Numbers 35:12

Afrikaans 1933/1953

En die stede moet vir julle as toevlug dien vanweë die bloedwreker, sodat hy wat 'n doodslag begaan het, nie sterwe voordat hy voor die vergadering gestaan het om geoordeel te word nie.

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Numbers explains that certain cities will serve as places of safety for someone who has accidentally killed another person, protecting them from a family member seeking revenge until they can face a fair trial. It's a way to ensure justice and protect the innocent from being wrongly punished.

Explained for Children

Imagine you accidentally break your friend's toy and they get really mad and want to punish you. This verse is like saying, 'Hey, let's give the person who broke the toy a safe place to stay until we can decide if it was an accident or on purpose.' It's about being fair and not jumping to conclusions.

Historical Background

The Book of Numbers was written by Moses around 1400 BC, detailing laws and instructions for the Israelites. This verse is part of the laws that Moses gave to protect people from hasty justice and ensure fair treatment for those who were accused of manslaughter.

Living It Out Today

Today, this verse can be applied to situations where someone is accused of wrongdoing and needs to be heard before judgment. For example, a manager might give an employee accused of misconduct a chance to present their side of the story before making a decision.

Topics

• justice
• protection
• legal matters
• fairness
• cities of refuge
• judgment

Related Verses

• Deuteronomy 19:1-13
• Joshua 20:1-9
• Exodus 21:12-14
• 1 Kings 2:28-32
• Hebrews 6:17-18

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cities of refuge?

Cities of refuge were special towns designated in ancient Israel where someone who had accidentally killed another person could go to be safe from revenge until they had a fair trial.

Who would use these cities?

Someone who had accidentally caused another person's death could seek refuge in these cities to avoid immediate punishment by an avenger seeking revenge.

How did this system ensure fairness?

By giving the accused a place to stay safely until a trial could be held, it ensured that accusations were properly evaluated and justice was served rather than immediate revenge.

Does this system still apply today?

While the specific cities of refuge are not used today, the principle of ensuring fair treatment and protection before judgment is still very relevant in modern legal systems.