Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The assembly must protect the one accused of murder from the avenger of blood and send the accused back to the city of refuge to which they fled. The accused must stay there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. New Living Translation The community must protect the slayer from the avenger and must escort the slayer back to live in the city of refuge to which he fled. There he must remain until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the sacred oil. English Standard Version And the congregation shall rescue the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge to which he had fled, and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. Berean Standard Bible The assembly is to protect the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge to which he fled, and he must live there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. King James Bible And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil. New King James Version 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. New American Standard Bible And the congregation shall save the one who committed manslaughter from the hand of the blood avenger, and the congregation shall return him to his city of refuge to which he fled; and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. NASB 1995 ‘The congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the blood avenger, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge to which he fled; and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. NASB 1977 ‘And the congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the blood avenger, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge to which he fled; and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. Legacy Standard Bible And the congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the blood avenger, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge to which he fled; and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. Amplified Bible The congregation shall rescue the offender from the hand of the blood avenger and return him to his city of refuge, [the place] to which he had escaped; and he shall live there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the sacred oil. Christian Standard Bible The assembly is to protect the one who kills someone from the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge he fled to, and he must live there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. Holman Christian Standard Bible The assembly is to protect the one who kills someone from the hand of the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge he fled to, and he must live there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.” American Standard Version and the congregation shall deliver the manslayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall dwell therein until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. Contemporary English Version If they decide that you are innocent, you will be protected from the victim's relative and sent to stay in one of the Safe Towns until the high priest dies. English Revised Version and the congregation shall deliver the manslayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall dwell therein until the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil. GOD'S WORD® Translation [If you are innocent,] the community must protect you from that relative. They must take you back to the city of refuge you fled to. You must live there until the death of the chief priest who was anointed with the holy oil. Good News Translation You are guilty only of manslaughter, and the community is to rescue you from the dead person's relative, and they are to return you to the city of refuge to which you had escaped. You must live there until the death of the man who is then High Priest. International Standard Version The community is to release the inadvertent killer from the blood avenger and return him to the town of refuge where he had fled. He is to live there until the High Priest dies, who will have anointed him with holy oil. Majority Standard Bible The assembly is to protect the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge to which he fled, and he must live there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. NET Bible The community must deliver the slayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the community must restore him to the town of refuge to which he fled, and he must live there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the consecrated oil. New Heart English Bible and the congregation shall deliver the manslayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, where he was fled: and he shall dwell in it until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. Webster's Bible Translation And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he had fled: and he shall abide in it to the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. World English Bible The congregation shall deliver the man slayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, where he had fled. He shall dwell therein until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the congregation has delivered the manslayer out of the hand of the redeemer of blood, and the congregation has caused him to return to the city of his refuge, to where he has fled, and he has dwelt in it until the death of the chief priest who has been anointed with the holy oil. Young's Literal Translation 'And the company have delivered the man-slayer out of the hand of the redeemer of blood, and the company have caused him to turn back unto the city of his refuge, whither he hath fled, and he hath dwelt in it till the death of the chief priest, who hath been anointed with the holy oil. Smith's Literal Translation And the assembly delivered the slayer out of the hand of the nearest relation of blood, and the assembly turned him back to the city of his refuge where he fled there: and he dwelt in it till the death of the great priest who anointed him with the holy oil. