Numbers 35:25

God's Word

⌞If you are innocent,⌟ the community must protect you from that relative. They must take you back to the city of refuge you fled to. You must live there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.

Cross References

2 Samuel 14:14

We are all going to die; we are all like water that is poured on the ground and can’t be gathered up. But doesn’t God forgive a person? He never plans to keep a banished person in exile.

Exodus 29:7

Take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint him.

Leviticus 21:10

“The priest who is anointed with oil and wears the chief priest’s clothes is chief over his brothers. He must never mourn by leaving his hair uncombed or by tearing his clothes.

Leviticus 4:3

“If the anointed priest does something wrong and brings guilt on the people, he must bring a bull that has no defects as an offering for sin to the Lord.

Leviticus 8:12

He also poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to set him apart for his holy duties.

Numbers 35:24

Then the community must use these rules in order to decide if you ⌞are innocent⌟ or if the dead person’s relative can avenge the death.

Numbers 35:26

“But don’t go outside the city of refuge you fled to.

Numbers 35:28

Accused murderers must stay in their city of refuge until the death of the high priest. They may go back to their own property only after his death.

Joshua 20:6

The accused person may remain in that city until he can stand trial in front of the congregation or until whoever is chief priest at that time dies. Then he may go back to his home in the city from which he ran away.’ ”