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Numbers 35:11

Mercy and compassionJustice

9 Then the LORD said to Moses,

10 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,

designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there.

12 You 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.

13 The cities you select will be your six cities of refuge.

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there.
KJV
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.
WEB
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.
ASV
then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly may flee thither.
DARBY
then ye shall appoint for yourselves cities: cities of refuge shall they be for you; that a manslayer may flee thither, who without intent smiteth a person mortally.
BLB
you⁺ shall appoint for yourselves cities—cities of refuge to be for you⁺, that may flee there the manslayer who kills a person in error.
ÅB
da skal dere velge ut noen byer som skal være tilfluktsstæder for dere, for at en manndraper som av vanvare slår noen ihjel, kan flykte dit.
OTB
velg byer som skal tjene som tilfluktsbyer, hvor noen som har drept en annen utilsiktet kan flykte.
B1930
da skal I velge ut nogen byer som skal være tilfluktsstæder for eder, forat en manndraper som av vanvare slår nogen ihjel, kan fly dit.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 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.

    Read in context

  • Joshua 20:2

    “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,

    Read in context

  • Numbers 35:6

    Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities.

    Read in context

  • 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,

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 4:42

    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:

    Read in context

  • Numbers 35:22–25

    But if anyone pushes a person suddenly, without hostility, or throws an object at him unintentionally,

    Read in context