Though the tribe of Levi had no part in the division of the land, yet cities out of the several tribes are here ordered to be given them to dwell in, to the number of forty eight, Nu 35:1, six of which were to be cities of refuge, Nu 35:9, but not for wilful murderers, in whatsoever way they might kill a man, Nu 35:16, but for such who had killed a man unawares, Nu 35:22, and several rules are given relating to such persons, Nu 35:25, but no satisfaction was to be taken in case of murder, nor to excuse a person's return to his own house before the death of the high priest, who had fled to a city of refuge, that so the land might not be defiled, Nu 35:30.
Ver. 1. And the Lord spake to Moses,....