Bible Commentaries
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Numbers 35
children = sons.
that they give. Jehovah gives to the Nation; the Nation gives to the Levites.
to them. A special various reading called Sevir (App-34) reads "to you", with which agree some codices, Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and one early printed edition.
forty and eight cities. Compare Joshua 21:11. So was Genesis 49:5, Genesis 49:7 fulfilled, that Levi should be "divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel". At first a curse, but changed to a blessing on account of Exodus 32:26, Exodus 32:29.
according to his inheritance. Nine from Judah and Simeon; four from Benjamin; four from Ephraim; four from Dan; two from the half of Manasseh; two from the other half; four from Issachar; four from Asher; three from Naphtali; four from Zebulon; four from Reuben; four from Gad. Compare Joshua 21:9, Joshua 21:16, &c.
avenger. Hebrew. Goel, to redeem, to ransom. First occurrence is Genesis 48:16; next, Exodus 6:6; Exodus 15:13. Goel, when used in this connection, means to avenge bloodshed, as here; both were the duties of the next of kin, the kinsman. Our Goel not only redeems us from all evil, but avenges us of all our enemies. Romans 8:31-34.
three cities = Bezer, Ramoth, Golan (Deuteronomy 4:41-43).
and three = Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron (Joshua 20:7). These were placed in due order, east and west, in two ranks: Hebron over against Bezer. Shechem over against Ramoth. Kedesh over against Golan. If the Lord enlarged their land, they were to add three more (Deuteronomy 19:8, Deuteronomy 19:9).
of hatred., Deuteronomy 19:11, Deuteronomy 19:12.
laying of wait = fixing the eyes upon. Hebrew. zediyyah. Occurs only here and Numbers 35:22.
statute of judgment = a regulative ordinance. Compare Numbers 27:11.
dwellings = dwelling-places.
person = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.
mouth. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the evidence given by it.
no satisfaction = no ransom. Compare Psalms 49:7. Only God can redeem (Numbers 35:15).
life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.
which is guilty of death = if he has unlawfully caused death: "guilty" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6, for the crime which has caused it. Hebrew "wicked, to die".
priest: i.e. the high priest. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, and Syriac, read it so, as in Numbers 35:28.
wherein ye are. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "wherein ye are dwelling".
blood: i.e. blood unlawfully shed.
him that shed it. Compare Genesis 9:6.
Defile not = Defile thou not. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "Defile ye not".
wherein = in the midst of which.
among = in the midst of.
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