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe innocent shall be delivered from the hand of the revenger, and shall be brought back by sentence into the city, to which he had fled, and he shall abide there until the death of the high priest, that is anointed with the holy oil. Catholic Public Domain Version then the innocent one shall be freed from the hand of the revenger, and he shall be returned by this judgment into the city to which he had fled, and he shall stay there until the high priest, who has been anointed with the holy oil, dies. New American Bible The community will deliver the homicide from the avenger of blood and the community will return the homicide to the city of asylum where the latter had fled; and the individual will stay there until the death of the high priest who has been anointed with sacred oil. New Revised Standard Version and the congregation shall rescue the slayer from the avenger of blood. Then the congregation shall send the slayer back to the original city of refuge. The slayer shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the congregation shall deliver the slayer from the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall send him to the city of refuge, to which he had fled; and he shall dwell in it until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the assembly shall save the killer from the seeker of vengeance of blood and the assembly shall send him to a city of refuge where he had fled to it and he shall dwell in it until the Great Priest will die who is anointed with the oil of Holiness. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and the congregation shall deliver the manslayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, whither he was fled; and he shall dwell therein until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the congregation shall rescue the slayer from the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, whither he fled for refuge; and he shall dwell there till the death of the high-priest, whom they anointed with the holy oil. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Six Cities of Refuge…24then the congregation must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances. 25The assembly is to protect the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge to which he fled, and he must live there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. 26But if the manslayer ever goes outside the limits of the city of refuge to which he fled… Cross References Joshua 20:1-6 Then the LORD said to Joshua, / “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, / so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. ... Deuteronomy 19:1-13 When the LORD your God has cut off the nations whose land He is giving you, and when you have driven them out and settled in their cities and houses, / then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess. / You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities. ... Exodus 21:12-14 Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. / If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. / But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death. Leviticus 16:29-34 This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you shall humble yourselves and not do any work—whether the native or the foreigner who resides among you— / because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD. / It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute. ... Hebrews 6:18 Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged. Joshua 21:13-19 So to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave these cities, together with their pasturelands: Hebron, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Libnah, / Jattir, Eshtemoa, / Holon, Debir, ... 1 Kings 2:28-34 When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ... Acts 7:58-60 They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. / While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” / Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Romans 3:25 God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. Psalm 46:1 For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Isaiah 4:5-6 Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud of smoke by day and a glowing flame of fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a canopy, / a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and the rain. Matthew 5:21-22 You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. John 8:3-11 The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them / and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. / In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?” ... Hebrews 9:11-14 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. / He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption. / For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, ... Treasury of Scripture And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, where he was fled: and he shall abide in it to the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil. abide in it Numbers 35:28 Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession. Joshua 20:6 And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled. Romans 3:24-26 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: … anointed Exodus 29:7 Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him. Leviticus 4:3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering. Leviticus 8:12 And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him. Jump to Previous Abide Accused Anointed Assembly Avenger Blood City Death Deliver Dwell Hand High Holy Live Manslayer Murder Oil Priest Protect Refuge Restore Revenger Slayer Therein WhitherJump to Next Abide Accused Anointed Assembly Avenger Blood City Death Deliver Dwell Hand High Holy Live Manslayer Murder Oil Priest Protect Refuge Restore Revenger Slayer Therein WhitherNumbers 35 1. Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof6. Six of them are to be cities of refuge 9. The laws of murder and manslaughter 31. No satisfaction for murder The assembly In the context of ancient Israel, "the assembly" refers to the congregation or the community of Israelites, often represented by elders or leaders who were responsible for making judicial decisions. The Hebrew word used here is "עֵדָה" (edah), which signifies a gathering or congregation. This assembly was tasked with maintaining justice and order according to God's laws. Historically, this reflects the communal nature of Israelite society, where decisions were made collectively, emphasizing the importance of community and shared responsibility in upholding God's commandments. must protect the manslayer from the avenger of blood and restore him to the city of refuge to which he fled until the death of the high priest Persons / Places / Events 1. ManslayerAn individual who has unintentionally killed another person. In the context of Numbers 35, this person seeks refuge to avoid retribution from the avenger of blood. 2. Avenger of Blood A family member of the deceased who seeks justice or retribution for the killing. This role was part of the ancient Near Eastern customs of blood vengeance. 3. City of Refuge Designated cities where individuals who committed unintentional manslaughter could seek asylum. These cities provided protection from the avenger of blood. 