a sojourner, and for a settler in their midst, are these six cities for a refuge, for the fleeing there of anyone striking a person through ignorance.

Young's Literal Translation
To sons of Israel, and to a sojourner, and to a settler in their midst, are these six cities for a refuge, for the fleeing thither of any one smiting a person unawares.

Smith's Literal Translation
For the sons of Israel and for the stranger, and for the sojourner in the midst of you shall be six cities: these for refuge to flee there all smiting a soul in error.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
As well for the children of Israel as for strangers and sojourners, that he may flee to them, who hath shed blood against his will.

Catholic Public Domain Version
as much for the sons of Israel as for newcomers and sojourners, so that anyone who has shed blood unwillingly may flee to these places.

New American Bible
These six cities will serve as places of asylum for the Israelites, and for the resident or transient aliens among them, so that anyone who has killed a person inadvertently may flee there.

New Revised Standard Version
These six cities shall serve as refuge for the Israelites, for the resident or transient alien among them, so that anyone who kills a person without intent may flee there.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
These six cities shall be for refuge, both for the children of Israel and for the proselytes and for the sojourner among them; that every one who kills any person unawares may flee there.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For the children of Israel, and those who are converted to me and those who dwell among you and these six cities shall be a place of refuge for you, so that anyone who kills a soul by accident may escape to them.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
For the children of Israel, and for the stranger and for the settler among them, shall these six cities be for refuge, that every one that killeth any person through error may flee thither.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
It shall be a place of refuge for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for him that sojourns among you; these cities shall be for a place of refuge, for every one to flee thither who has killed a man unintentionally.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Six Cities of Refuge
…14Select three cities across the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan as cities of refuge. 15These six cities will serve as a refuge for the Israelites and for the foreigner or stranger among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there. 16If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Joshua 20:1-9
Then the LORD said to Joshua, / “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. ...

Deuteronomy 19:1-13
When the LORD your God has cut off the nations whose land He is giving you, and when you have driven them out and settled in their cities and houses, / 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. ...

Exodus 21:12-14
Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. / 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. / But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death.

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.

Acts 17:30-31
Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. / 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.”

Leviticus 24:17-22
And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death. / Whoever kills an animal must make restitution—life for life. / If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: ...

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.” ...

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 3:23-26
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, / and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. / God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. ...

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.

Isaiah 25:4
For You have been a refuge for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like rain against a wall,

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:11
Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.

Ezekiel 18:20
The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him.

Treasury of Scripture

These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that kills any person unawares may flee thither.

Numbers 15:16
One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.

Exodus 12:49
One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

Leviticus 24:22
Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.

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Accidentally Alien Aliens Causing Children Cities Country Death Error Intent Israel Israelites Killed Killeth Kills Living Places Refuge Safe Settler Six Sojourner Stranger Thither Towns Unawares Unintentionally Unwittingly

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Numbers 35

1. Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof
6. Six of them are to be cities of refuge
9. The laws of murder and manslaughter
31. No satisfaction for murder

Berean Study Bible

These six cities
The concept of "six cities" refers to the cities of refuge established by God for the Israelites. In the Hebrew context, the number six often symbolizes imperfection or incompleteness, yet here it represents a complete provision for justice and mercy. These cities were strategically located throughout the land to ensure accessibility, reflecting God's desire for justice to be within reach for all His people.

will serve as a refuge
The term "refuge" in Hebrew is "מִקְלָט" (miqlat), meaning a place of safety or asylum. This reflects God's merciful provision for those who have committed unintentional manslaughter. The cities of refuge symbolize God's grace and protection, offering a sanctuary where justice and mercy meet. This concept foreshadows the ultimate refuge found in Christ, who provides spiritual safety for believers.

for the Israelites
The Israelites, God's chosen people, were given these cities as part of their covenant relationship with Him. This provision underscores God's commitment to justice and His desire to maintain order within the community. It also highlights the importance of communal responsibility and the value of human life within the Israelite society.

as well as for the foreigner or temporary resident among them
This phrase emphasizes the inclusivity of God's justice. The Hebrew words "גֵּר" (ger) for foreigner and "תוֹשָׁב" (toshav) for temporary resident indicate that God's laws and provisions were not limited to ethnic Israelites but extended to all who lived among them. This inclusivity reflects God's universal concern for justice and His desire for all people to experience His mercy.

so that anyone who kills another accidentally
The phrase "kills another accidentally" refers to unintentional manslaughter, distinguishing it from premeditated murder. The Hebrew word "שָׁגָגָה" (shagagah) implies an act done in error or without intent. This distinction is crucial in understanding God's justice system, which differentiates between intentional sin and unintentional acts, offering mercy to those who err without malice.

may flee there
The act of fleeing to a city of refuge was a means of seeking protection and justice. The Hebrew verb "נוּס" (nus) means to flee or escape, indicating urgency and the need for immediate protection. This provision allowed the accused to escape the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted, ensuring that justice was served without undue haste or vengeance.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15) For the stranger, and for the sojourner . . . --The word ger, "stranger," properly denotes a foreigner who took up a temporary abode amongst the Israelites; whereas toshab, "sojourner," denotes one who was settled in Israel. Sometimes, however, the words ger and toshab appear to be used as a compound term, as in Leviticus 25:47, where they occur with the conjunctive (or disjunctive) particle in the former part of the verse, and without it in the latter. "The cities of refuge," says Dr. Gill, "were of God's appointing: so Christ, as a Saviour and rock of refuge to His people, is appointed and foreordained of God; they were well known for refuges, as the Lord is in the palaces of Zion; they were open for all at all times, as Christ is for all sinners, even the chief of sinners--Jews or Gentiles; they are all one in Christ--the Israelites, and the stranger and sojourner; all impediments were removed out of the way of them, and plain directions given, as are in the Gospel, and by the ministers of it; and there is always room in Christ for such that flee to Him, as there was in those cities; and being in Him, they are safe from the curse and condemnation of the law, from wrath to come, and from the second death; and their redemption and atonement, peace and reconciliation, liberty, life and salvation, are owing to the death of Christ, their High Priest." (Comp. Numbers 15:29.)

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

These
הָאֵ֖לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

six
שֵׁשׁ־ (šêš-)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)

cities
הֶעָרִ֥ים (he·‘ā·rîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5892: Excitement

will serve
תִּהְיֶ֛ינָה (tih·ye·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

as a refuge
לְמִקְלָ֑ט (lə·miq·lāṭ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4733: Refuge, asylum

for the Israelites
לִבְנֵ֣י (liḇ·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

and for the foreigner
וְלַגֵּ֤ר (wə·lag·gêr)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1616: A guest, a foreigner

or sojourner
וְלַתּוֹשָׁב֙ (wə·lat·tō·wō·šāḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8453: Resident alien

among them,
בְּתוֹכָ֔ם (bə·ṯō·w·ḵām)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

so that anyone
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

who kills
מַכֵּה־ (mak·kêh-)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5221: To strike

a person
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
לָנ֣וּס (lā·nūs)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

there.
שָׁ֔מָּה (šām·māh)
Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

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OT Law: Numbers 35:15 For the children of Israel and (Nu Num.)