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7. Manna issue 96 - Cities of Refuge 逃城

KC Tsai—Toronto, Canada 加拿大多倫多

Editor's note: 
The cities of refuge foreshadowed the protection of Christ for sinners 
(see Manna 69, "The Christ in the Book of Numbers—Part 7: Cities of Refuge"). 
This article looks at the lessons 
we can draw for the true church today 
from these cities and the process in which they were established.

編者註釋：
逃城預示了基督給罪人的保護，
（見嗎哪雜誌 69 期，“基督在民數記中的顯現——第七部分：庇護城”）。
本文來探討這個課程，
從這些城市及其建立過程，
我們可以讓今日的真教會學習。

THE NEED FOR THE CITIES 城市的需求

Retribution: Blood for Blood 報復：血債血還

After the flood, Noah and his family of eight left the ark. 
Thus began a fresh, new era in the history of humankind. 
At that point, God wanted to establish a covenant 
that would include everyone who disembarked from the ark: 
humans, birds, cattle, and beasts. 
The rainbow would be the sign of this everlasting covenant. 
God said, 
"Thus I establish My covenant with you: 
Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; 
never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth" 
(Gen 9:11). 
Under the protection of God's covenant, 
human life would never again face the threat of total annihilation by floodwaters.

洪水過後，挪亞全家八口離開了方舟。
於是，人類開始了歷史的一個全新時代。
此時，神想要設立一個約定，
可以涵蓋所有離開方舟的每一個生物，
包括人類，鳥類，牲畜和野獸。
彩虹將成為這永約的徵兆。
神說：
“11我與你們立約，
凡有血肉的，不再被洪水滅絕，
也不再有洪水毀壞地了。” 
（創 9：11）。
在神約定的保護之下，
人類的生命將永不再面臨被洪水完全毀滅的威脅。

At the same time, God conferred the blessing of protection on Noah and his sons 
(Gen 9:1), 
as well as all humankind, saying:

當時，神給挪亞和他的眾子保護的福氣
（創世記 9：1），
也賜給了全人類，說：

"Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; 
from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. 
From the hand of every man's brother I will require the life of man. 
Whoever sheds man's blood,
By man his blood shall be shed;
For in the image of God He made man." 
(Gen 9:5–6)

“5流你們血、害你們命的，
無論是獸是人，我必討他的罪，
就是向各人的弟兄也是如此。
6凡流人血的，
他的血也必被人所流，
因為神造人是照自己的形像造的。”
（創 9：5-6）

Before the flood, such retaliatory punishment for murder was not evident. 
When Cain
—the first offspring born to man
—killed his brother, Abel, God told him:

洪水之前，這種報復性處罰謀殺的行為並不明顯。
當該隱，
—人類的第一個後代，
—殺死他的兄弟亞伯時，神告訴他：

"So now you are cursed from the earth, 
which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 
When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. 
A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth." 
(Gen 4:11–12)

“11地開了口，從你手裡接受你兄弟的血。
現在你必從這地受咒詛。
12你種地，地不再給你效力；
你必流離飄蕩在地上。”
（創 4：11-12）

But God put a mark on Cain lest anyone finding him should kill him. 
In other words, Cain did not have to pay for his murderous act with his life 
(Gen 4:8–15). 
Subsequently, an even more violent man named Lamech emerged. 
Worse, he had the temerity to brag, 
"For I have killed a man for wounding me, even a young man for hurting me" 
(Gen 4:23b).

但神在該隱身上設了一個記號，
免得任何人找到他就應該殺了他。
換句話說，該隱並不需要用自已的生命來償還他的謀殺行為
（創 4：8-15）。
隨後，有一個更暴力的人拉麥出現了。
更糟糕的是，他竟然還魯莽的吹噓說：
“23壯年人傷我，我把他殺了；少年人損我，我把他害了(或作我殺壯士卻傷自己，我害幼童卻損本身。”
（創 4：23b）。

With successive generations, 
the violence worsened in intensity and pervasiveness. 
The earth was corrupt before God and filled with violence; 
all flesh had corrupted their way 
(Gen 6:11–12). 
So egregious was the state of the world that God finally declared to Noah
—the sole righteous man left
—that because the earth was filled with violence, 
He would destroy humankind and the earth 
(Gen 6:13).

接下來的世代，
暴力的強度和流行日益加劇。
在神面前地上敗壞，充滿了強暴；
凡有血氣的人都敗壞了自己的行為
（創 6：11-12）。
世界的情狀很惡劣，以至於神最終告訴挪亞
—唯一剩下的義人
—因為地上充滿了強暴，
祂將要毀滅人類和地球（創 6：13）。

Man was originally created according to God's image of true righteousness and holiness 
(Eph 4:24). 
Killing another person when not in a time of war 
(1 Kgs 2:5) 
would be contrary to such holiness and righteousness. 
Respect for life
—whether of our own or others
—is a paramount manifestation of our reverence and fear toward God. 
But after the fall of our first ancestors, man, with his sinful nature, 
had shown that he was unlikely to refrain from violence without a severe deterrent. 
Therefore, in the post-flood world and world order, 
God decreed that it would be blood for blood, and a life for a life. 
However, the holy and just God is careful 
to differentiate between deliberate and accidental killing.  

人本是按照神的形象創造的，具有真實的公義和聖潔
（弗 4：24）。
非戰爭時期殺了另一個人
(王上 2：5)
就違背了這種的聖潔和公義。
要尊重生命，
—無論是自己的還是別人的生命，
—是我們對神尊重和敬畏最重要的表現。
但我們的始祖墮落之後，人類帶著罪惡的本性，
已經顯示出，若沒有嚴厲的威懾，人是不太可能避免使用暴力的。
因此，在洪水過後的世界和世界秩序，
神規定，將以血還血，以命還命。
然而，聖潔公義的神還是謹慎的，
去區別故意殺人和意外殺人。

Refuge: Flee to Safety 避難所：逃入安全地

Three months after leaving Egypt, 
the Israelites arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai. 
Here, God gave them the Ten Commandments 
so that they would be His people among the nations, a holy nation of priests. 
Included in the laws and ordinances given to them was the instruction:

離開埃及三個月之後，
以色列人到達了西奈曠野。
在這裡，神賜給他們十誡，
讓他們在萬國中成為祂的子民，
一個聖潔的祭司國度。
在給予他們的律法和條例中，包括了這條指示：

"He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. 
However, if he did not lie in wait, 
but God delivered him into his hand, 
then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. 
But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbour, to kill him by treachery, 
you shall take him from My altar, that he may die." 
(Ex 21:12–14)
“12打人以致打死的，必要把他治死。
13人若不是埋伏著殺人，
乃是神交在他手中，
就設下一個地方，
他可以往那裡逃跑。
14人若任意用詭計殺了他的鄰舍，
就是逃到我的壇那裡，也當捉去把他治死。。”
（出 21：12-14）

God's clarification to Moses specified that manslaughter (accidental killing) 
would be treated differently from murder (premeditated killing). 
Those guilty of the former and fearing retribution could seek sanctuary.

神向摩西澄清指出，殺人者（意外殺人），
將與謀殺者（預謀殺人）區別對待。
前者犯罪且害怕報復的人，可以尋求庇護。

While Moses was the physical leader of the people, 
God said that He bore them on eagles' wings and brought them to Himself 
(Ex 19:4). 
Similarly, in the true church of God today, 
while God's ministers are the ones who physically pastor and guide His people, 
in the Spirit, 
it is God who removes all the obstacles in the believers' way and guides them back to Him. 

雖然摩西是以色列百姓地上的領袖，
但神說，祂會如鷹將他們背在翅膀上，帶來他們來歸向自己
（出 19：4）。
同樣地，在今日神的真教會中，
雖然神的服事者才是實際上牧養和引導祂子民的人，
但在靈裡，
是神除去所有信徒路上的障礙，引導他們回到祂身邊。

In the era of the kings, 
God’s altar was the ultimate refuge for those fleeing for their lives. 
But not everyone who fled there was spared. 
Adonijah, the fourth son of King David, born through Haggith, 
plotted to usurp the throne when David was old and in failing health 
(1 Kgs 1:5–9). 
However, honoring an earlier promise, David made Solomon the king instead. 
When Adonijah realized that his plan had failed, 
and his life was in danger, 
he fled to God's tabernacle and took hold of the horns of the altar. 
King Solomon sent men to bring him down from the altar 
and spared his life on this occasion 
(1 Kgs 1:50–53).
Joab was the commander who sided with Adonijah 
in the latter's failed attempt to usurp the throne. 
When Joab learned that King Solomon had stripped Abiathar, the priest, 
of his priestly duty for supporting Adonijah, 
he fled to the tabernacle of God and took hold of the horns of the altar. 
This did not save him. 
King Solomon sent men to kill Joab because the latter had murdered 
Abner (commander of the army of Israel) 
and Amasa (commander of the army of Judah). 
Since these killings were not done on a battlefield but during peacetime, 
they were cold-blooded murders
—the shedding of innocent blood 
(1 Kgs 2:5, 28–35). 
And thus, Joab had to repay with his blood.

在君王時代，
神的祭壇是那些逃命者的最終避難所。
但不是所有逃到那裡的人都能倖免。
大衛王的第四子亞多尼雅，是哈及所生，
當大衛年老體衰的時候，他圖謀篡奪王位
（王上 1：5-9）。
然而，大衛履行以前的承諾，立所羅門為王。
當亞多尼雅明白自已的計劃失敗，
他的生命受到威脅時，
他逃到神的會幕，抓住祭壇的角。
所羅門王派人把他從祭壇上帶下來，
這個情況饒了他的性命
（王上 1：50-53）。
約押是陪伴亞多尼雅的指揮官，
進行了篡位失敗的陰謀。
當約押得知所羅門王剝奪了祭司亞比亞，
免除了他的祭司職務，因他支持亞多尼雅，
他逃到神的會幕，抓住祭壇的角。
然而，這樣的行為並沒有拯救他。
所羅門王派人殺了約押，因為他謀殺了
押尼珥（以色列軍隊的指揮官），
和亞瑪撒（猶大軍隊的指揮官）。
由於這些殺戮不是在戰場上發生，而是和平時期進行的，
他們就是冷血的謀殺者
—流無辜者的血
（王上 2：5，28-35）。
因此，約押必須償還他的血債。

The example of Joab demonstrates God's righteous will. 
There is no refuge for premeditated killing. 
The murderer would still be seized and put to death even if he were to run to God's altar. 
Not only would he be without God’s protection, 
but he would be condemned to death by God’s commandment 
(Num 35:30–31). 
This was necessary because the land would be defiled 
when one killed and shed the blood of another; 
only the punitive shedding of the murderer's blood 
could redeem and cleanse the land. 
God said:

約押的例子展示了神公義的旨意。
預謀殺人是沒有避難之所的。
即使兇手跑到神的祭壇前，也會被抓住並處死。
他不僅得不到神的保護，
還會被神的誡命定罪處死
（民 35：30-31）。
這是必要的，因為土地會被玷污；
當有人殺人並流血時，
只有通過懲罰流下兇手的血，
才能贖回並潔淨土地。
神說：

"So you shall not pollute the land where you are; 
for blood defiles the land, 
and no atonement can be made for the land, 
for the blood that is shed on it except by the blood of him who shed it. 
Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, 
in the midst of which I dwell; 
for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel." 
(Num 35:33–34)

“33這樣，你們就不污穢所住之地，
因為血是污穢地的；
若有在地上流人血的，
非流那殺人者的血，那地就不得潔淨（潔淨原文作贖）。
34你們不可玷污所住之地，
就是我住在其中之地，
因為我─耶和華住在以色列人中間。”
（民 35：33-34）

Knowing that accidental killing could and would occur, 
God appointed a place for those who committed manslaughter to flee to save their lives 
(Ex 21:13). 
Although killing was a direct violation of the Ten Commandments, 
the all-righteous God mercifully provided a way of escape 
for those who accidentally committed such a serious sin. 
In our context today, God desires to save man from punishment and inevitable spiritual death, 
but man must flee according to the way God provided.

