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Numbers 35:28

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 35:28 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the manslayer shall return into the land of his possession.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the manslayer shall return into the land of his possession.
Numbers 35:28 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 35

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25and the congregation shall deliver the manslayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall dwell therein until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.
26But if the manslayer shall at any time go beyond the border of his city of refuge, whither he fleeth,
27and the avenger of blood find him without the border of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood slay the manslayer; he shall not be guilty of blood,
28because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the manslayer shall return into the land of his possession.
29And these things shall be for a statute [and] ordinance unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
30Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be slain at the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person that he die.
31Moreover ye shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer, that is guilty of death; but he shall surely be put to death.
← Numbers 35:27Numbers 35:29 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest, etc.] Nothing could give him his liberty but his death; so that though this was a merciful provision made in such cases for such persons, and was a considerable benefit and privilege, yet it carried in it some appearance of a punishment; since such a person was confined within the boundaries of one of the cities of refuge as long as the high priest lived; and this was done to make persons cautious how they were any way accessory to the death of another, though without design: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession; to that part of the land, and…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he should: Joh 15:4-6; Act 11:23, Act 27:31; Heb 3:14, Heb 6:4-8, Heb 10:26-30, Heb 10:39 after the death: Heb 9:11, Heb 9:12, Heb 9:15-17 Numbers 35:29”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification