Big Idea: Bloodshed is an offense against humankind for which God requires expiation.
Understanding the Text
The last chapters of the book of Numbers are concerned with the division of the land. Numbers 32 describes how Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh will settle in the Transjordan, and Numbers 34 describes the borders of the land of Canaan that Israel is to conquer for the nine and a half tribes who will settle there. Numbers 36, on the daughters of Zelophehad (see Num. 27:1–11), is concerned with not disturbing the tribal plan of inheritance, ensuring that Zelophehad’s inheritance will not end up in the hands of another tribe or clan.
Chapter 35 deals with the Levites’ inheritance. They are not to inherit a section of Canaan like the other tribes (Num. 18:23–24; 26:62).…