由於早就知道有誤殺可能會發生，且確實會發生，
神為那些犯了誤殺的人指定了一個可以逃命的地方
（出 21：13）。
雖然殺人就是直接違反十誡，
但完全公義的真神憐憫的預備了一條逃脫的方式，
給那些意外犯下如此重罪的人。
在我們今日的環境下，神想要拯救人類免於懲罰，及無法避免的靈魂死亡，
但人必須按照神所預備的方式逃跑。

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITIES 眾城的建立

After wandering in the wilderness for thirty-nine years, 
the Israelites arrived at the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan, 
in the fifth month of the fortieth year 
(Num 33:38, 48). 
The Lord God told Moses:

在曠野漂流了三十九年之後，
以色列人來到約旦河以東的摩押平原，
是第四十年的第五個月
（民 33：38，48）。
耶和華神對摩西說：

"Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 
'When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 
then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you, 
that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there. 
They shall be cities of refuge for you from the avenger, 
that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation in judgment. 
And of the cities which you give, you shall have six cities of refuge. 
You shall appoint three cities on this side of the Jordan, 
and three cities you shall appoint in the land of Canaan, 
which will be cities of refuge. 
These six cities shall be for refuge for the children of Israel, 
for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them, 
that anyone who kills a person accidentally may flee there." 
(Num 35:10–15)

“10你吩咐以色列人說：
你們過約但河，進了迦南地，
11就要分出幾座城，為你們作逃城，
使誤殺人的可以逃到那裡。
12這些城可以作逃避報仇人的城，
使誤殺人的不至於死，等他站在會眾面前聽審判。
13你們所分出來的城，要作六座逃城。
14在約但河東要分出三座城，
在迦南地也要分出三座城，
都作逃城。
15這六座城要給以色列人
和他們中間的外人，並寄居的，作為逃城，
使誤殺人的都可以逃到那裡。”
（民 35：10-15）

The steadfast God had promised them the institution of the cities of refuge 
at the beginning of their journey in the wilderness 
(Ex 21:12–14). 
At the end of the forty-year journey, 
God did not forget to instruct them on where to set the cities up, 
for whom to set these up, 
and how man could preserve his life through the cities of refuge.

信實的神早就應許設立逃城，
在他們的曠野旅程開始之時
（出 21：12-14）。
在四十年旅程結束時，
神沒有忘記指示他們要在那裡設立逃城，
是為誰設立這些逃城，
以及人們如何通過逃城保全性命。

Location of the Cities of Refuge 逃城的地點

After the Israelites entered the land of Canaan, 
they were led by the Commander of God's army 
(Josh 5:13–15) 
to defeat thirty-one kings in that land 
(Josh 12:24). 
They took over their land and besieged their cities. 
God's army was the people of Israel 
(Ex 12:41), 
and the Commander was God Himself. 
When Joshua was advanced in years, the Lord said to him:

以色列人進入迦南地之後，
他們是由神軍隊元帥來帶領
（書 5：13-15）
擊敗了那地的三十一位王
（書 12：24）。
百姓奪取了他們的土地，且圍困他們的城市。
神的軍隊就是以色列人
（出 12：41），
而元帥就是神本身。
當約書亞年紀老邁時，耶和華對他說：

"You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed. 
…them I will drive out from before the children of Israel; 
only divide it by lot to Israel as an inheritance, as I have commanded you." 
(Josh 13:1b, 6b)

“1b你年紀老邁了，還有許多未得之地。
6b我必在以色列人面前趕出他們去。
你只管照我所吩咐的，將這地拈鬮分給以色列人為業。”
（書 13：1b，6b）
    

At this point, the Israelites had not yet taken over all the cities and land 
God had promised to give them. 
But God's specific instructions on the division of the land 
indicate His expectation that they should have absolute faith in His words. 
As His church and army today, 
we should similarly have this absolute belief and trust in God's words 
and go forth to proclaim His faithfulness 
(Rom 3:3).

此時，以色列人還沒有佔領的所有城市和土地，
那些神所應許賜給他們的地方。
但是神特別指示如何分配土地，
表明了祂的想法，百姓對祂的話語有絕對的信心。
作為今日神的教會和軍隊，
我們同樣應該有這種絕對的信心，信靠神的話語，，
並且走出去宣揚祂的信實
（羅 3：3）。
    

Eleazer the priest, Joshua, and the leaders of the Israelite tribes 
gathered before the Lord in front of the tabernacle at Shiloh 
to cast lots to divide the land among the twelve tribes of Israel. 
Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph's two sons, 
were considered separate tribes and were thus each allotted a portion of the land. 
The Levites received no land. 
Instead, God would be the Levites' inheritance, 
and He allocated the heave offerings from the Israelites to the Levites 
(Deut 10:9; Num 18:23–24). 
The Levites could dwell in cities given by the rest of the children of Israel, 
and the latter would also give the Levites common land for their cattle, herds, and all their animals 
(Num 35:1–5). 
The Lord also said:
"Now among the cities which you will give to the Levites 
you shall appoint six cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. 
And to these you shall add forty-two cities. 
So all the cities you will give to the Levites shall be forty-eight; 
these you shall give with their common-land. 
And the cities which you will give 
shall be from the possession of the children of Israel; 
from the larger tribe you shall give many, from the smaller you shall give few. 
Each shall give some of its cities to the Levites, 
in proportion to the inheritance that each receives." 
(Num 35:6–8)

