Matthew Poole and continuators on Numbers 35:12

12 And they shall be unto you cities for refuge, from the avenger , that the man-slayer die not , until he stand before the congregation in judgment .

To wit, of the party s[illegible: 1+ letters]ain, or, of blood, as it is fully expressed below ver. 19, 25. Heb. from the redeemer, or, from the next [illegible: 1 word], to whom by the law belonged the right of redemption of the lands of and vindication of the injury done to, the person acceased.

(i. e.) Be not killed by the avenger meeting him in some other place.

(i. e.) Before the society or convention of Judges or Elders who were appointed in every City for the decision of criminal causes, who were 23 who were to examine the matter, and that publickly before the people, whether the murder was wilful or casual. Quest. In what City was this cause to be tried? Answ. Some say, in the City of refuge, others say, in the City in or near which the fact was committed. It seems to me it was done in both, at first in the City of refuge, as is manifest from Ios. 20. 4. but if that trial and sentence did not satisfie the avenger of blood, it was fully and finally determined in the other City, as is sufficiently evident both by comparing this place with ver. 25. and Ios. 20. 6. and from the usual and most reasonable course of Justice, which is that facts should be examined, as far as may be, in or near the places where they were committed, and where the witnesses and evidences were at hand.

Or, for judgment, i. e. to receive sentence there according to the nature of the fact.