Chapter 35:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
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Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Leviticus Deuteronomy
Numbers 35
Forty eight cities assigned to the Levites, of which six
were cities of refuge, ver. 1-15. In what cases it was not allowed
to flee to these, ver. 16-21. In what cases it was allowed, ver. 22-24. Laws concerning them, ver. 25-34.
Verse 3. For the cattle - For pasturage for their cattle: where they might
not build houses, nor plant gardens, orchards or vineyards, no nor
sow corn, for which they were abundantly provided out of the
first-fruits. And these suburbs did not belong to the Levites in
common, but were distributed to them in convenient proportions.
Verse 4. A thousand cubits - In the next verse it is two thousand. But
this verse and the next do not speak to the same thing; this speaks
of the space from whence the suburbs shall be measured, the next
speaks of the space unto which that measure shall be extended;
and the words may very well be read thus. And the suburbs - Shall
be from the wall of the city and from without it, or, from the
outward parts of it, even from a thousand cubits round about.
Which are mentioned not as the thing measured, but as the space
from which the measuring line should begin. And then it follows,
ver. 5. And ye shall measure from without the city, (not from the
wall of the city, as said before ver. 4, but from without it, that is,
from the said outward space of a thousand cubits without the wall
of the city round about) on the east side two thousand cubits. So
in truth there were three thousand cubits from the wall of the city,
whereof one thousand probably were for out-houses, stalls for
cattle, gardens, vineyards and olive-yards, and the other two
thousand for pasture, which are therefore called the field of the
suburbs, Lev. xxv, 34, by way of distinction from the suburbs
themselves, which consist of the first thousand cubits from the
wall of the city.
Verse 6. Cities for refuge - Or, of escape for manslayers: And these
cities are assigned among the Levites, partly because they might
be presumed to be the most proper and impartial Judges between
man-slayers, and wilful murderers; partly because their presence
and authority would more effectually bridle the passions of the
avenger of blood who might pursue him thither; and perhaps to
signify, that it is only in Christ (whom the Levitical priests
represented) that sinners find refuge and safety from the
destroyer.
Verse 11. Unawares - Not wilfully, designedly or maliciously, but
through mistake or indiscretion.
Verse 12. From the avenger - Hebrew. from the redeemer, or, from the
next kinsman, to whom by the law belonged the right of
redemption of the lands of; and vindication of the injury done to,
the person deceased. Die not - Be not killed by the avenger
meeting him in some other place. Before the congregation -
Before the Judges or elders who were appointed in every city for
the decision of criminal causes, who were to examine, and that
publickly before the people, whether the murder was wilful or
casual.
Verse 14. On this side Jordan - Because that land was as long as Canaan,
though not so broad, and besides these might be convenient for
many of them that lived in Canaan.
Verse 16. If he smite him - Wittingly and wilfully, though not with
premeditated malice. He shall be put to death - Yea though he
were fled into the city of refuge.
Verse 19. He shall slay him - Either by himself, as the following words
shew; so it is a permission, that he may do it without offense to
God or danger to himself: or by the magistrate, from whom he
shall demand justice: so it is a command.
Verse 24. Then - If the man-slayer flee to to the city of refuge.
Verse 26. He shall abide in it - Be confined to it, partly to shew the
hatefulness of murder in God's account by so severe a
punishment, inflicted upon the very appearance of it, and partly
for the security of the man-slayer, lest the presence of such a
person, and his conversation among the kindred of the deceased,
might occasion reproach and blood-shed. The death of the high-
priest - Perhaps to shew that the death of Christ (the true High-
priest, whom the others represented) is the only means whereby
sins are pardoned and sinners set at liberty.
Verse 27. Not guilty - Not liable to punishment from men, though not
free of guilt before God. This God ordained to oblige the man-
slayer to abide in his city of refuge.
Chapter 35:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Leviticus Deuteronomy
This version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible is a derivative of an electronic version, Copyright 1997, by Sulu D. Kelley. All rights reserved. Used by permission. It may not be modified or used commercially without permission of Wesleyan Heritage Publishing and Sulu Kelley. A special thanks to Mr. Kelley and Wesleyan Heritage Publishing for permission to create and post this version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible.
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