祭司以利亞撒、約書亞，以及以色列支派的首領，
在示羅集合在耶和華會幕前，
在十二支派中抽籤分配土地。
約瑟的兩個兒子以法蓮和瑪拿西，
被視為是不同的支派，因此各自分到一塊土地。
利未人沒有得到土地。
相反的，神會成為利未人的產業，
並祂從以色列人所獻的舉祭分配給利未人
（申 10：9；民 18：23-24）。
利未人可以住在以色列其他百姓所給的城中，
並且其他百姓也會給利未人公共的土地，養他們的牛群，羊群及一切牲畜
（民 35：1-5）。
耶和華還說：
“6你們給利未人的城邑，
其中當有六座逃城，使誤殺人的可以逃到那裡。
此外還要給他們四十二座城。
7你們要給利未人的城，共有四十八座，
連城帶郊野都要給他們。
8以色列人所得的地業從中要把些城邑給利未人；
人多的就多給，人少的就少給；
各支派要按所承受為業之地把城邑給利未人。”
（民 35：6-8）

Among the Levitical cities were six special cities 
that would function as a place of refuge 
where those who were eligible would be safe from harm. 
Today, 
God is our refuge and strength, 
a very present help in trouble 
(Ps 46:1). 
God bestows true peace to man through the church. 
The city of refuge prefigures the spiritual true church mentioned in the Bible. 
The True Jesus Church
—the dwelling place of God in the Spirit 
(Eph 2:22)
—is the place where man's life can be protected from sure death 
(Rom 6:23).

在利未人的城邑中，有六座特殊的城邑作為避難所，
那些符合資格的人可以在那裡得到保護，不受傷害。
今日，
1神是我們的避難所，是我們的力量，
是我們在患難中隨時的幫助
（詩篇 46：1）。
神通過教會賜予人真正的平安。
逃城預表了聖經所提到的屬靈的真教會。
真耶穌教會
—成為神藉著聖靈居住的所在。
（弗 2：22）
—成為人們生命可以從必死中得到保護的地方
（羅 6：23）。

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, 
and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, 
because all sinned
—(For until the law sin was in the world, 
but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, 
even over those who had not sinned 
according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, 
who is a type of Him who was to come.) 
(Rom 5:12–14)

12這就如罪是從一人入了世界，
死又是從罪來的；於是死就臨到眾人，
因為眾人都犯了罪。
13沒有律法之先，罪已經在世上；
但沒有律法，罪也不算罪。
14然而從亞當到摩西，死就作了王，
連那些不與亞當犯一樣罪過的，也在他的權下。
亞當乃是那以後要來之人的豫像。
（羅 5：12-14）

Although humankind
—Adam's race
—did not eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, 
all fell under the sin Adam committed and were doomed to destruction 
(Rom 5:15–21). 
The only way to survive is to seek and enter the city of refuge. 
But Adam's sin also put a barrier between man and God, 
rendering man unable to turn to the holy and Almighty God without fear. 
Thus, God became flesh 
(1 Tim 3:16), 
bore man's sins, 
and was crucified on the cross for these sins. 
This is how Jesus fulfilled the work of salvation.

雖然人類
—是亞當的後裔
—沒有吃分別善惡樹的果子，
卻因為亞當犯罪而陷入罪中，注定要滅亡
（羅 5：15-21）。
唯一的生存之法就是要尋求並進入逃城。
但是，亞當的罪還在人與神之間成為一道阻礙，
使人不能無懼面向聖潔全能的神。
因此，神成為肉身
（提前 3：16），
擔負了人的罪，
並且為這些罪而被釘在十字架上。
這就是耶穌如何完成救贖聖工的方式。

The church is the body of Christ 
(Eph 1:22–23); 
it is the stairway leading to heaven 
(Gen 28:12–19; Jn 1:51). 
Through the church, man can be reborn through water and the Spirit 
(Jn 3:3–5), 
enabling man to return to the heavenly Father. 
So the true church is the city of refuge for man 
before man's body is redeemed and returns to the heavenly Father 
(Rom 8:18–23).

教會是基督的身體
（弗 1：22-23）；  
它是通往天堂的階梯
（創 28：12-19；約 1：51）。  
通過教會，人可以藉著水和聖靈重生
（約 3：3-5），  
使人能夠回歸天父。  
因此，真教會就是人的逃城，
在身體得救贖回歸天父之前
（羅 8：18-23）。

Distribution of the Cities of Refuge 逃城的分佈

The Levites lived in forty-eight cities 
across the territories allocated to the twelve tribes of Israel. 
As the cities designated for the Levites' dwellings 
were distributed throughout the land, 
the Israelites could set up the cities of refuge in strategic locations. 
This meant that any person
—no matter where they hailed from
—could flee quickly to a city of refuge.

利未人住在四十八座城市，
是分散於分配給以色列十二支派的領土。  
由於這些城市指定分給利未人居住，
分散於這片土地上，
以色列人可以在戰略位置設立逃城。  
這代表任何人
—無論他們來自哪裡
—都可以迅速遁離衝往逃城。

“You shall prepare roads for yourself, 
and divide into three parts the territory of your land 
which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit, 
that any manslayer may flee there. 
…and if you keep all these commandments and do them, 
which I command you today, 
to love the LORD your God and to walk always in His ways, 
then you shall add three more cities for yourself besides these three, 
lest innocent blood be shed in the midst of your land 
which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, 
and thus guilt of bloodshed be upon you.” 
(Deut 19:3, 9–10)

“3要將耶和華─你神使你承受為業的地分為三段；
又要預備道路，使誤殺人的，都可以逃到那裡去。
9你若謹守遵行我今日所吩咐的這一切誡命，
愛耶和華─你的神，常常遵行他的道，
就要在這三座城之外，再添三座城，
10免得無辜之人的血流在耶和華─你神所賜你為業的地上，
流血的罪就歸於你。”
（申 19：3，9-10）

Moses specifically told the Israelites 
to prepare roads towards the cities of refuge 
and add more cities of refuge to facilitate access for manslayers. 
Preparing roads involves clearing away all obstacles on the way 
and setting up road signs and milestones 
so that those fleeing for their lives may run on the right path, 
in the right direction, and eventually enter the city of refuge. 
In the same way, the true church today must have pure doctrines 
according to the Holy Bible, the fullness of the Holy Spirit, 
and the spiritual virtues of believers 
as clear road signs for those seeking salvation, 
so that those who seek God and God's house may walk on the right path, 
recognize the true church, and yearn to enter it.

