· Translation: KJV

Numbers 35:11then you shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person unwittingly may flee there.

The setting

Wilderness of Moab, ~1406 BC. Moses receiving final laws before Israel enters Canaan, modern-day Israel/Palestine...

The emotion here: awe at recording God's preventive mercy for future tragedies

The original word

miqlāṭ (מקלט) — place of absorption, where guilt is taken in and neutralized

Why it matters

These cities were strategically placed so no one in Israel was more than a day's journey from safety

Read with care

What most readers miss in Numbers 35:11

God planned escape routes for accidents before Israel even crossed the Jordan

Common misconceptionPeople think this is just ancient law, but it reveals God's heart for accident victims - He provides refuge before the accident even happens.

Bible Genome reading

Numbers 35:11 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerGod
Eraexodus
Primary emotionresting
Literary typelaw
MarkPromise of God
MarkCommand

Emotional genome

Comfort power80%
Quotability60%
Memorability80%
Crisis relevance90%
Standalone60%
Themes:mercyunintentional sinsanctuary

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Numbers 35

Numbers 35:11 comes from the book of Numbers, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is resting, with a comfort power of 80% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include mercy, unintentional sin, sanctuary. Notable phrases: cities of refuge; manslayer; kills unwittingly. This verse contains a promise of God. This verse contains a command.

Your reflection

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