Numbers 35

Numbers 35:2

SUburbs, &c.] They were certain spaces of ground, about the cities, for pastures, orchards, gardens, flocks, countrey houses and other petty countrey commodities, which ought not to be tilled not planted with vines, because the Levites were to have no such lands, nor yet employ themselves in tilling the ground, Numbers 18:20; Numbers 18:24.

Numbers 35:4

A thousand] Drawing foure lines, of a thousand cubits a piece from the foure sides of the wals of the city, and then measuring the length from one end of the lines to the other end opposite against it, which will be two thousand cubits to make a perfect square.

Numbers 35:6

The manslayer] Having done it unawares.

Numbers 35:12

From the avenger] The Italian hath it, From him that hath right to avenge]That is the neeres of kinn, to whom by reason of consanguinity it belongeth〈◊〉 prosecute the manslayer in judgement, who also 〈…〉ing the manslyer in a place by chance, from whence he may not b brought before a Magistrate, may lawfully 〈…〉y him; In judgement] to justifie his innecency 〈◊〉〈◊〉and unwilling mansla, ter The 〈…〉〈◊〉 Magistate or councell of Judges established in every great city to decide capitall matters, which according to some, were three & twenty in number, and according to others, seventeen.

Numbers 35:16

Smite him] Though peradventure without any intent, yet he may not make use of the freedom; because that smiting in that kind, he might and ought to have foreseen the danger of the blow.

Numbers 35:17

Throwing a stone] Throwing it out of his hand, or out of a sling; opposite to stones thrown down unawares, v. 23.

Numbers 35:19

Shall stay] Shall procure by way of justice to let him have his deserved death; He me〈…〉e 〈…〉] whether he be moved by sudaine wa, or that he meet him in a place whence he cannot bring him before a publick judge.

Numbers 35:22

Suddenly] The Italian, Unawares] by some chance, sodainly, it not laying in his power to beware or to prevent it.

Numbers 35:27

Not be guilty] In civill and human justice, for otherwise the ma〈…〉aughter being proved to be casual and unwillingly done, conscience did not permit the next kinsman to take revenge, Deuteronomy 19:10. But this exemption served to impose a necessity upon the unwilling manslayer, to observe the order established by God, for his safety, flying to a place of freedom. The Ilian hath, Fo suffering to fly to the city of his refuge]

Numbers 35:32

For him that is fled] My safeguard ought not to be sold nor exchanged for money: others translate it; You shall not take money (of him that is to fly to the City of refuge) to let him return, &c.

Numbers 35:33

Shall not pollute] Make it not a place or theater of misdeeds, nor a receipt for all offenders. For a place is sanctified or polluted by those that dwell in it, and by the deeds that are done in it.

Numbers 35:34

I dwell] The Italian, I will dwell] in the signes and sacraments of my power, and in the continual effects of my vertue, wherefore I ought to be obeyed in my commands, and reverenced in mine Image, which I have imprinted in man; being not able to suffer violence before mine eyes.