摩西特別吩咐以色列人，
要準備通往逃城的道路，
並增加更多的逃城，以方便誤殺者進入。  
準備道路包括清除路上的所有障礙物，
設置路標和里程碑，  
使那些為自已生命逃亡的人可以走在正確的道路，
朝著正確的方向，最終進入逃城。  
同樣的，今日的真教會必須有純正的教義，
根據聖經，聖靈充滿，  
和信徒的屬靈美德，作為清晰的路標，供那些尋求救恩的人參考，  
使那些尋求神和神家的靈魂可以走在正確的道路上，
認識真教會，且渴望進入其中。

So they appointed Kedesh in Galilee, in the mountains of Naphtali, 
Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim, 
and Kirjath Arba (which is Hebron) in the mountains of Judah. 
And on the other side of the Jordan, by Jericho eastward, 
they assigned Bezer in the wilderness on the plain, from the tribe of Rueben, 
Ramoth in Gilead, from the tribe of Gad, 
and Golan in Bashan, from the tribe of Manasseh. 
These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel 
and for the stranger who dwelt among them, 
that whoever killed a person accidentally might flee there, 
and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood 
until he stood before the congregation. 
(Josh 20:7–9)

7於是，以色列人在拿弗他利山地分定加利利的基低斯；
在以法蓮山地分定示劍；
在猶大山地分定基列亞巴（基列亞巴就是希伯崙）；
8又在約但河外耶利哥東，
從流便支派中，在曠野的平原，設立比悉；
從迦得支派中設立基列的拉末；
從瑪拿西支派中設立巴珊的哥蘭。
9這都是為以色列眾人和在他們中間寄居的外人所分定的地邑，
使誤殺人的都可以逃到那裡，
不死在報血仇人的手中，
等他站在會眾面前聽審判。
（書 20：7-9）

In obedience to God's instruction given through Moses, 
the Israelites divided the land to the east of Jordan 
and the west of Jordan into three parts, 
namely north, central, and south. 
A city of refuge was established at the center of each part, 
such that the distance between any point in the entire land of Israel 
from a city of refuge was less than fifty kilometers, 
which was a day's journey, 
"lest the avenger of blood, while his anger is hot, 
pursue the manslayer and overtake him, 
because the way is long, and kill him, 
though he was not deserving of death, 
since he had not hated the victim in time past" 
(Deut 19:6).

以色列人遵照神藉著摩西所吩咐的指示，
將約旦河東和約旦河西的土地分為三部分，  
即北、中、南三區。
每個區域的中心都設立了一座逃城，  
這樣整個以色列土地任何一點到逃城的距離，
都不超過五十公里，  
這相當於一天的路程，  
“6免得報血仇的，心中火熱追趕他，
因路遠就追上，將他殺死；
其實他不該死，
因為他與被殺的素無仇恨。”
（申 19：6）。

We can imagine the ensuing chaos and panic at the scene 
when a man is accidentally killed. 
The avenger of blood (e.g., the victim's relatives) 
may be so furious that they want to pursue the manslayer and kill him on the spot. 
The congregation must then adjudicate. 
If the congregation judges the killing to be accidental, 
the congregation is responsible for delivering the manslayer to the city of refuge 
(Num 35:24–25). 
While delivering the manslayer from the hand of the avenger, 
the congregation would have to protect him, 
provide him with food and water, direct his path, 
and even accompany the fugitive on his journey.

我們可以想像，當一個人意外被殺時，
現場隨之而來的混亂和恐慌。  
報血仇的人（例如，受害者的親屬），
可能會非常憤怒，想要追殺兇手，並當場殺死他。  
此時，會眾必須進行裁決。
如果會眾判斷這是意外殺人，  
那麼會眾就有責任將誤殺者送到逃城
（民 35：24-25）。  
從復仇者手中救出誤殺者的時候，
會眾將會需要保護他，  
為他準備食物和水，指引他的路，
甚至在嫌犯的路上陪伴他。

Besides the children of Israel, 
the cities were also meant to provide refuge for the strangers and the sojourners among them
—anyone who has accidentally killed a person may flee there 
(Num 35:15). 
In today's context, the church is a place of refuge for believers. 
However, we should also extend our hospitality to truth-seekers 
(strangers and sojourners). 
We, as God's chosen congregation, 
should be sincere and keen to share information on our faith 
and provide care and help for daily and spiritual needs. 
Critically, walk with such "refugees" on their journey of belief 
so that they can enter into the Lord's salvation.

除了以色列的子民之外，
這些逃城也是為了他們中間的外人和旅居者提供避難之地，  
—任何人若不慎殺人，都可以逃到那裡
（民 35：15）。  
在今天的環境下，教會是信徒的避難所。
然而，我們也應該向慕道者（外人和寄居者）伸出熱情的雙手。
我們作為神揀選的會眾，  
應當真誠急切的分享自已的信仰，
並且為了日常和屬靈的需求付出關懷和幫助。  
關鍵是，與這些“難民”在信仰的道路上同行，
使他們能夠進入主的救恩。

Some people believe that magnificent church buildings are necessary 
to glorify God and attract people. 
They thus invest vast sums of money in grand church-building projects. 
However, it is often difficult to disentangle our motivations: 
are we really doing this to glorify God or ourselves? 
In fact, there is a very thin line between such thinking 
("big is better," "beautiful churches show that God blesses and abide with us") 
and the goals of the people building the tower of Babel. 
While there is nothing wrong 
in providing good facilities and amenities for people 
to come together to worship the Lord, 
let us always examine our personal motivations 
(Prov 21:2–3) 
and strive to let our beautiful deeds of love glorify God and edify man 
(Jn 13:35).

