Numbers 35:28, commentary and pictures

The verse requires the one who killed without intent to stay inside the city of refuge until the serving high priest dies, and only after that death may he leave to return to his own land and former life. While he remained within the city and its suburbs he was safe, but if he went outside before that time he was exposed to the avenger of blood, and this shelter belonged only to one found after fair trial to have acted accidentally and without hatred, while the willful murderer was put to death. The confinement both shielded him from vengeance and impressed the seriousness of careless taking of life, giving time for reflection and reform and softening the grief and anger of the bereaved. The city is a picture of Christ, to whom the guilty flees for safety from the avenger, which is God's law demanding the sinner's life, with the demand met for the one who remains in him. Unlike that temporary refuge that ended at the high priest's death, Christ lives forever and intercedes continually, so he is an unending refuge, and safety is found only by abiding in him in repentance and obedient faith rather than turning back to sin.

Meaning and Legal Setting

The manslayer who had taken life by accident was required to remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest, and only after that death could he return to his own land and inheritance and former life. The stay ended with the death of the serving high priest, so that release came at different times according to when that death occurred. One declared innocent of criminal intent was still bound to this dwelling until that time.

While he stayed inside the city he was protected, but if he left before the high priest died he was exposed to the avenger of blood and could be killed. He was free within the city, yet he risked his life if he ventured beyond its thousand-cubit suburbs. This protection belonged only to one who had killed accidentally, unintentionally and without enmity, while a willful, premeditated murderer, after a fair trial and a finding of guilt, was instead delivered up to be slain. The refuge therefore did not free a guilty murderer from the consequences of the law but held the unwitting killer secure until lawful release.

The law in this way mitigated the custom of kin avenging murder by providing a place where a homicide could escape and receive a fair trial. The elders of the city admitted the fugitive, and that admission allowed him to enter before his regular trial, which took place later after witnesses were summoned and accusers had time to appear. The required confinement both protected the slayer from the avenger and taught carefulness. It remains just even when the high priest lives long, because accidental killing is no light thing and often involves some carelessness, and remaining there gave opportunity for serious reflection over the whole bearing of the case, for reform and building a righteous character alongside religious teachers, and lessened the hatred and sorrow of the dead person's friends.

The rule belongs to the laws concerning murder and the cities of refuge, which were among the instructions about the cities assigned to the tribe of Levi. Its singular phrase high priest denotes a succession of high priests, the singular name with the article being the idiom for a multitude and even a succession of persons arising one after another, so that the manslayer remained until the serving high priest died.

Christ as the Refuge

The city of refuge is a type and picture of Christ, where the guilty person flees and finds safety from the avenger and is declared free in judgment. The law required the accidental manslayer to remain in the city until the high priest died, and only then could he return to his own land and former life. While he stayed inside he was protected, but leaving before that death exposed him to the avenger of blood and to judgment. The avenger of blood pictures God's law, which demands the sinner's life, and the sinner who flees to Christ and remains in him is safe because that demand is satisfied.

The Old Testament refuge was only temporary, protecting the slayer until the death of the high priest, in contrast with Christ, whose unending priesthood makes Him an eternal Refuge. Because He lives forever and intercedes continually, that refuge never ends. Safety from wrath and judgment is therefore found only by remaining in Christ, while departing from Him leaves a person exposed and facing judgment. This provision illustrates God's provision of life for transgressors who repent and return to Him, not as permission to continue sinning but as encouragement to remain obedient to God's law through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

God's appointed cities of refuge among His own people of old were true cities of safety, more safe than the thoroughly fortified cities of this world that men have thought to be cities of safety. The phrase cities of refuge can also figuratively describe cities made places of care and safety through work for struggling women and children.