Numbers 35:11
Numbers 35:11 in Multiple Translations
designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there.
Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.
then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly may flee thither.
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.
choose towns as your sanctuary towns, so a person who kills someone by mistake may run there.
Ye shall appoint you cities, to bee cities of refuge for you, that the slayer, which slayeth any person vnwares, may flee thither.
and have prepared to yourselves cities — cities of refuge they are to you — then fled thither hath a man-slayer, smiting a person unawares,
then you shall appoint for yourselves cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the man slayer who kills any person unwittingly may flee there.
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.
Determine what cities shall be for the refuge of fugitives, who have shed blood against their will.
you must choose some cities to which people can run to be safe/protected. If someone kills another person ◄accidentally/without planning to do that►, the one who killed that person may run to one of those cities and be safe.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 35:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 35:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הִקְרִיתֶ֤ם
לָ/כֶם֙
עָרִ֔ים
עָרֵ֥י
מִקְלָ֖ט
תִּהְיֶ֣ינָה
לָ/כֶ֑ם
וְ/נָ֥ס
שָׁ֨מָּ/ה֙
רֹצֵ֔חַ
מַכֵּה
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
בִּ/שְׁגָגָֽה
וְ/הִקְרִיתֶ֤ם
qârâh
H7136
to meet
Conj | V-Hiphil-2mp
לָ/כֶם֙
Prep | Suff
עָרִ֔ים
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fp
עָרֵ֥י
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fp
מִקְלָ֖ט
miqlâṭ
H4733
refuge
N-ms
תִּהְיֶ֣ינָה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
לָ/כֶ֑ם
Prep | Suff
וְ/נָ֥ס
nûwç
H5127
to flee
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
שָׁ֨מָּ/ה֙
shâm
H8033
there
Adv | Suff
רֹצֵ֔חַ
râtsach
H7523
to murder
V-Qal
מַכֵּה
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
V-Hiphil
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs
בִּ/שְׁגָגָֽה
shᵉgâgâh
H7684
unintentionally
Prep | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 35:11
וְ/הִקְרִיתֶ֤ם
qârâh
H7136
"to meet"
Conj | V-Hiphil-2mp
This Hebrew word means to lay beams, or to build with beams. It is used in the book of Exodus to describe the construction of the tabernacle. The word is used to describe a building process.
Definition: 1) to encounter, meet, befall, happen, come to meet 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to encounter, meet 1a2) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to encounter, meet (without pre-arrangement) 1b2) to chance to be present 1b3) to come to meet 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to meet, appoint
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: appoint, lay (make) beams, befall, bring, come (to pass unto), floor, (hap) was, happen (unto), meet, send good speed. See also: Genesis 24:12; 1 Samuel 28:10; Psalms 104:3.
לָ/כֶם֙
""
Prep | Suff
עָרִ֔ים
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
עָרֵ֥י
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
מִקְלָ֖ט
miqlâṭ
H4733
"refuge"
N-ms
A refuge or asylum is a safe place to go for protection, like a shelter from harm. In the Bible, God is often called a refuge, as seen in Psalm 46. It is a place of safety and security.
Definition: refuge, asylum
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: refuge. See also: Numbers 35:6; Numbers 35:32; 1 Chronicles 6:52.
תִּהְיֶ֣ינָה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לָ/כֶ֑ם
""
Prep | Suff
וְ/נָ֥ס
nûwç
H5127
"to flee"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
To flee means to quickly leave a place, like escaping from danger, as seen in the Bible when David fled from King Saul. It can also mean to disappear or vanish. In the book of Psalms, it describes God delivering his people from harm.
Definition: 1) to flee, escape 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to flee 1a2) to escape 1a3) to take flight, m depart, disappear 1a4) to fly (to the attack) on horseback 1b) (Polel) to drive at 1c) (Hithpolel) to take flight 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to put to flight 1d2) to drive hastily 1d3) to cause to disappear, hide Aramaic equivalent: nud (נוּד "to flee" H5111)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard. See also: Genesis 14:10; 2 Samuel 17:2; Psalms 60:6.
שָׁ֨מָּ/ה֙
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv | Suff
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
רֹצֵ֔חַ
râtsach
H7523
"to murder"
V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to murder or kill someone, like Cain killing Abel in Genesis. It emphasizes the intentional act of taking a human life. This word is about premeditated killing.
Definition: 1) to murder, slay, kill 1a)(Qal) to murder, slay 1a1) premeditated 1a2) accidental 1a3) as avenger 1a4) slayer (intentional) (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be slain 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to murder, assassinate 1c2) murderer, assassin (participle) (subst) 1d) (Pual) to be killed
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: put to death, kill, (man-) slay(-er), murder(-er). See also: Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 22:26; Psalms 62:4.
מַכֵּה
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
V-Hiphil
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
בִּ/שְׁגָגָֽה
shᵉgâgâh
H7684
"unintentionally"
Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word means to sin unintentionally or make a mistake without realizing it, like in Leviticus 4:2 where it talks about sinning through ignorance. It emphasizes accidental wrongdoing. This concept is important in the Bible.
Definition: 1) sin, sin of error or inadvertence, inadvertent sin 1a) error
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: error, ignorance, at unawares; unwittingly. See also: Leviticus 4:2; Numbers 15:27; Ecclesiastes 10:5.
Study Notes — Numbers 35:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 35:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 35:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 35:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 35:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 35:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 35:11
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 35:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 35:11
- Sermons on Numbers 35:11
Context — Six Cities of Refuge
9Then the LORD said to Moses,
10“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
11designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there.