有些人認為，宏偉的教堂建築是榮耀神和吸引大家的必要條件。
因此，他們投入大量的資金於宏偉教堂的建築計畫。
然而，我們的動機常常卻難以分辨：
我們真是為了榮耀神而這樣做，還是為了榮耀自己呢？
事實上，這種想法之間的界線是非常微薄的
例如（“大就是好“，“美麗的教堂才顯示神的祝福與我們同在”），
與人們建造巴別塔所追求的目標相似。
雖然為大家提供良好設施和便利服務可以來一起聚集敬拜主並沒有錯，
但我們應該時刻檢視自己的動機
（箴 21：2-3），
並努力讓自已美好慈愛的行為可以榮耀神且造就人
（約 13：35）。

God divided the land into six parts, setting up six cities of refuge. 
This indicates His desire for the gospel 
to be preached to all the world and for His church to be easily accessible. 
If our "cities of refuge" are few and far apart, 
those seeking peace and eternal life 
may be dampened in their determination to draw close to God 
and eventually may give up because the journey is too far.

神將土地分成六份，設立六座逃城。
這顯示他對福音的渴望，
傳向全世界，可以讓他的教會易於靠近。
如果我們的“逃城”既少又遠，
那些想要尋求平安與永生的人，
他們親近神的決心可能就會受到阻礙，
最終可能會因為路途遙遠而放棄。

Outside the Cities of Refuge 逃城之外

In the city of refuge, 
the manslayer is safe from being killed by the avenger of blood. 
To stay safe, he must not leave the city of refuge.

在逃城裡，
誤殺者可以免於被復仇者所殺害。
為了維護安全,他必須不可以離開逃城。

"But if the manslayer at any time goes outside the limits of the city of refuge where he fled, 
and the avenger of blood finds him outside the limits of his city of refuge, 
and the avenger of blood kills the manslayer, 
he shall not be guilty of blood" 
(Num 35:26–27)

“26但誤殺人的，無論甚麼時候，若出了逃城的境外，
27報血仇的在逃城境外遇見他，
將他殺了，報血仇的就沒有流血之罪。”
（民 35：26-27）

Christ is our refuge, and the church is His body 
(Heb 6:18; Eph 1:22–23). 
Today, the true church is the city of refuge that protects life. 
Once a person enters the true church, 
he must not turn apostate and leave the church. 
If a believer leaves the church, 
it is usually because his faith is immature 
(Eph 4:14), 
his faith has yet to be rooted 
(Col 2:6–7), 
he loves the world 
(2 Tim 4:10), 
or he has some disagreement with or bitterness towards other believers. 
Should we find ourselves in similar unhappy situations, 
we should not be quick to blame ministers and other believers 
or label the church as "cold and lacking love." 
Introspect to see how we ourselves may have contributed to the problems. 
Most importantly, do not allow these grievances to cause us to leave our city of refuge.    

基督是我們的避難所，而教會是祂的身體
（來 6：18；弗 1：22–23）。
今日，真教會是保護生命的避難之城。
一旦有人進入了真教會，
他必須不可轉而叛教並離開教會。
如果信徒離開了教會，
通常是因為他的信心不成熟
（弗 4：14），
他的信心尚沒有扎根
（西 2：6–7），
他愛世俗
（提後 4：10），
或者他與其他信徒之間有某種意見不合或惱恨。
若我們發現自己處於類似的不悅的情況中，
就應該不要急於責怪職務人員和其他信徒，
或將教會上標籤為“冷漠且缺乏愛心”。
應該要好好自我厲省，看看我們自己是否也與問題有所關連。
最重要的是，不要讓這些委屈導致自已離開了這座避難之城。

From the time of creation, 
the mystery of God was hidden in Himself. 
But the mystery and wisdom of God has been made known to all through His true church 
(Eph 3:9–10). 
God's true church takes an essential place in the history of salvation
—she is the bride waiting for the Lamb to come and take her as His wife. 
She is worthy of honor and submission from all man. 
Sadly, some believers overlook the honor and sanctity of the church. 
They regard the church as a platform to realize their personal ideals, 
demanding compromise from the church. 
By doing so, they are exalting themselves above the church. 
Little wonder then that some such believers eventually choose to leave the church.

從創世以來，
神的奧祕隱藏在祂自己裡面。
但透過祂的真教會，神的奧祕和智慧已經向所有人顯明了
（弗3：9-10）。
神的真教會在救恩歷史中佔有重要地位，
—她是等候羔羊來娶她為妻的新娘。
她配得所有人的榮耀和順服。
可惜，有些信徒忽視了教會的榮耀和神聖。
他們把教會當作實現個人理想的平台，
強制教會要妥協。
這樣做的結果，
就是高舉自己超乎教會之上。
難怪有些這樣的信徒最後會選擇離開教會。[2][5]

"For it is impossible, 
in the case of those who have once been enlightened, 
who have tasted the heavenly gift, 
and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 
and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 
and then have fallen away, 
to restore them again to repentance, 
since they are crucifying once again the Son of God 
to their own harm and holding him up to contempt." 
(Heb 6:4-6, ESV)[1]

“4論到那些已經蒙了光照，
嘗過天恩的滋味，
又於聖靈有分，
5並嘗過神善道的滋味，覺悟來世權能的人，
6若是離棄道理，就不能叫他們從新懊悔了。
因為他們把神的兒子重釘十字架，
明明的羞辱他。”
（來 6：4-6，ESV）[1]

Just like the manslayers who must not leave the cities of refuge, 
once a person has believed in the Lord, 
received the truth of salvation, 
and entered into the true church, 
it would be impossible for him to be restored to repentance 
if he forsakes the truth, falls away, or even attacks the church 
(Heb 6:4–8).

