CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 35:11 designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/35-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/04_Num_35_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 35:11 - Six Cities of Refuge" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/35-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/35-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/35.htm">Chapter 35</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/35-10.htm" title="Numbers 35:10">◄</a> Numbers 35:11 <a href="/numbers/35-12.htm" title="Numbers 35:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/35.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/35.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/35.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />designate cities of refuge to which people can flee if they have killed someone accidentally.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/35.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/35.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/35.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/35.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/35.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />then you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, so that the one who commits manslaughter <i>by</i> killing a person unintentionally may flee there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/35.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/35.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/35.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />then you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, that the manslayer who has struck down any person unintentionally may flee there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/35.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />then you shall select for yourselves cities to be cities of refuge, so that the one who kills any person unintentionally may escape there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/35.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />designate cities to serve as cities of refuge for you, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/35.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />designate cities to serve as cities of refuge for you, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/35.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly may flee thither.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/35.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />choose Safe Towns, where a person who has accidentally killed someone can run for protection. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/35.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the manslayer which killeth any person unwittingly may flee thither.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/35.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />select certain cities to be places of refuge. Anyone who unintentionally kills another person may run to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/35.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />you are to choose cities of refuge to which any of you can escape if you kill someone accidentally. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/35.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />they are to designate some towns of refuge so that anyone who kills someone inadvertently may flee there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/35.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/35.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />you must then designate some towns as towns of refuge for you, to which a person who has killed someone unintentionally may flee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/35.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />then you shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person unwittingly may flee there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/35.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then ye shall appoint for you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, who killeth any person at unawares.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/35.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/35.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and have prepared cities for yourselves—they are cities of refuge to you—then a manslayer, striking a person through ignorance, has fled there,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/35.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and have prepared to yourselves cities -- cities of refuge they are to you -- then fled thither hath a man-slayer, smiting a person unawares,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/35.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And build ye to you cities; cities of refuge shall they be to you; and the slayer to flee there smiting a soul in error.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/35.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Determine what cities shall be for the refuge of fugitives, who have shed blood against their will. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/35.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />discern which cities ought to be for the protection of fugitives who have shed blood unwillingly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/35.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />select for yourselves cities to serve as cities of asylum, where a homicide who has killed someone inadvertently may flee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/35.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, so that a slayer who kills a person without intent may flee there.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/35.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then you shall select for yourselves cities to he cities of refuge for you; that the person who kills someone unawares may flee there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/35.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Prepare for yourselves cities to be a place of refuge for you that a killer, whoever may kill a soul by accident, may escape there.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/35.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer that killeth any person through error may flee thither.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/35.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And ye shall appoint to yourselves cities: they shall be to you cities of refuge for the slayer to flee to, every one who has killed another unintentionally.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/35-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=10800" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/35.htm">Six Cities of Refuge</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7136.htm" title="7136: wə·hiq·rî·ṯem (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-2mp) -- A primitive root; to light upon; causatively, to bring about; specifically, to impose timbers.">designate</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘ā·rîm (N-fp) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">cities</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: tih·ye·nāh (V-Qal-Imperf-3fp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">to serve as</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">your</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘ā·rê (N-fpc) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">cities</a> <a href="/hebrew/4733.htm" title="4733: miq·lāṭ (N-ms) -- Refuge, asylum. From qalat in the sense of taking in; an asylum.">of refuge,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7523.htm" title="7523: rō·ṣê·aḥ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To murder, slay. A primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. Kill, especially to murder.">so that a person</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: mak·kêh- (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-msc) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">who kills</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: ne·p̄eš (N-fs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">someone</a> <a href="/hebrew/7684.htm" title="7684: biš·ḡā·ḡāh (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- Sin of error or inadvertance. From shagag; a mistake or inadvertent transgression.">unintentionally</a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: wə·nās (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">may flee</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām·māh (Adv:: 3fs) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">there.