“‘You shall take no ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may come again to dwell in the land before the death of the priest.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 32. Cities. Hebrew “you shall take no money to retire to a city of refuge, to return into his own country, till the death of the priest.” The Septuagint supply, “you shall take no redemption money, to permit (a voluntary murderer) to flee into a city of refuge, (nor of an involuntary one,) to return,” and so forth Grotius.—The banished, may refer to people of the former description, who had gone away to screen themselves from persecution. But they could never be allowed to inhabit the country any more. Their presence would seem to defile it. Bible.—“You shall not take money of him who has fled to a city of refuge, to suffer him to return home.” Chaldee.