就像那些誤殺者必須不能離開逃城，
一旦一個人已經相信主，
接受了救恩的真理，
並進入了真教會，
如果他將就不可能可以回復悔改，
若他背棄了真理，離棄了信仰，甚至攻擊教會
（來 6：4-8）。 

If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, 
he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. 
There is sin leading to death. 
I do not say that he should pray about that. 
All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. 
(1 Jn 5:16–17)

16人若看見弟兄犯了不至於死的罪，
就當為他祈求，神必將生命賜給他；
有至於死的罪，我不說當為這罪祈求。
17凡不義的事都是罪，也有不至於死的罪。
（約壹 5：16-17）

What Is Sin Leading to Death? 致死的罪為何？

Now behold, one came and said to Him, 
"Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" 
So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? 
No one is good but One, that is, God. 
But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." 
(Mt 19:16–17)

16有一個人來見耶穌，說：
夫子（有古卷：良善的夫子），我該做甚麼善事才能得永生？
17耶穌對他說：你為甚麼以善事問我呢？
只有一位是善的（有古卷：你為什麼稱我是良善的？除了神以外，沒有一個良善的）。
你若要進入永生，就當遵守誡命。
（太 19：16-17）

Since one has to keep the commandments to enter into life, 
it implies that by intentionally violating the commandments, 
one would be committing sin, leading to death. 
If we are unable to enter into everlasting life, 
the only place we are heading towards is eternal death. 
When the young man asked Jesus which commandments he had to keep, 

既然人必須遵守誡命才能進入永生，
那就隱含著，若故意違反誡命，
就是犯罪，會導致死亡。
如果我們無法進入永生，
那麼我們唯一會去的地方就是永恆的死亡。
當年輕人問耶穌他必須遵守哪些誡命時，

Jesus answered:
" 'You shall not murder,' 
'You shall not commit adultery,' 
'You shall not steal,' 
'You shall not bear false witness,' 
'Honor your father and your mother,' 
and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' " 
(Mt 19:18–19).

“18耶穌說：
‘就是不可殺人，’
‘不可姦淫，’
‘不可偷盜，’
‘不可作假見證，’
‘19當孝敬父母，’
‘又當愛人如己。’” 」
（太 19：18-19）。

These commandments are none other than the Ten Commandments God gave to His people on Mount Sinai. 
The Lord is not teaching the people to keep half or part of the commandments. 
James, the brother of the Lord, warns us, 
"For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all" 
(Jas 2:10). 
Therefore, not serving the only true God, worshipping idols, 
taking the name of God in vain 
(including using God's name to achieve our personal agenda), 
not keeping the Sabbath 
(despising the Sabbath and consistently refusing to observe it), 
or intentionally going against the other commandments are all sins leading to death. 
The true church that is saved highly esteems the Ten Commandments 
and leads her members in striving to keep them.

這些誡命正是神在西奈山賜給祂子民的十誡。
主並沒有教導人們只遵守一半或部分的誡命。
主的兄弟雅各警告我們：
“10因為凡遵守全律法的，只在一條上跌倒，他就是犯了眾條。”
（雅 2：10）。
因此，不事奉唯一的真神，崇拜偶像，
妄稱神的名
（包括利用神的名來達成個人目的），
不守安息日
（輕視安息日並持續拒絕遵守），
或是故意違反其他的誡命，一切都是導致死亡的罪。
得救的真教會高度重視十誡，
並引導她的信徒努力遵守這些誡命。

The Lord Jesus said: 耶穌說

"Therefore I say to you, 
every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, 
but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 
Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; 
but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, 
either in this age or in the age to come." 
(Mt 12:31–32)

“31所以我告訴你們：
人一切的罪和褻瀆的話都可得赦免，
惟獨褻瀆聖靈，總不得赦免。
32凡說話干犯人子的，還可得赦免；
惟獨說話干犯聖靈的，
今世來世總不得赦免。”
（太 12：31-32）

Blasphemy against the Spirit is also a sin leading to death. 
Such sins will not be forgiven, be it in this life or the life to come. 
Blasphemy against the Spirit is the act of intentionally defaming the Holy Spirit, 
such as claiming that the work of the Holy Spirit is the manifestation of the evil spirit 
(cf. Mt 12:24). 
As the true church has the abidance of the Holy Spirit, 
her believers speak in tongues when praying, 
and there are wonders and miracles as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit. 
These must not be carelessly vilified.

褻瀆聖靈也是一種致死的罪。
這樣的罪都不會得赦免，不論是今生或是來世。
褻瀆聖靈就是故意毀謗聖靈的行為，
例如主張聖靈的工作是邪靈的顯現
（參考，太 12：24）。
因為真教會有聖靈同在，她信徒祈禱時會說靈言，
並有神蹟奇事由於聖靈的工作。
這些事情都不應輕率的毀謗。

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit also includes the act of sinning intentionally, 
sinning against one's own body, 
which is the temple of the Holy Spirit 
(1 Cor 6:18–19). 
He who wilfully sins after receiving the knowledge of the truth has 
"trampled the Son of God underfoot, 
counted the blood of the covenant 
by which he was sanctified a common thing, 
and insulted the Spirit of grace" 
(Heb 10:26–29). 
For such a person, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. 
One who has already entered the true church 
but willfully sins and remains in sin will lose the chance of salvation.