</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/20-2.htm">Joshua 20:2-9</a></span><br />“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, / so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. / When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-2.htm">Deuteronomy 19:2-10</a></span><br />then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess. / You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities. / Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/21-13.htm">Exodus 21:13</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/6-18.htm">Hebrews 6:18</a></span><br />Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/21-13.htm">Joshua 21:13-38</a></span><br />So to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave these cities, together with their pasturelands: Hebron, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Libnah, / Jattir, Eshtemoa, / Holon, Debir, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-41.htm">Deuteronomy 4:41-43</a></span><br />Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east / 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: / Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau belonging to the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the Gadites, or Golan in Bashan belonging to the Manassites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-31.htm">Acts 17:31</a></span><br />For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/46-1.htm">Psalm 46:1</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-28.htm">1 Kings 2:28-34</a></span><br />When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-57.htm">1 Chronicles 6:57-81</a></span><br />So the descendants of Aaron were given Hebron (a city of refuge), Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, / Hilen, Debir, / Ashan, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh, together with their pasturelands. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a></span><br />Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/4-6.htm">Isaiah 4:6</a></span><br />a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and the rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/11-16.htm">Ezekiel 11:16</a></span><br />Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries to which they have gone.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/12-6.htm">Revelation 12:6</a></span><br />And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place for her to be nourished for 1,260 days.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then you shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which kills any person at unawares.</p><p class="hdg">ye shall appoint.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Numbers 35:6</a></b></br> And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites <i>there shall be</i> six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/20-2.htm">Joshua 20:2</a></b></br> Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:</p><p class="hdg">unawares.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/35-22.htm">Numbers 35:22,23</a></b></br> But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/21-13.htm">Exodus 21:13</a></b></br> And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver <i>him</i> into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-42.htm">Deuteronomy 4:42</a></b></br> That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_peter/4-12.htm">Accidentally</a> <a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/numbers/35-8.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/numbers/15-29.htm">Error</a> <a href="/exodus/32-12.htm">Intent</a> <a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-21.htm">Killeth</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-21.htm">Kills</a> <a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Manslayer</a> <a href="/numbers/34-10.htm">Marked</a> <a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Places</a> <a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Refuge</a> <a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/exodus/18-21.htm">Select</a> <a href="/hosea/9-13.htm">Slayer</a> <a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Thither</a> <a href="/numbers/35-8.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/genesis/34-25.htm">Unawares</a> <a href="/numbers/15-29.htm">Unintentionally</a> <a href="/numbers/15-29.htm">Unwittingly</a> <a href="/numbers/34-13.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/35-15.htm">Accidentally</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-13.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/numbers/35-12.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/numbers/35-15.htm">Error</a> <a href="/numbers/35-15.htm">Intent</a> <a href="/numbers/35-15.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/numbers/35-15.htm">Killeth</a> <a href="/numbers/35-15.htm">Kills</a> <a href="/numbers/35-12.htm">Manslayer</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-41.htm">Marked</a> <a href="/numbers/35-12.htm">Places</a> <a href="/numbers/35-12.htm">Refuge</a> <a href="/numbers/35-12.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/joshua/18-4.htm">Select</a> <a href="/numbers/35-24.htm">Slayer</a> <a href="/numbers/35-16.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/numbers/35-15.htm">Thither</a> <a href="/numbers/35-12.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/numbers/35-15.htm">Unawares</a> <a href="/numbers/35-15.htm">Unintentionally</a> <a href="/numbers/35-15.htm">Unwittingly</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-13.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 35</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-1.htm">Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Six of them are to be cities of refuge</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-9.htm">The laws of murder and manslaughter</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-31.htm">No satisfaction for murder</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/35.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/35.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge</b><br>The concept of cities of refuge is introduced here as part of the Mosaic Law, providing a place of asylum for those who have committed manslaughter. These cities were strategically located throughout the land of Israel to ensure accessibility. The establishment of these cities reflects God's justice and mercy, offering protection while awaiting a fair trial. The cities of refuge are a type of Christ, who provides refuge and salvation for sinners. In <a href="/joshua/20.htm">Joshua 20</a>, the specific cities are named: Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan.<p><b>so that a person who kills someone unintentionally</b><br>This phrase highlights the distinction between intentional murder and accidental killing, which is crucial in biblical law. The Hebrew term for "unintentionally" implies a lack of premeditation or malice. The law recognizes human fallibility and provides a means of protection for those who have caused death without intent. This reflects the biblical principle of justice tempered with mercy, as seen in <a href="/exodus/21-13.htm">Exodus 21:13</a>, where God provides a place for the unintentional killer to flee.<p><b>may flee there</b><br>The provision for fleeing to a city of refuge underscores the urgency and necessity of seeking protection. The act of fleeing symbolizes repentance and the desire for reconciliation. In a broader theological context, this mirrors the sinner's flight to Christ for refuge from the consequences of sin. The cities of refuge serve as a precursor to the New Testament teaching of Christ as our ultimate refuge, as seen in <a href="/hebrews/6-18.htm">Hebrews 6:18</a>, where believers are encouraged to "flee for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us."