Numbers 35:11

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

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.

American King James Version (AKJV)

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.

American Standard Version (ASV)

then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly may flee thither.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

Then let certain towns be marked out as safe places to which anyone who takes the life of another in error may go in flight.

Webster's Revision

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.

World English Bible

then you shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person unwittingly may flee there.

English Revised Version (ERV)

then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the manslayer which killeth any person unwittingly may flee thither.

Clarke's Numbers 35:11 Bible Commentary

Ye shall appoint - cities of refuge - The cities of refuge among the Israelites were widely different from the asyla among the Greeks and Romans, as also from the privileged altars among the Roman Catholics. Those among the Hebrews were for the protection of such only as had slain a person involuntarily. The temples and altars among the latter often served for the protection of the most profligate characters. Cities of refuge among the Hebrews were necessary, because the old patriarchal law still remained in force, viz., that the nearest akin had a right to avenge the death of his relation by slaying the murderer; for the original law enacted that whosoever shed man's blood, by man should his blood be shed, Genesis 9:6, and none was judged so proper to execute this law as the man who was nearest akin to the deceased. As many rash executions of this law might take place, from the very nature of the thing, it was deemed necessary to qualify its claims, and prevent injustice; and the cities of refuge were judged proper for this purpose. Nor do we ever read that they were ever found inefficient, or that they were ever abused.

Wesley's Numbers 35:11 Bible Commentary

35:11 Unawares - Not wilfully, designedly or maliciously, but through mistake or indiscretion.