12You are to have these cities as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly. 13The cities you select will be your six cities of refuge.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 21:13 | If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. |
| 2 | Joshua 20:2 | “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, |
| 3 | Numbers 35:6 | Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 19:1–13 | When the LORD your God has cut off the nations whose land He is giving you, and when you have driven them out and settled in their cities and houses, then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess. You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities. Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him: If he goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut timber and swings his axe to chop down a tree, but the blade flies off the handle and strikes and kills his neighbor, he may flee to one of these cities to save his life. Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the manslayer in a rage, overtake him if the distance is great, and strike him dead though he did not deserve to die, since he did not intend any harm. This is why I am commanding you to set apart for yourselves three cities. And if the LORD your God enlarges your territory, as He swore to your fathers, and gives you all the land He promised them, and if you carefully keep all these commandments I am giving you today, loving the LORD your God and walking in His ways at all times, then you are to add three more cities to these three. Thus innocent blood will not be shed in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed. If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you. |
| 5 | Numbers 35:22–25 | But if anyone pushes a person suddenly, without hostility, or throws an object at him unintentionally, or without looking drops a heavy stone that kills him, but he was not an enemy and did not intend to harm him, then the congregation must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances. The assembly is to protect the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge to which he fled, and he must live there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 4:42 | to which a manslayer could flee after killing his neighbor unintentionally without prior malice. To save one’s own life, he could flee to one of these cities: |
Numbers 35:11 Summary
The verse Numbers 35:11 is talking about special cities called 'cities of refuge' where people who accidentally hurt someone could run to and be safe. This was a way for God to show mercy to those who didn't mean to hurt anyone, while still making sure they were accountable for their actions, as seen in the concept of justice in Deuteronomy 19:1-13. Just like these cities provided a safe haven, God provides a refuge for us when we are in trouble or feeling overwhelmed, as promised in Psalms 46:1, and we can also provide a refuge for others by showing them love, kindness, and compassion, as taught in Matthew 25:31-46.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the cities of refuge in Numbers 35:11?
The cities of refuge were designated to provide a safe haven for individuals who had unintentionally taken someone's life, allowing them to flee from the avenger until they could stand trial before the assembly, as seen in Numbers 35:12 and supported by the principle of justice in Deuteronomy 19:1-13.
How many cities of refuge were the Israelites supposed to designate?
The Israelites were instructed to select six cities to serve as their cities of refuge, as stated in Numbers 35:13, which would be distributed throughout the land of Canaan to provide accessible refuge for those in need.
What is the difference between murder and unintentional killing in the context of Numbers 35:11?
In the Bible, there is a clear distinction between murder, which is the intentional taking of a life, and unintentional killing, which is an accidental act, as seen in the distinction made in Exodus 21:12-14 and Numbers 35:16-25, with the latter being eligible for refuge in the cities of refuge.
How does the concept of cities of refuge relate to the idea of justice and mercy in the Bible?
The cities of refuge demonstrate God's balance of justice and mercy, as they provide a safe haven for those who have unintentionally taken a life, while also ensuring that the perpetrator is held accountable for their actions, as seen in the broader biblical themes of justice and mercy in Psalms 89:14 and Micah 6:8.
Reflection Questions
- What does the concept of cities of refuge reveal about God's heart for those who are guilty of unintentional harm, and how can we apply this to our own lives?
- In what ways can we, as believers, provide a refuge for those who are seeking safety and protection from the consequences of their actions, as modeled in Numbers 35:11?
- How does the requirement for the manslayer to stand trial before the assembly, as mentioned in Numbers 35:12, relate to the biblical principle of accountability, and what does this teach us about the importance of personal responsibility?
- What are some ways in which the principle of refuge can be applied to our own lives, in terms of seeking refuge in God and providing refuge for others, as seen in Psalms 46:1 and Matthew 11:28?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 35:11
Then ye shall appoint your cities to be cities of refuge for you,.... And, according to the Jewish writers (i), these were neither to be made large nor little, but middling; and they appointed them
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 35:11
Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. Slayer may flee ... which killeth any person at unawares.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 35:11
i.e. Not wilfully, designedly, or maliciously, but inconsiderately, through mistake, or indiscretion, or carelessness. See .
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 35:11
(10, 11) When ye be come over Jordan . . . —Or, Ye are going over the Jordan into the land of Canaan; and ye shall appoint . . .
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 35:11
Verse 11. 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.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 35:11
11. ye shall appoint] Perhaps better ye shall select. The verb in this sense is not found elsewhere in the O.T. cities of refuge] Perhaps cities of reception, a term which occurs only in this chapter, and in Joshua 20, 21. , 1 Chronicles 6:57; 1 Chronicles 6:67. The word is used in Rabbinic Heb. of the collection or reception of rainwater. unwittingly] lit. ‘in error.’ See Numbers 15:24 ff.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 35:11
11. Killeth… unawares — Joshua (Numbers 20:3) adds, “and unwittingly.” See note.
Sermons on Numbers 35:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Numbers 35:11 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of the Cities of Refuge as a foreshadowing of Christ, illustrating how these cities provided safety for those who accidentally killed someon |
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What Must I Do to Be Saved? by D.L. Moody | D.L. Moody passionately addresses the critical question of salvation, emphasizing that conversion is an instantaneous act where one moves from death to life through faith in Christ |
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The City of Refuge. by Andrew Bonar | Andrew Bonar preaches on the concept of cities of refuge as a divine provision for sinners, illustrating how these cities symbolize the salvation found in Christ. He emphasizes tha |
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Improve God's Name by Ralph Erskine | Ralph Erskine preaches on the significance of God's name in salvation, emphasizing how God's mercy and goodness are displayed for the sake of His name. Believers are encouraged to |
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Running Away in Times of Crisis by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson addresses the common desire to escape during crises, emphasizing that while many Christians may feel overwhelmed by life's burdens, true refuge is found in God. He |