褻瀆聖靈還包括故意犯罪的行為，
得罪個人自己的身體，
而個人身體就是聖靈的殿
（林前 6：18–19）。
26因為我們得知真道以後，若故意犯罪，
“29何況人踐踏神的兒子，
將那使他成聖之約的血當作平常，
又褻慢施恩的聖靈”
（來 10：26–29）。
對於這樣的人，贖罪的祭就再沒有了。
已經進入真教會的人，
如果故意犯罪並仍在罪中，將會失去得救的機會。

LEAVING THE CITIES OF REFUGE 離開逃城

Death of the High Priest 大祭司的死

So the congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood, 
and the congregation shall return him to the city of refuge where he had fled, 
and he shall remain there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. 
…But after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession. 
(Num 35:25, 28b)

25會眾要救這誤殺人的脫離報血仇人的手，也要使他歸入逃城。
他要住在其中，直等到受聖膏的大祭司死了。
28...大祭司死了以後，誤殺人的才可以回到他所得為業之地。
（民 35：25，28b）

The avenger of blood shall not kill the manslayer after the death of the high priest; 
otherwise, he will be guilty of the sin of shedding another man's blood. 
God redeemed the lives of the manslayers with the death of the high priest, 
so that they may return to the land of their possession to start a new life, 
free from anyone seeking revenge. 
In effect, they were free from the threat of death because of the death of the high priest 
(Josh 20:6).

在大祭司死後，報仇者不得殺死殺人者；
否則，他將流別人血犯罪。
神以大祭司的死救贖了殺人者的生命，
使他們可以回到自己所繼承的土地，開始新的生活，
免於任何人來報仇。
實際上，因為大祭司的死，他們脫離了死亡的威脅。

God appointed the Old Testament high priests without an oath 
(Heb 7:21). 
If the death of a human high priest was able to redeem the lives of those deserving death, 
what more the eternal high priest who was made priest with an oath by God 
(Ps 110:4; Heb 7:22).

神並沒有宣誓任命舊約的大祭司
（來 7：21）。
如果有一位大祭司的死就能夠挽回那些應死之人的生命，
那由神所立誓而立的永恆大祭司又能多產生什麼功效呢？
（詩 110：4；來 7：22）。

The Lord Jesus has entered the Presence behind the veil, 
having become high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek 
(Heb 6:19–20); 
He is the minister of the true tabernacle in heaven erected by God 
(Heb 8:2). 
The tabernacle on earth erected by man was imperfect and impermanent. 
The high priest entered the holy of holies once a year, 
bringing with him blood to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people and himself. 
However, the sacrifices offered 
could not make him who performed the service perfect with regard to the conscience 
(Heb 9:9).

主耶穌已經進入了幔子後的聖所，
已成為永遠的祭司，根據麥基洗德的等次
（來 6：19–20）；
他是神天上所支真帳幕的執事
（來 8：2）。 
人所設立地上的帳幕即不完美且短暫。
大祭司每年進入至聖所一次，
帶著血來為百姓和自己獻上贖罪祭。
然而，所獻的祭物，
卻無法使執行服事的祭司良心上得以完全
（來 9：9）。

In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus offered His own body as the sacrifice. 
He entered the true tabernacle in heaven and fulfilled in Himself, the eternal high priest, 
all the burnt and sin offerings offered up in the tabernacle on earth. 
"Not with the blood of goats and calves, 
but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, 
having obtained eternal redemption" 
(Heb 9:12). 
Jesus Christ, the high priest, offered up one sacrifice for sins, 
and perfected forever those who are being sanctified 
(Heb 10:12–14).

在新約聖經中，主耶穌將自己的身體獻作祭品。
祂進入了天國的真帳幕，並以自己身體永恆的大祭司成為，
在地上帳幕中所有獻上的燔祭和贖罪祭。
“12並且不用山羊和牛犢的血，乃用自己的血，只一次進入聖所，成了永遠贖罪的事。”
（來 9：12）。
大祭司耶穌基督，為罪一次的獻祭，
並使那些成為潔淨的人永遠得以完全
（來 10：12–14）。

Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. 
To those who eagerly await Him for He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. 
(Heb 9:28)

28像這樣，基督既然一次被獻，擔當了多人的罪，
將來要向那等候他的人第二次顯現，並與罪無關，乃是為拯救他們。
（來 9：28）

Jesus will come again and receive us to the place He prepared, 
which is the everlasting inheritance in heaven 
(Jn 14:1–4). 
Therefore, the apostle Peter writes:

耶穌將會再來，接我們到祂所預備的地方，
那是天上的永恆產業
（約 14：1–4）。
因此，使徒彼得寫道：

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope 
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 
to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled 
and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. 
(1 Pet 1:3–4)

3願頌讚歸與我們主耶穌基督的父神！
他曾照自己的大憐憫，藉耶穌基督從死裡復活，
重生了我們，叫我們有活潑的盼望，
4可以得著不能朽壞、不能玷污、
不能衰殘、為你們存留在天上的基業。
（彼前 1：3–4）

Just as those who were in the city of refuge received grace, 
those who are in the true church today 
have a living hope and are waiting for the redemption of their bodies 
(Rom 8:18–23; 1 Cor 15:35–54). 
We are going to receive an inheritance among all those who are sanctified 
(Acts 20:32). 
This inheritance is reserved in the spirit, in heaven, 
for those who have repented, believed in the Lord, and been baptized; 
and receiving the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of their future inheritance 
(Eph 1:14). 
May we always treasure and preserve this blessing.

正如那些逃城的人得到了恩典，
今日在真教會裡的人，
也有存活的盼望，並等待著自已身體的救贖
（羅 8：18-23；林前 15：35-54）。
在所有被成聖潔淨的人中，我們將會領受產業
（使 20：32）。
這產業存留在靈界，在天國，
為那些已經悔改，信主並受洗的人預備的；
而得到聖靈是他們將來產業的憑據
（弗 1：14）。
願我們永遠珍惜並保守這份福氣。

[1] The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. 
ESVR Text Edition: 2016. 
Copyright c 2001 by Crossway Bibles, 
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

[1]《聖經》，英文標準版（English Standard Version, ESV）。
ESVR 修訂版： 2016 年。
是由 Crossway 聖經團體 2001 年版權所有，
由 Good News Publishers 出版社的出版事工。

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