<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/c/cities_of_refuge.htm">Cities of Refuge</a></b><br>Designated places where individuals who committed unintentional manslaughter could seek asylum to avoid revenge from the victim's family until a fair trial could be conducted.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/manslayer.htm">Manslayer</a></b><br>A person who has killed another unintentionally, without premeditation or malice aforethought.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God to whom these laws were given, emphasizing justice and mercy within their community.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/l/levitical_cities.htm">Levitical Cities</a></b><br>The cities of refuge were among the 48 cities given to the Levites, the priestly tribe of Israel, indicating a connection between justice and spiritual oversight.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/avenger_of_blood.htm">Avenger of Blood</a></b><br>A family member of the deceased who had the cultural duty to avenge the death, highlighting the need for a legal system to prevent cycles of violence.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_mercy.htm">Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>The cities of refuge illustrate God's balance of justice and mercy, providing protection for those who have sinned unintentionally while ensuring a fair trial.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctity_of_life.htm">The Sanctity of Life</a></b><br>This law underscores the value God places on human life, requiring careful consideration and due process before taking action against someone who has caused a death.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_refuge.htm">Spiritual Refuge</a></b><br>Just as the cities provided physical safety, believers today find spiritual refuge in Christ, who offers protection and forgiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The establishment of these cities highlights the community's role in upholding justice and protecting the vulnerable, a principle that applies to the church today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/forgiveness_and_reconciliation.htm">Forgiveness and Reconciliation</a></b><br>The provision for unintentional manslaughter encourages forgiveness and reconciliation, rather than revenge, within the community.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_35.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 35</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_need_refuge_cities_if_god_stops_injustice.htm">Why would a just God need these specific cities of refuge in Joshua 20 if He could prevent unjust killings in the first place?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_evidence_for_refuge_cities.htm">Why is there no conclusive archaeological evidence for the six cities of refuge (Numbers 35:9-15) if they were central to Israelite legal practice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_the_avenger_system_fair_in_ancient_times.htm">How plausible is it that the avenger of blood system (Numbers 35:19) was enforced fairly in the context of ancient Near Eastern tribal justice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/purpose_of_biblical_cities_of_refuge.htm">What were the biblical Cities of Refuge for?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/35.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you.</span> God had already announced that he would appoint a place whither one guilty of unpremeditated manslaughter might flee for safety (<a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Exodus 21:18</a>). The expression there used does not point to more than one "place," but it is not inconsistent with several. Probably the right of sanctuary has been recognized from the earliest times in which any local appropriation of places to sacred purposes has been made. It is an instinct of religion to look upon one who has escaped into a sacred enclosure as being under the personal protection of the presiding deity. It is certain that the right was largely recognized in Egypt, where the priestly caste was so powerful and ambitious; and this is no doubt the reason (humanly speaking) for the promise in <a href="/exodus/21-13.htm">Exodus 21:13</a>, and for the command in the following verse. Inasmuch as the whole of Canaan was the Lord's, any places within it might he endowed with rights of sanctuary, but it was obviously suitable that they should be Levitical cities; the Divine prerogative of mercy could nowhere be better exercised, nor would any citizens be better qualified to pronounce and to uphold the rightful decision in each case. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/35-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">designate</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִקְרִיתֶ֤ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hiq·rî·ṯem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7136.htm">Strong's 7136: </a> </span><span class="str2">To light upon, to bring about, to impose timbers</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cities</span><br /><span class="heb">עָרִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to serve as</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּהְיֶ֣ינָה</span> <span class="translit">(tih·ye·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="heb">לָכֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">cities</span><br /><span class="heb">עָרֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of refuge,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִקְלָ֖ט</span> <span class="translit">(miq·lāṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4733.htm">Strong's 4733: </a> </span><span class="str2">Refuge, asylum</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so that a person</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹצֵ֔חַ</span> <span class="translit">(rō·ṣê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7523.htm">Strong's 7523: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dash in pieces, kill, to murder</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who kills</span><br /><span class="heb">מַכֵּה־</span> <span class="translit">(mak·kêh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">someone</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶ֖פֶשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ne·p̄eš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">unintentionally</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּשְׁגָגָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(biš·ḡā·ḡāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7684.htm">Strong's 7684: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mistake, inadvertent transgression</span><br /><br /><span class="word">may flee</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָ֥ס</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nās)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flit, vanish away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there.</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֙מָּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(šām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/35-11.htm">Numbers 35:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/35-11.htm">Numbers 35:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/35-11.htm">Numbers 35:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/35-11.htm">Numbers 35:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/35-11.htm">Numbers 35:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/35-11.htm">Numbers 35:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/35-11.htm">Numbers 35:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/35-11.htm">Numbers 35:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/35-11.htm">Numbers 35:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/35-11.htm">Numbers 35:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/35-11.htm">OT Law: Numbers 35:11 Then you shall appoint you cities (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/35-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 35:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 35:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/35-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 35:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 35:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>