4. Assembly The community or congregation responsible for ensuring justice and protection for the manslayer. They play a judicial role in determining the manslayer's fate. 5. High Priest The religious leader anointed with holy oil, whose death marks the end of the manslayer's required stay in the city of refuge. The high priest's death symbolizes a form of atonement and release. Teaching Points God's Justice and MercyThe provision of cities of refuge demonstrates God's balance of justice and mercy. While justice is served by protecting the manslayer, mercy is shown by providing a place of safety. The Role of Community The assembly's responsibility to protect the manslayer highlights the importance of community in administering justice and care. It reminds us of our duty to support and protect those in need. Symbolism of the High Priest The high priest's death as a release for the manslayer symbolizes Christ's atoning sacrifice. Just as the high priest's death brought freedom, Christ's death brings spiritual freedom and forgiveness. Sanctity of Life The laws surrounding manslaughter and refuge underscore the value God places on human life and the seriousness of taking a life, even unintentionally. Spiritual Refuge in Christ The cities of refuge foreshadow the refuge we find in Christ. Just as the manslayer found safety in the city, we find spiritual safety and forgiveness in Jesus.(25) And he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest.--Although the death which had been occasioned was accidental, not intentional, nevertheless the shedding of blood demanded expiation. The manslayer was, therefore, required to remain an exile from his own home until the death of the high priest who had been anointed with the holy oil. As the high priest, by reason of the anointing with the holy oil, became qualified to act as the representative of the nation, and in that capacity acted as their mediator on the great day of atonement, so the death of the high priest assumed a symbolical or representative character, and became a type of that of the great High Priest who, through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without spot to God, and who by His death made a propitiation for the sins of the world. Thus, as by the death of the Jewish high priest a typical atonement was made for the sin of the Israelitish manslayer, and he was restored thereupon to "the land of his possession" amongst his brethren, so by the death of our High Priest they who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them, are restored to the inheritance which had been forfeited by sin, and made joint heirs with Christ of those mansions which He has gone before to prepare for those who love Him.Verse 25. - The congregation (עֵדָה) shall restore him to the city of his refuge. It is perfectly plain from this (and from Joshua 20:6) that the general assembly of all Israel was to summon both homicide and avenger before them with their witnesses, and, if they found the accused innocent, were to send him back under safe escort to the city in which he had taken refuge. He shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest. No doubt his family might join him in his exile, and his life might be fairly happy as well as safe within certain narrow limits; but under ordinary circumstances he must forfeit much and risk more by his enforced absence from home and land. It is not easy to see why the death of the high priest should have set the fugitive free from the law of vengeance, except as foreshadowing the death of Christ. No similar significance is anywhere else attributed to the death of the high priest; and it was rather in its unbroken continuance than in its recurring interruption that the priesthood of Aaron typified that of the Redeemer. To see anything of a vicarious or satisfactory character in the death of the high priest seems to be introducing an element quite foreign to the symbolism of the Old Testament. The stress, however, which is laid upon the fact of his decease (cf. verse 28), and the solemn notice of his having been anointed with the holy oil, seem to point unmistakably to something in his official and consecrated character which made it right that the rigour of the law should die with him. What the Jubilee was to the debtor who had lost his property, that the death of the high priest was to the homicide who had lost his liberty. If it was the case, as commonly believed, that all blood feuds were absolutely terminated by the death of the high priest, might this not be because the high priest, as chief minister of the law of God, was himself the goel of the whole nation? When he died all processes of' vengeance lapsed, because they had really been commenced in his name. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The assemblyהָעֵדָ֜ה (hā·‘ê·ḏāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage is to protect וְהִצִּ֨ילוּ (wə·hiṣ·ṣî·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver the manslayer הָרֹצֵ֗חַ (hā·rō·ṣê·aḥ) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7523: To dash in pieces, kill, to murder from the hand מִיַּד֮ (mî·yaḏ) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3027: A hand of the avenger גֹּאֵ֣ל (gō·’êl) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman of blood. הַדָּם֒ (had·dām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed Then the assembly הָֽעֵדָ֔ה (hā·‘ê·ḏāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage will return וְהֵשִׁ֤יבוּ (wə·hê·šî·ḇū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again him to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the city עִ֥יר (‘îr) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 5892: Excitement of refuge מִקְלָט֖וֹ (miq·lā·ṭōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4733: Refuge, asylum to which he fled, נָ֣ס (nās) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away and he must live וְיָ֣שַׁב (wə·yā·šaḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry there until עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while the death מוֹת֙ (mō·wṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin of the high הַגָּדֹ֔ל (hag·gā·ḏōl) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent priest, הַכֹּהֵ֣ן (hak·kō·hên) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3548: Priest who אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that was anointed מָשַׁ֥ח (mā·šaḥ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4886: To rub with oil, to anoint, to consecrate, to paint with the holy הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃ (haq·qō·ḏeš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity oil. בְּשֶׁ֥מֶן (bə·še·men) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8081: Grease, liquid, richness Links Numbers 35:25 NIVNumbers 35:25 NLT Numbers 35:25 ESV Numbers 35:25 NASB Numbers 35:25 KJV Numbers 35:25 BibleApps.com Numbers 35:25 Biblia Paralela Numbers 35:25 Chinese Bible Numbers 35:25 French Bible Numbers 35:25 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 35:25 And the congregation shall deliver the manslayer (Nu Num.) |
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