Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 35:29
these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations--The law of the blood-avenger, as thus established by divine authority, was a vast improvement on the ancient practice of Goelism. By the appointment of cities of refuge, the manslayer was saved, in the meantime, from the blind and impetuous fury of vindictive relatives; but he might be tried by the local court, and, if proved guilty on sufficient evidence, condemned and punished as a murderer, without the possibility of deliverance by any pecuniary satisfaction. The enactment of Moses, which was an adaptation to the character and usages of the Hebrew people, secured the double advantage of promoting the end…
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Until the death of the priest - Probably intended to typify, that no sinner can be delivered from his banishment from God, or recover his forfeited inheritance, till Jesus Christ, the great high priest, had died for his offenses, and risen again for his justification.
John Gill on Numbers 35:32
Moreover, ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge,.... Though for killing a man unawares:
that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest; the high priest; such a man's liberty was not to be purchased with money, nor even his life to be bought off, should he be taken without his city; a great ransom could not deliver him from the avenger, because he was guilty of this law, which so wisely and mercifully provided for him; and consequently guilty also of great ingratitude to God, as well as of a breach of his law, and of disrespect to his high priest, under whom he was protected.
John Calvin on Numbers 35:9–end
Numbers 35:9-34
9. And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying,
9. Et locutus est Jehova ad Mosen dicendo:
10. Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan,
10. Alloquere filios Israel, et dicas eis, Quum transieritis Jordanem in terra Chanaan,
11. Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.
11. Constituetis vobis urbes: urbes autem refugii erunt vobis, quo fugiet homicida qui percusserit aliquem per errorem.
12. And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregati…
