Numbers 35:12 (BSB)

You are to have these cities as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly.

From Numbers 35. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Numbers 35:12

• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Numbers 35:12: And they shall be unto you cities of refuge from the avenger,.... Or near kinsman; for as the right of redemption of an estate that was mortgaged belonged to such an one, so of revenging the blood of any one that was killed: that the manslayer die not; by the hand of the avenger, who in the heat of his passion would, could he come...
• Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on Numbers 35:12: And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment. (d) Meaning, from the next of the kindred, who ought to pursue the cause.
• Adam Clarke (Methodist), Clarke's Commentary on the Bible on Numbers 35:12: Until he stand before the congregation in judgment - So one of these cities was not a perpetual asylum; It was only a pro tempore refuge, till the case could be fairly examined by the magistrates in the presence of the people, or the elders their representatives; and this was done in the city or place where he had done the murder, Jos 20:4, Jos 20:6.
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Numbers 35:12-15: Num 35:12-15 These towns were to serve for a refuge from the avenger of blood, that the manslayer might not die before he had taken his trial in the presence of the congregation. The number of cities was fixed at six, three on the other side of the Jordan, and three on this side in the land of Canaan, to which both the children of...