Gen 4:9-10, Lev 19:16, Num 35:31-33, Deu 21:1-9, Psa 9:12, Mat 23:35 | TSK | STEP

Ac 4:12; Ga 2:21; 3:10-13,22; Re 5:9The region east of Jordan was nearly as long as that on the west, and therefore three cities were appointed in each division. One or other of these cities would be within half a day's journey of every part of the land; and as it would rarely happen that the avenger of blood would be on the spot, and none had a right to assault or detain the manslayer, at least if no malicious intention was manifest, the unhappy men would, therefore, get the start of their adversaries, and very few of them be overtaken before they gained the place of refuge. But then they must forsake their families, employments, most important interests, and dearest comforts; and they must neither loiter nor yield to weariness, nor regard difficulties, nor slacken their pace, till they had got safe within the walls of the city. The Jewish writers inform us, that to afford every facility to those who thus fled for their life, the road to these cities was always preserved in good repair; and way-posts, upon which was inscribed REFUGE were placed wherever needful, that they might not so much as hesitate for a moment.

it defileth.

Le 18:25; De 21:1-8,23; 2Ki 23:26; 24:4; Ps 106:28; Isa 26:21

Eze 22:24-27; Ho 4:2,3; Mic 4:11; Mt 23:31-35; Lu 11:50,51

the land cannot be cleansed. Heb. there can be no expiationfor the land.

Deuteronomy 21:1-9

1 The expiation of an uncertain murder.

10 The usage of a captive taken to wife.

15 The first-born is not to be disinherited upon private affection.

18 A rebellious son is to be stoned to death.

22 The malefactor must not hang all night on a tree.

Ps 5:6; 9:12; Pr 28:17; Isa 26:21; Ac 28:4

16:18,19; Ro 13:3,4

an.

Nu 19:2; Jer 31:18; Mt 11:28-30; Php 2:8

a rough valley.As the word {nachal} signifies both a torrent, and the valley or glen through which it flows, {nachal aithan} may be rendered a rapid torrent. Many torrents in Judea are dry during a great part of the year; when not only their banks but their beds may be ploughed, and yield a crop. Hence there is no impropriety in specifying that such a place should be one that "is neither cared nor sown;" while the circumstance that the elders were to wash their hands over the heifer, whose head had been struck off into the stream, confirms this interpretation. The spot of ground where this sacrifice was made must be uncultivated, because it was considered as a sacrifice for the atonement of murder, and, consequently, would pollute the land.

shall strike.

1Pe 2:21-24; 3:18

for them.

10:8; 18:5; Nu 6:22-27; 1Ch 23:13

by their word.

17:8-12; Mal 2:7

word. Heb. mouth.

wash their hands.Washing the hands was anciently a symbolical action, denoting that the person was innocent of the crime in question.

Job 9:30; Ps 19:12; 26:6; 51:2,7,14; 73:13; Jer 2:22; Mt 27:24,25

Heb 9:10

Nu 5:19-28; 2Sa 16:8; Job 21:21-23,31-34; Ps 7:3,4

lay not.