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fathers, and the tribe of the children of Gad, according to the house of their fathers, have received their inheritance, and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance.

15 The two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance " on this ide Jordan near Jericho, eastward, toward the sun-rising.

16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

17 These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun.

18 And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land by inher

itance.

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19 And the names of the men are these: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud. 21 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon.

22 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli. 23 The prince of the children of Joseph, for the tribe of the children of Manasseh, Hanniel the son of Ephod.

24 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan.

25 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Zebulun, Elizaphan the son of Parnach.

26 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Issachar, Paltiel the son of

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more fertile country than Canaan, might be a useful lesson to Israel, to shun those sins which brought destruction upon Sodom and Gomorrah; and the wilderness might call to remembrance their wanderings, rebellions, and mercies there; and the border of Egypt might remind them, "that they had been bondmen, but that the LORD their God had redeemed them."

V. 13-15. The countries already conquered, and conditionally assigned to the two tribes and a half, lay without these boundaries: but the Israelites might make alliances with other nations, not included in this grant; and they were not allowed to dispossess or extirpate them, as they did the devoted Canaanites.-During the reigns of David and Solomon they possessed a much larger country: yet, through their own sloth and wickedness, they seldom actually enjoyed the whole even of the land here granted to them.

V. 16-29. This appointment of the persons who should divide the land, gave assurance of conquest to Israel; and to the persons themselves of preservation from the sword, and from natural death, during the wars with the Canaanites. VOL. I.

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2 Command the children of Israel, heritance of their possession, cities to that they give unto the Levites, of the indwell in: and ye shall give also unto the

Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.

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3 And the cities shall they have to dwell in, and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.

4 And the suburbs of the cities which

ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward, a

thousand cubits round about.

5 And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits, and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.

6 And among the cities which ye shall

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PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. The people of God, though generally poor, are said "to inherit the earth;" because "a little that the righteous hath, is better than the riches of many wicked."--For the bounds of their habitation, and the measure of their provision, are assigned them by the only wise God, their heavenly Father, in subserviency to their salvation, and the increase of grace and peace in their souls. Their numbers have likewise hitherto been few: and they have commonly been despised and neglected, by the multitude of the turbulent and wicked of the world. But "the eye of the LORD is upon them;" "his Name is their strong Tower;" he "knoweth what things they have need of," and hath reserved for them a more enduring inheritance in heaven; and "they are kept by his power through faith unto salvation." May we cast our lot among them, and not covet riches, nor seek, in any improper way, to increase our temporal provision; may we be careful not to live beneath our privileges, through sloth or indulgence; may we enjoy the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts, as an assurance of victory and eternal life; and

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give unto the Levites, there shall be a six | 11 Then ' ye shall appoint you cities cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint to be cities of refuge for you; that the for the manslayer, that he may flee thith- slayer may flee thither, which killeth any er: and to them ye shall add forty and person at unawares.

two cities.

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12 And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.

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13 And of these cities which ye shall give, six cities shall ye have for refuge. 14 Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.

15 These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them; that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.

16 And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

í See on 6.-Josh. 20:2.

Heb. by error. 22.23. Ex. 21:
13. Deut. 4:42. 19:4,5.

k 19,25-27. Deut. 19:6. Josh.
20:3-6,9. 2 Sam. 14:7.

m Deut. 4:41-43. 19:8-10, Josh. 20:7-9.

n 15:16. Ex. 12:49. Rom. 3:49. Gal. 3:28.

o 22-24. Deut. 19:11-13.

