Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryNumbers 35

Numbers 35:1: The Cities of the Levites In this passage, God makes special arrangements for where the Levites will live once Israel enters Canaan. The Levites were already provided for by the tithes and offerings of the people, but now God gives them cities to live in as well. This plan helps the Levites live comfortably and also makes sure they can serve and teach all the tribes of Israel.

v. 2: God commanded that certain cities be given to the Levites, along with surrounding land for their animals (v. 2 ). The Levites were not to own farmland for crops because they were supported by tithes. This allowed them to focus on teaching the law and serving the people, without getting busy with farming.

v. 3-5: Each city was given extra land around it. The Levites had space for their cattle and buildings, first a thousand cubits for out-houses, then two thousand cubits for grazing fields (v. 3-5 ). This made sure the Levites had everything they needed and were respected by their neighbors.

v. 7; Joshua 21:1-45: There were forty-eight cities in total for the Levites. Most tribes gave four cities each, but Judah and Simeon together gave nine, and Naphtali gave three (Joshua 21:1-45 ). This meant the Levites had a good home and the people had good teachers. In the New Testament, believers are taught to support their spiritual teachers as well (Galatians 6:6 ).

v. 8: The cities for the Levites were taken from the land of each tribe (v. 8 ). This way, every tribe shared in supporting the Levites and received the blessing of having Levites among them to teach about God (Deuteronomy 33:10 ). Even though Levi was once cursed to be scattered (see Genesis 49:7 ), God turned it into a blessing, spreading the Levites everywhere so they could help all Israel.

Numbers 35:9: The Cities of Refuge This passage gives God’s instructions about the cities of refuge. These cities were all Levite cities, and they were special places for people who accidentally killed someone to be safe from revenge. The rules about these cities show both justice and mercy. They also have a deeper meaning, pointing to the gospel and the hope found in Jesus Christ.v. 9-15; Heb 6:18; Php 3:9: These cities are a picture of the gospel. Just as people could run to a city of refuge for safety, we can run to Jesus for protection from sin and judgment (Hebrews 6:18; Philippians 3:9 ). There were several cities, so help was always close by, just as Christ is near to all who call on Him. The Levites in these cities could teach and comfort those who came for protection, just as Christian ministers encourage those who seek Christ. The safety in these cities was not from strong walls, but from God’s promise. In the same way, our safety is in Jesus, not in anything we do ourselves. But if a person left the city of refuge, he lost its protection. In the same way, we must stay close to Christ, because leaving Him means losing that safety (Romans 8:1 ).

v. 15, 26-27: The cities of refuge were open to anyone, even foreigners living among Israel (v. 15, 26-27 ). Even the suburbs of the city offered protection. This shows that God offers mercy to all who seek it.

v. 16-21, 30-31, 33: The law says that anyone who kills another person on purpose must be put to death (v. 16-21, 30-31, 33 ). There is no escape or ransom for a murderer. The punishment must fit the crime, and only the death of the murderer can pay for the blood that was shed (Genesis 9:6 ). The land itself is polluted by murder, and it can only be cleansed if justice is done. God’s law also says that a person cannot be put to death with just one witness; there must be at least two (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15 ). The avenger of blood, usually the closest relative, had the right to act, but only if the case was clear.

v. 22-25: If someone killed another person by accident, without anger or planning, they could run to a city of refuge for safety (v. 22-25 ). The person was safe there until a fair trial. If it was truly an accident, he could stay in the city and the avenger of blood could not harm him. But if he left the city before the high priest died, he could be killed by the avenger (v. 26-28 ). This taught everyone to respect life and be careful in all things.

v. 25-28: The person who accidentally killed someone had to stay in the city of refuge until the high priest died. After that, he could return home safely. This rule gave honor to the office of high priest, and also pointed forward to Christ, who frees us from guilt (v. 25-28 ).