Numbers 35:15
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.
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.
16 If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death.
17 Or if anyone has in his hand a stone of deadly size, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death.
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
- 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.
- KJV
- 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.
- WEB
- 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.
- ASV
- 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.
- DARBY
- For the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them shall these six cities be a refuge, that one who smiteth a person mortally without intent may flee thither.
- BLB
- For the sons of Israel and for the sojourner and for the stranger in your midst shall be these six cities for refuge; anyone who kills a soul in error to flee there.
- ÅB
- Både for Israels barn og for de fremmede og innflyttede som bor iblant dem, skal disse seks byer være tilfluktsstæder, så hver den som av vanvare slår noen ihjel, kan flykte dit.
- OTB
- Disse seks byene skal være en tilflukt for israelittene, fremmede og utlendinger som bor blant dere, slik at alle som har drept en annen utilsiktet kan flykte dit.
- B1930
- Både for Israels barn og for de fremmede og innflyttede som bor iblandt dem, skal disse seks byer være tilfluktsstæder, så hver den som av vanvare slår nogen ihjel, kan fly dit.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Numbers 15:16
The same law and the same ordinance will apply both to you and to the foreigner residing with you.”
Read in contextExodus 12:49
The same law shall apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you.”
Read in contextGalatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Read in contextRomans 3:29
Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,
Read in contextLeviticus 24:22
You are to have the same standard of law for the foreign resident and the native; for I am the LORD your God.’”
Read in context