1 24. Deut. 19:11,12. Josh. 20: p 30-33. Gen. 9:5,6. Ex. 21:
4-6.
12-14. Lev. 24:17.

devolved upon the nearest relation, or next heir,
or "the redeemer;" (so the word rendered avenger
signifies;) the very person to whom the right of
redemption belonged; who in notorious cases
might pursue the criminal any whither, and exe-
cute vengeance without the formalities of a trial.
This custom, under certain restrictions, was sanc-
tioned by the divine law: for it must be supposed,
that the avenger was not authorized to put any
one to death on mere suspicion; as the magistrates
and congregation might not inflict this punish-
ment, except the fact was proved by the testi-
mony of two witnesses. (Note, 24-30.) But,
even if the person was certainly known, an equi-
table and merciful provision was also made, for
the security of those who had unintentionally shed
blood. Six cities were appointed in different
parts of the land, to which they might flee for
refuge and be safe, until they had a fair trial be-

CHAP. XXXV. V. 2-8. These cities, reserved for the priests and Levites, were designed, not only for their accommodation, but likewise that they might reside as religious instructers in the several parts of the land, and conveniently go to the adjacent towns and villages, or receive those who thence resorted to them. They might also dwell elsewhere on some occasions, and those of other tribes might live in these cities as their tenants.-Though the typical temple-service was limited to one place; yet reading, expounding, and enforcing the law of God, with prayer and praise, were not thus confined, but might be at- || tended to any where, with reference to the ap-fore the proper magistrates. One or other of pointed sacrifices and priesthood, and to the ark these cities would lie within half a day's journey of the covenant.-Thus the curse pronounced on of every part of the land. It would rarely occur Levi (Gen. 49:7.) was turned into a blessing, that the avenger of blood would be on the spot, both to them, and to Israel in general.-- Many of and none else had a right to assault or detain the the cities spoken of seem to have been like our manslayer; at least if no malicious intention was market-towns; and they were very numerous in manifest. These unhappy men would therefore that populous and fruitful country. The suburbs generally get the start of their adversaries, and of a thousand cubits nearest the city would serve very few of them be overtaken before they gainfor gardens and out-houses; and the larger sub-ed the place of refuge. But then they must leave urb of another thousand, at a greater distance, their families, employments, and most important would yield pasture for the flocks. The whole interests, and dearest comforts: and they must seems to have extended nearly three quarters of neither loiter, nor yield to weariness, nor regard a mile on every side of each city; and, though difficulties, nor slacken their pace, till they had forty-eight such cities with the suburbs, in ad- got safe within the walls of the city; which sedition to the tithes and other perquisites, would be cured them, in virtue of the divine institution, and a very plentiful provision for this small tribe, it not by its own natural strength.-The Jewish does not appear that the people complained of it writers inform us, that, to afford every facility to as exorbitant. those who thus fled for their life, the road to these cities was always preserved in good repair; and way-posts, inscribed REFUGE, were placed wherV. 11-15. In order to express the greater ab-ever needful, that they might not so much as heshorrence of murder and to provide the more effectually for the punishment of the murderer, the prosecution and execution, by ancient custom,

Cities for refuge. (6) Marg. Ref. d. Note, 11||

-15.

itate for a moment. All strangers and sojourners, whether proselytes or not, were allowed the_benefit of this provision: for the tradition of the Jews,

17 And if he smite him 9 with * throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

18 Or if he smite him with an handweapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

19 The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him he shall slay him.

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20 But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait that he die;

21 Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer when he meeteth him.

22 But if he thrust him suddenly " without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait;

23 Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:

X

24 Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood, according to these judgments;

25 And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whith er he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which z anointed with the holy oil.

was

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that none but proselytes were intended, most evidently contradicts the text. The region eastward of Jordan was nearly as long as that to the west of the river, and therefore three cities were appointed in each division.

V. 16-23. The several instances here adduced on each side, in order to illustrate the grand principle of the law and the difference between the unfortunate manslayer and the murderer, are not intended to mark the distinction between sudden anger and malice prepense; (which latter is indeed an aggravation, but not essential to murder:) but between intentionally striking a man with any weapon likely to cause death, or in wrath from hatred, or with a design of doing him injury; and an unintentional blow, at unawares, and without seeking his harm, which alone is here considered as manslaughter. (Note, Deut. 19:2—10.)

V. 24-30. After the manslayer had been received into the city of refuge, the avenger of blood could only act as prosecutor; and the magistrates, in the presence of the people, were appointed to decide the cause according to the rules here laid

26 But if the slayer shall at any time come without the borders of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;

27 And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:

a

28 Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest, the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.

