Números 35
Matthew Henry · Citado em PreceptAustin
Números 35
Henry - Verses 1-8. The cities of the priests and Levites were not only to accommodate them, but to place them, as religious teachers, in several parts of the land. For though the typical service of the tabernacle or temple was only in one place, the preaching of the word of God, and prayer and praise, were not thus confined. These cities were to be given out of each tribe. Each thus made a grateful acknowledgement to God. Each tribe had the benefit of the Levites dwelling amongst them, to teach them the knowledge of the Lord; thus no parts of the country were left to sit in darkness. The gospel provides that he who is taught in the word, should communicate to him that teaches, in all good things, Galatians 6:6. We are to free God's ministers from distracting cares, and to leave them at leisure for the duties of their station; so that they may be wholly employed therein, and avail themselves of every opportunity, by acts of kindness, to gain the good-will of the people, and to draw their attention. Numbers 35:2 "Command the sons of Israel that they give to the Levites from the inheritance of their possession cities to live in; and you shall give to the Levites pasture lands around the cities. Lev 25:32,33 Jos 14:3,4 Joshua 21:2-42 Eze 45:1-8 48:8,22 1Co 9:10-14 Numbers 35 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages (no land inheritance for the Levites) Numbers 18:24+ “For the tithe of the sons of Israel, which they offer as an offering to the LORD, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance; therefore I have said concerning them, ‘They shall have no inheritance among the sons of Israel.’” Deuteronomy 10:9 Therefore, Levi does not have a portion or inheritance with his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, just as the LORD your God spoke to him. Numbers 18:20+ Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel (See note below). Deuteronomy 12:12 “And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you. Deuteronomy 14:27 “Also you shall not neglect the Levite who is in your town, for he has no portion or inheritance among you. Joshua 14:3-4 For Moses had given the inheritance of the two tribes and the half-tribe beyond the Jordan; but he did not give an inheritance to the Levites among them. 4 For the sons of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, and they did not give a portion to the Levites in the land, except cities to live in, with their pasture lands for their livestock and for their property. Levitical Cities (Green Dot) and Cities of Refuge (Red Square) - click to enlarge From Holman Bible Atlas (available for purchase in digital or Hardcover) © 1998 B&H Publishing Group used by permission. Please do not reproduce. GOD'S GRACIOUS PROVISIONS FOR HIS SERVANTS THE LEVITES Command the sons of Israel that they give to the Levites from the inheritance of their possession cities to live in - This was a privilege for the tribes to be able to give to the Levites, who ministered for them to Yahweh. Do we see our giving to God as a privilege or a duty ("I gotta give my tithe!") ?As shown in the Related Passages above, the Levites had no land inheritance, but had the best inheritance, Yahweh stating that He was their inheritance! In this passage, God does allot them cities for they had to have a place to live! Joshua 21:1-45 records the execution of this command after the conquest of Canaan has taken place. From the map above it is clear that the cities of the Levites are spread north to south and east to west (although the specific location of some of the cities is not known today). Warren
Números 35
Henry - Verses 9-34. To show plainly the abhorrence of murder, and to provide the more effectually for the punishment of the murderer, the nearest relation of the deceased, under the title of avenger of blood, (or the redeemer of blood,) in notorious cases, might pursue, and execute vengeance. A distinction is made, not between sudden anger and malice aforethought, both which are the crime of murder; but between intentionally striking a man with any weapon likely to cause death, and an unintentional blow. In the latter case alone, the city of refuge afforded protection. Murder in all its forms, and under all disguises, pollutes a land. Alas! that so many murders, under the name of duels, prize-fights, etc. should pass unpunished. There were six cities of refuge; one or other might be reached in less than a day's journey from any part of the land. To these, man-slayers might flee for refuge, and be safe, till they had a fair trial. If acquitted from the charge, they were protected from the avenger of blood; yet they must continue within the bounds of the city till the death of the high priest. Thus we are reminded that the death of the great High Priest is the only means whereby sins are pardoned, and sinners set at liberty. These cities are plainly alluded to, both in the Old and New Testament, we cannot doubt the typical character of their appointment. Turn ye to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope, saith the voice of mercy, Zechariah 9:12, alluding to the city of refuge. The writer of Hebrews describes the strong consolation of fleeing for refuge to the hope set before us, in a passage always applied to the gracious appointment of the cities of refuge, Hebrews 6:18. The rich mercies of salvation, through Christ, prefigured by these cities, demand our regard. Did the ancient city rear its towers of safety on high? See Christ raised up on the cross; and is he not exalted at the right hand of his Father, to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and remission of sins? Does not the highway of salvation, resemble the smooth and plain path to the city of refuge? Survey the path that leads to the Redeemer. Is there any stumbling-block to be found