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Numbers 35:12

Justice

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

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

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.

14 Select three cities across the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan as 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
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.
KJV
And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
WEB
The cities shall be for your refuge from the avenger, that the man slayer not die until he stands before the congregation for judgment.
ASV
And the cities shall be unto you for refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation for judgment.
DARBY
And ye shall have these cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he have stood before the assembly in judgment.
BLB
And they shall be for you⁺ cities of refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the face of the congregation for judgment.
ÅB
Disse byer skal dere ha til tilfluktsstæder for manndraperen når han flykter for blodhevneren, for at han ikke skal dø før han har stått til doms for menigheten.
OTB
Disse byene skal være en tilflukt fra hevneren, slik at den anklagede ikke dør før han står for retten for forsamlingen.
B1930
Disse byer skal I ha til tilfluktsstæder for manndraperen når han flykter for blodhevneren, forat han ikke skal dø før han har stått til doms for menigheten.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Deuteronomy 19:6

    Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the manslayer in a rage, overtake him if the distance is great, and strike him dead though he did not deserve to die, since he did not intend any harm.

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  • Joshua 20:3–6

    so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

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  • Joshua 20:9

    These are the cities appointed for all the Israelites and foreigners among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly.

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  • 2 Samuel 14:7

    Now the whole clan has risen up against your maidservant and said, ‘Hand over the one who struck down his brother, that we may put him to death for the life of the brother whom he killed. Then we will cut off the heir as well!’ So they would extinguish my one remaining ember by not preserving my husband’s name or posterity on the earth.”

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  • Numbers 35:24–27

    then the congregation must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances.

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  • Numbers 35:19

    The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him.

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  • Deuteronomy 19:11–12

    If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities,

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