29 So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you, throughout your generations, in all your dwellings.

d

30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.

31 Moreover, ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.

32 And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.

33 So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are; for blood, it defileth the land: the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.

Heb. no blood shall be to
him. Ex. 22:2. Deut. 19:6,10.
a John 15:4-6. Acts 11:23. 27:
31. Heb. 3:14. 6:4-8. 10:26
-30,39.

b Heb. 9:11,12,15-17.
c See on 27:1.

d Deut. 17:6,7, 19:15. Matt. 18:
16. John 8:17.18. 2 Cor. 13:1.
1 Tim. 5:19. Heb. 10:28. Rev.
11:3.

e Gen. 9:5,6. Ex. 21:14. Deut.

1

19:11-13. 2 Sam. 12:13.
Kings 2:28-34. Ps. 51:14,16.
Heb. faulty to die.
Acts 4:12. Gal. 2:21. 3:10-
13,22. Rev. 5:9.

g Lev. 18:25. Deut. 21:1-8,
23. 2 Kings 23:26. 24:4. Ps.
106:38. Is. 26:21. Ez. 22:24
-27. Hos. 4:2,3. Mic. 4:11.
Matt. 23:35. Luke 11:50,51.
Heb. there can be no expia-
tion for the land.

down. Probably the accused person was tried at or near the place, where the deceased had been slain, and where evidence could most easily be brought: and in case he was acquitted by the decision of the judges, and with the approbation of the people, he was conveyed back to the city of refuge, where he was protected, as a kind of prisoner at large, till the death of the high priest when the public loss, and the grief occasioned by it, might be supposed to swallow up all personal regrets and resentments: and then he was permitted to return to his house and estate. But if, in the mean while, he ventured to leave the city, and the avenger met him and slew him, he was supposed to merit his doom by thus neglecting the appointment of God for his preservation, and the avenger must not be punished. This shews that in other cases, if the avenger slew an innocent man on surmise, he was liable to the punishment of a murderer.-But if, by the testimony of two credible witnesses, the man who had fled to the city of refuge (or any other person tried for murder,) was adjudged guilty, he must, without fail,

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34 Defile not therefore the land for I the LORD dwell among the chilwhich ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: dren of Israel.

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i Ps. 135:21. 1s. 57:15. Hos. 27.

be put to death: yet if only one witness supported the charge, though he appeared guilty, he must not be thus punished.

k 5:3. Ex. 25:8. 29:45,46. 1 Kings 6:13. Ps. 132:14. Is. §:12.