therein, except that which an evil heart of unbelief supplies for its own fall? Waymarks were set up pointing to the city. And is it not the office of the ministers of the gospel to direct sinners to Him? The gate of the city stood open night and day. Has not Christ declared, Him that cometh unto me I will in nowise cast out? The city of refuge afforded support to every one who entered its walls. Those who have reached the refuge, may live by faith on Him whose flesh is meat indeed, and whose blood is drink indeed. The city was a refuge for all. In the gospel there is no respect of persons. That soul lives not which deserves not Divine wrath; that soul lives not which may not in simple faith hope for salvation and life eternal, through the Son of God. Numbers 35:10 "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, Nu 34:2 Lev 14:34 25:2 De 12:9 19:1,2 Numbers 35 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries "WHEN" NOT "IF" YOU CROSS! Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan - Not IF you cross, but WHEN you cross, just as in Nu 33:51+ "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘WHEN you cross over the Jordan...." And again in Numbers 34:2+ "Command the sons of Israel and say to them, "WHEN you enter the land of Canaan...." They will cross because Jehovah says they will cross. We will cross over from death in this body, to life eternal because God says it and that settles it! When you cross is used 7x in the OT and all are related to Israel crossing over the Jordan into the Promised Land. Note especially the repetition in some of Moses' last words in Deuteronomy, which is just before Israel actually does cross over. Last words are always important words! See Num. 33:51; Num. 35:10; Deut. 12:10; Deut. 27:2; Deut. 27:3; Deut. 27:4; Deut. 27:12 Numbers 35:11 then you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, that the manslayer who has killed any person unintentionally may flee there. you shall select for yourselves . Nu 35:6 Jos 20:2 unintentionally Nu 35:22,23 Ex 21:13 Dt 4:42 Dt 19:4-5 Charles Feinberg - Cities of Refuge - Part 1; Cities of Refuge - Part 2 - journal articles Numbers 35 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Dt 4:41-42+ Then Moses set apart three cities across the Jordan to the east, that a manslayer might flee there, who unintentionally slew his neighbor without having enmity toward him in time past; and by fleeing to one of these cities he might live: Deuteronomy 19:4-5+ “Now this is the case of the manslayer who may flee there and live: when he kills his friend unintentionally, not hating him previously– 5 as when a man goes into the forest with his friend to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down the tree, and the iron head slips off the handle and strikes his friend so that he dies–he may flee to one of these cities and live; Then - THEN answers to WHEN of the previous passage and marks a progression or sequence. You shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, that the manslayer who has killed any person unintentionally may flee there - The cities of refuge were situated three on the eastern (Dt 4:41) and three on the western side of Jordan (Josh 20:7). The importance of the cities of refuge is that the blood avenger (goel or kinsman) had the right to avenge the death of his kin by slaying the one who caused the death wherever he found him. Thus the appointment of these cities of asylum was a divinely ordained humane institution for the protection of involuntary homicide, similar to what we commonly call manslaughter today. Manslayer (murder)(07523) ratsach means to murder or slay, all 47 uses (in 40v) speaking of one human being killing another and never of a person killing an animal. Ratsach is never employed in contexts of war, capital punishment, or self-defense. The taking of a human life is the primary concept behind this word. The first use is in the commandment "Thou shalt not kill." (Ex 20:13) Ratsach refers to premeditated murder (Deut. 5:17; 1 Kgs. 21:19; Jer. 7:9), accidental killing (Nu. 35:11; Josh. 20:3), an act of revenge (Nu 35:27) and death from animal attack (Pr. 22:13). "Provocatively, Hosea refers to the lewdness of the priests that led people astray as being equal to murder (Hos. 6:9)." (Baker) Ratsach is a key word in Numbers 35 occurring 14x - Num. 35:6; Num. 35:11; Num. 35:12; Num. 35:16; Num. 35:17; Num. 35:18; Num. 35:19; Num. 35:21; Num. 35:25; Num. 35:26; Num. 35:27; Num. 35:28; Num. 35:30; Num. 35:31; Unintentionally (07684)(shegagah from shagag = to go astray, commit sin or error) a mistake, unintentional wrong, accidental error, accidental an inadvertent transgression, error, ignorance. The primary meaning is an inadvertent error performed in the daily routine of life that ranged from a slip of the tongue (Eccl. 5:6); to accidental manslaughter (Nu 35:11, 15; Josh. 20:3, 9) Gilbrant - The error/sin which is described could have occurred in Israel's worship, for the instructions about the sacrifices were to be followed carefully. Failure to do so, if unintentional, could be atoned for by the priest. A proper attitude when presenting an offering by fire and a sin offering atoned for this kind of error (Num. 15:25). If something holy was inadvertently eaten, the offending person had to restore the lost offering and add a penalty of one-fifth (Lev. 22:14). Breaking a law or committing a general offense had to be dealt with (cf. Num. 35:11; Josh. 20:3). This term was among words used to describe errors by rulers (Ecc. 10:5).(Complete Biblical Library Hebrew-English Dictionary) Shegagah - 19x in 18v - error(5), mistake(1), unintentionally(14). - Lev. 4:2; Lev. 4:22; Lev. 4:27; Lev. 5:15; Lev. 5:18; Lev. 22:14; Num. 15:24; Num. 15:25; Num. 15:26; Num. 15:27; Num. 15:28; Num. 15:29; Num. 35:11; Num. 35:15; Jos. 20:3; Jos. 20:9; Eccl. 5:6; Eccl. 10:5