John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities , etc.] Any one of them, that was nearest to him: shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city ; for he might not rush in without leave: and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city ; lay before them the whole matter, how that he had killed a person unawares, by what means it came about, and that it was merely through error, without any malicious design, and was a mere accident: they shall take him into the city unto them ; directly, lest the avenger of blood should come and seize on him, and kill him; and they were to take him into the city, not only to prevent that, but to examine him still more closely about the matter, and get further satisfaction; and being satisfied, were to continue him in it: and give him a place, that he might dwell among them ; until his death, or the death of the high priest, if that was first. Kimchi observes from their Rabbins, the he was not to hire a house all the time of his dwelling there, but was to have one freely, because it is said, “and give him”, etc.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - When the Israelites were settled in their promised inheritance, the were reminded to set apart the cities of refuge, whose use and typica meaning have been explained, Nu 35; De 19. God's spiritual Israel have and shall have in Christ and heaven, not only rest to repose in, but refuge to secure themselves in. These cities were designed to typif the relief which the gospel provides for penitent sinners, and their protection from the curse of the law and the wrath of God, in our Lor Jesus, to whom believers flee for refuge, Heb 6:18.
Original Hebrew ונס5127 אל413 אחת259 מהערים5892 האלה428 ועמד5975 פתח6607 שׁער8179 העיר5892 ודבר1696 באזני241 זקני2205 העיר5892 ההיא1931 את853 דבריו1697 ואספו622 אתו853 העירה5892 אליהם413 ונתנו5414 לו מקום4725 וישׁב3427 עמם׃5973