and to seize every opportunity of conciliating the people, and gaining attention to their instructions. So that the grant, and the effect of V. 31-34. In case murder was proved against it when properly used, were intended ultimately a man, no atonement or ransom might be accepted and mainly for the advantage of those who gave, for his life; but, however otherwise distinguished, not of those who received it. But the sinfulness he must be put to death: nay, further, no atone- of man's heart perverts the wisest constitutions, ment or compensation might purchase the man-|| human and divine: and the abuse made, alas! by slayer the liberty of leaving the city of refuge, too many, affords others a plausible pretext for before the death of the high priest! Because mur- neglecting their duty. Thus both are criminal, der was to be considered, not so much as the pri- but they who furnish the excuse have the deeper vate injury of an individual, as the crime of the guilt. It is very profitable for the ministers of nation, which could only be expiated by the death the gospel frequently to confer together. This of the offender; and as defiling the land, till thus tends to increase mutual love, and gives younger expiated. (Note, Deut. 21:1-9.) Does not this ministers especially the opportunity of profiting fully prove, that the connivance of our govern- by the knowledge, experience, and observations ment, in the burning of widows, and in human of their seniors: but above all they should pray sacrifices, and in other species of murder, commuch together, for each other personally, for a mitted in our East Indian dominions, under the blessing on each other's labors, for a blessing on pretext of an idolatrous religion, is wholly unjusti- the word, and for the success of the gospel and fiable, and burdens our land and all connected the enlargement of the church, in every place. with those distant regions, with the guilt of blood, And when, with this advantage, access to a numnot expiated by that of those who shed it?-The|ber of willing hearers can be obtained, a minisvengeance of God might be expected on the nater of Christ has abundant reason for content and tion of Israel, if the magistrates and people neg- thankfulness.-In the maintenance of the minislected their duty in this respect; and especially, try, in the support of divine worship, in the proas to the land, in which the Lord himself conde-vision for the poor, or in any other good work, scended to dwell by his temple and ordinances. equality and proportion should be considered, This remarkable law, expressive of the deepest both by those who contribute, and those who redetestation of murder, yet providing most effectu-ceive; for that donation is liberality from the ally against the innocent being punished with the poorer, which is shamefully scanty in those of suguilty, is likewise an instructive typical repre-perior affluence. sentation of the salvation of the gospel. "The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men." "It is It is very important in the administration o. appointed unto men once to die, and after death is justice, that the guilty should not escape, and the judgment," with its eternal consequences. In that the innocent should not suffer: and though the mean while, a REFUGE is provided and rethe prosecution and execution of criminals be a vealed in Christ Jesus. His ministers warn sin- painful, and in many cases an odious employment; ners to "flee from the wrath to come," and in- yet it is necessary, and therefore it is a duty struct and exhort them to "flee for refuge, to lay which should be performed by those concerned, hold on the hope set before them." All things are from regard to public justice and the welfare of prepared for the reception of those who obey this society. This is especially the case with murder call. By faith they discern both their danger and in all its forms, and under all disguises, which so Refuge. Then fear urges, and hope animates. pollutes the land, that nothing but the blood of Should death, like the avenger of blood, find them the murderer, whatever be his rank or quality, without, destruction is inevitable. All is at stake: can cleanse it. Alas! that unscriptural and ab this is their "one thing needful." Now no longer surd distinctions, and concessions to the maxims will they be amused, or bribed, or persuaded to of proud ungodly men, should cause so many atroloiter. Even their choicest earthly comforts, and cious murders to pass unpunished, the guilt of most important temporal interests, appear com- which, with accumulating weight will, it is separatively worthless. They "count all but loss...riously to be apprehended, help to sink this nathat they may win Christ, and be found in him." They apply earnestly to him, and follow his instructions. They are welcomed into the Refuge which he hath provided. "There is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus:" but a trial must take place before the assembled world, by which those who have a right, as true believers, to this Refuge, will be distinguished from all who have only a dead faith. At present true believers abide in him, and cleave to him in the obedience of faith and love; and at length in virtue of the death of their great and gracious High Priest, they will be restored to their forfeited inheritance.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

V. 1-8.

The provision, which God hath appointed for his ministers, was not intended to pamper them in pride, sloth, or self-indulgence; and thus to disqualify them for their work, and teach them to dislike and despise it: but to free them from distracting care, and to leave them at leisure wholly to employ themselves in their important duties;

V. 9-34.

tion into destruction!-this nation which hath so long been favored in a peculiar manner in God's providence, and where he hath so long dwelt by his word and ordinances; but which, infidelity, profaneness, and licentiousness, threatening to deluge all before them, mark to be ripening apace for ruin; except, in answer to the prayers of the remnant of his people, "the Spirit of the LORD lift up a standard against them!" Let us all then with one consent present our supplications in behalf of our beloved country, that ref ormation and a general revival of pure religion may avert the judgments of God.-The restric tions, dangers, and inconveniences, which unin tentional bloodshed occasioned, should impress us with horror at the thought of even heedlessly occasioning death; and should increase our caution and circumspection, as well as watchfulness over our passions, and also our earnestness in praying to be preserved from such a calamity.-But above all, let sinners take warning without delay to flee for refuge to Jesus Christ, whatever they renounce, venture, and suffer: let them not

CHAP. XXXVI.

A difficulty shewn by the Manassites respecting daughters inherphehad's daughters are married to the sons of their father's

iting, 1--5. Such must marry in their own tribe, 6-9. Zelo

brother, 10-13.

A

doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them + marry to whom they think best; 'only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry.

