Numbers 35:1
INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 35
Though the tribe of Levi had no part in the division of the land, yet cities out of the several tribes are here ordered to be given them to dwell in, to the number of forty eight, Nu 35:1, six of which were to be cities of refuge, Nu 35:9, but not for wilful murderers, in whatsoever way they might kill a man, Nu 35:16, but for such who had killed a man unawares, Nu 35:22, and several rules are given relating to such persons, Nu 35:25, but no satisfaction was to be taken in case of murder, nor to excuse a person's return to his own house before the death of the high priest, who had fled to a city of refuge, that so the land might not be defiled, Nu 35:30.
Ver. 1. And the Lord spake to Moses,.... After he had described the borders of the land, and given instructions about the division of it among the several tribes, and named the persons that should be concerned in parting and putting it into the possession of the Israelites, he makes a provision for the Levites; for though they had no inheritance in the land as a tribe, yet it was proper they should have cities and houses to dwell in; for it would not be suitable that they should be always about the tabernacle, as they were in the wilderness; and it is concerning this the Lord is said to speak to Moses,
in the plains of Moab by Jordan, near Jericho: where the Israelites now were, and had been for some time:
saying; as follows.