The LORD begins a pivotal section of legal instruction by personally addressing Moses, establishing that the forthcoming cities of refuge are grounded in divine command rather than human design.
At this point in the book of Numbers, we read, “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,” (Numbers 35:9), a simple yet profound statement that sets Moses apart as the chosen messenger through whom God delivers specific legal and moral directives. Moses lived from around 1526 BC to 1406 BC and led the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt (1446 BC) before guiding them through the wilderness toward the Promised Land. The introduction, “Then the LORD spoke,” underscores that what follows is divinely ordained instruction meant to shape Israelite society.
Immediately after this verse, the overarching theme becomes the designation of “cities of refuge,” special places where individuals who had caused an unintentional death could seek protection from those seeking revenge. According to the relevant instructions that extend from Numbers 35:9 through the end of that chapter, six such cities would ultimately be set aside—three east of the Jordan, and three west of the Jordan—to ensure that innocent blood would not be shed in the covenant community. These directives are also found in other passages, such as Deuteronomy 19:1-13, and emphasize that God’s law balances both mercy for accidental killing and justice for intentional murder.
This verse, in its brevity, prepares readers for the detailed legislation that follows, highlighting how seriously the LORD regarded both community well-being and the sanctity of life. The cities of refuge model God’s desire to differentiate between deliberate acts of violence and unintentional harm, mirroring His gracious provision and ultimate justice. When seen through the lens of the New Testament, some believe these places of refuge reflect Christ’s role as a merciful sanctuary for repentant sinners (John 3:16).
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Numbers 35:9 meaning
At this point in the book of Numbers, we read, “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,” (Numbers 35:9), a simple yet profound statement that sets Moses apart as the chosen messenger through whom God delivers specific legal and moral directives. Moses lived from around 1526 BC to 1406 BC and led the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt (1446 BC) before guiding them through the wilderness toward the Promised Land. The introduction, “Then the LORD spoke,” underscores that what follows is divinely ordained instruction meant to shape Israelite society.
Immediately after this verse, the overarching theme becomes the designation of “cities of refuge,” special places where individuals who had caused an unintentional death could seek protection from those seeking revenge. According to the relevant instructions that extend from Numbers 35:9 through the end of that chapter, six such cities would ultimately be set aside—three east of the Jordan, and three west of the Jordan—to ensure that innocent blood would not be shed in the covenant community. These directives are also found in other passages, such as Deuteronomy 19:1-13, and emphasize that God’s law balances both mercy for accidental killing and justice for intentional murder.
This verse, in its brevity, prepares readers for the detailed legislation that follows, highlighting how seriously the LORD regarded both community well-being and the sanctity of life. The cities of refuge model God’s desire to differentiate between deliberate acts of violence and unintentional harm, mirroring His gracious provision and ultimate justice. When seen through the lens of the New Testament, some believe these places of refuge reflect Christ’s role as a merciful sanctuary for repentant sinners (John 3:16).