ND the chief fathers of the families of the children of a Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spake before Moses, and before the princes, the chief fathers of the chil-ance of the tribe of his fathers. dren of Israel;

7 So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe; for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inherit

8 And every daughter, that possess

2 And they said, The LORD com- eth an inheritance in any tribe of the manded my lord to give the land for an children of Israel, shall be wife unto one inheritance by lot to the children of of the family of the tribe of her father, Israel: and my lord was commanded by that the children of Israel may enjoy the LORD to give the inheritance of every man the inheritance of his fathers. Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters,

3 And if they be married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel; then shall their inheritance be taken from the inheritance of our fathers, and shall be put to the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received: so shall it be taken from the lot of our inheritance.

4 And when the jubilee of the children of Israel shall be, then shall their inheritance be put unto the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received: so shall their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.

5 And Moses commanded the children of Israel, according to the word of the LORD, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph hath said well.

e

6 This is the thing which the LORD

a 26:29-33. 27:1. Josh. 17:2,3.

1 Chr. 7:14-16.

*Heb. unto whom they shall

be.

b 26:55,56. 27:1-7. 33:54. Josh. d Lev. 25:10-18,23. Is. 61:2. 13:6, 14:1,2.

c 27:7. Josh. 17:3-6. Job 42: 15.

Luke 4:18,19.

e 27:7. Deut. 5:28.

stop short, turn back, or loiter: let them not fear a repulse; for the Refuge is appointed for the purpose of receiving all such, as are sensible of their danger, and flee to lay hold on the hope set before them, how vile soever they have been. Let them abide in Christ, and shew their faith by a thankful obedience to him, who died for sinners and rose again: let them be careful not to pervert this refuge by encouraging themselves in unrepented sin: and let them wait the appointed time, and they shall certainly at length be restored to liberty, and reinstated in their forfeited inheritThe Lord grant that neither the writer, nor any of the readers, may be "of those who draw back unto perdition:" but that we all may be "of those who believe to the saving of the soul!"

9 Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance.

10 T Even as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad:

11 For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their fa ther's brother's sons.

12 And they were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh, the son of Joseph; and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father.

13 These are the commandments and

the judgments, which the LORD command-
ed by the hand of Moses unto the chil-
dren of Israel, 'in the plains of Moab
by Jordan near Jericho.
Heb. be wives.

f 12. Gen. 24:57,53.
Heb. cleave to. 9. 1 Kings

21:3.

i 27:1.

Heb. to some that were of the families.

k Lev. 7:57,38. 11:46. 13:59: g 1 Chr. 23:22. 14:54-57. 15:32,33. 27:34. h Ex. 39:42,43. Lev. 24:23.1 26:3. 33:50. 35:1. 2 Chr. 30:12. Matt. 28:20.

terwards allotted west of Jordan; yet, expecting the promised land, the elders of the Manassites proposed a difficulty, upon the adjudged case of Zelophehad's daughters. (Notes, 27:1-11.)—If the females should inherit, in defect of male issue, and should intermarry with other tribes, they would diminish the interest and weaken the influence of their own tribes, and give occasion to future confusion, and perhaps contention. The Manassites therefore referred the case to Moses; and he, by the authority of God, annexed a clause, which would effectually keep the tribes and inheritances distinct, as long as it was observed. Heiresses were not allowed to marry out of their own tribe, though within those bounds they might consult their own inclinations. Probably there had been some prospect of Zelophehad's daughters marrying into another tribe; as both their CHAP. XXXVI. V. 1-12. It does not appear character and expected inheritance would induce that Manasseh left any son but Machir, or Machir overtures from different quarters: but when the any son but Gilead; from whose posterity, in dif- will of God was declared, all parties acquiesced, ferent families, this whole numerous tribe had and they were married to their own cousins; not sprung. To one division of it a portion had been out of necessity, for there were many thousands assigned eastward of Jordan: but Zelophehad was within the assigned limits; but by choice, and perof that division, to which an inheritance was af-haps because these were the next heirs of the

ance.

NOTES.

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