Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The accused must stay in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest; only after the death of the high priest may they return to their own property. New Living Translation The slayer should have stayed inside the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest, the slayer may return to his own property. English Standard Version For he must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest, but after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession. Berean Standard Bible because the manslayer must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Only after the death of the high priest may he return to the land he owns. King James Bible 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. New King James Version because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession. New American Standard Bible because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the one who committed manslaughter may return to the land of his property. NASB 1995 because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer shall return to the land of his possession. NASB 1977 because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer shall return to the land of his possession. Legacy Standard Bible because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer shall return to the land of his possession. Amplified Bible because the offender should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the high priest’s death the offender shall return to the land of his possession. Christian Standard Bible for the one who killed a person was supposed to live in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Only after the death of the high priest may the one who has killed a person return to the land he possesses. Holman Christian Standard Bible for the one who killed a person was supposed to live in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Only after the death of the high priest may the one who has killed a person return to the land he possesses. American Standard Version because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the manslayer shall return into the land of his possession. Contemporary English Version You must stay inside the town until the high priest dies; only then can you go back home. English Revised Version because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the manslayer shall return into the land of his possession. GOD'S WORD® Translation Accused murderers must stay in their city of refuge until the death of the chief priest. They may go back to their own property only after his death. Good News Translation Any of you guilty of manslaughter must remain in the city of refuge until the death of the High Priest, but after that you may return home. International Standard Version The inadvertent killer is to live in the town of refuge until the High Priest dies. After the death of the High Priest, the inadvertent killer is to return to the land of his inheritance. Majority Standard Bible because the manslayer must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Only after the death of the high priest may he return to the land he owns. NET Bible because the slayer should have stayed in his town of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest, the slayer may return to the land of his possessions. New Heart English Bible because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the manslayer shall return into the land of his possession. Webster's Bible Translation 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. World English Bible because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest, the man slayer shall return into the land of his possession. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor he dwells in the city of his refuge until the death of the chief priest; and after the death of the chief priest the manslayer turns back to the city of his possession. Young's Literal Translation for in the city of his refuge he doth dwell till the death of the chief priest; and after the death of the chief priest doth the man-slayer turn back unto the city of his possession. Smith's Literal Translation For in the city of his refuge he shall dwell till the death of the great priest; and after the death of the great priest the slayer shall turn back to the land of his possession. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor the fugitive ought to have stayed in the city until the death of the high priest: and after he is dead, then shall the manslayer return to his own country. Catholic Public Domain Version For the fugitive ought to have resided in the city, until the death of the high priest. Then, after he is dead, the one who has killed shall be returned to his own land. New American Bible for the homicide was required to stay in the city of asylum until the death of the high priest. Only after the death of the high priest may the homicide return to the land of the homicide’s possession. New Revised Standard Version For the slayer must remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest; but after the death of the high priest the slayer may return home. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBecause 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 to the land of his possession. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because this one should dwell in the city of refuge until the Great Priest would die, and when the Great Priest has died, the killer will return to the land of his inheritance. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917because he must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest; but after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return into the land of his possession. Brenton Septuagint Translation For he ought to have remained in the city of refuge till the high-priest died; and after the death of the high-priest the slayer shall return to the land of his possession. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Six Cities of Refuge…27and the avenger of blood finds him outside of his city of refuge and kills him, then the avenger will not be guilty of bloodshed 28because the manslayer must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Only after the death of the high priest may he return to the land he owns. 29This will be a statutory ordinance for you for the generations to come, wherever you live.… Cross References Joshua 20:6 He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the manslayer may return to his own home in the city from which he fled.” Deuteronomy 19:4-6 Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him: / If he goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut timber and swings his axe to chop down a tree, but the blade flies off the handle and strikes and kills his neighbor, he may flee to one of these cities to save his life. / Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the manslayer in a rage, overtake him if the distance is great, and strike him dead though he did not deserve to die, since he did not intend any harm. 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 25:10 So you are to consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty in the land for all its inhabitants. It shall be your Jubilee, when each of you is to return to his property and to his clan. 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.” ... 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. Acts 17:31 For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” Romans 6:9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. / I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 2 Samuel 14:14 For we will surely die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life, but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him. Ezekiel 18:32 For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live! 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. Treasury of Scripture 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. he should John 15:4-6 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me… Acts 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. Acts 27:31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. after the death Hebrews 9:11,12,15-17 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; … Jump to Previous Accused Chief City Death Dwell High Inside Life Manslayer Man-Slayer Ordered Possession Priest Property Refuge Safe Slayer Taker TurnJump to Next Accused Chief City Death Dwell High Inside Life Manslayer Man-Slayer Ordered Possession Priest Property Refuge Safe Slayer Taker TurnNumbers 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 because the manslayer must remain in his city of refuge The concept of cities of refuge is introduced in Numbers 35 as a provision for those who have committed unintentional manslaughter. These cities served as a sanctuary where the accused could flee to avoid the avenger of blood, a family member seeking retribution. The requirement for the manslayer to remain in the city underscores the seriousness of taking a life, even unintentionally, and the need for justice tempered with mercy. This reflects the balance between justice and grace found throughout Scripture, as seen in Exodus 21:13 and Deuteronomy 19:4-6. until the death of the high priest Only after the death of the high priest may he return to the land he owns Persons / Places / Events 1. ManslayerAn individual who has unintentionally killed another person. In the context of Numbers 35, this person seeks refuge to avoid revenge from the victim's family. 2. City of Refuge Designated cities where individuals who committed unintentional manslaughter could seek asylum. These cities provided protection from the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted. 3. High Priest The spiritual leader of Israel, whose death marked the end of the manslayer's exile in the city of refuge. The high priest's death symbolized a form of atonement and release for the manslayer. 4. Avenger of Blood A family member of the deceased who sought justice for the killing. The city of refuge protected the manslayer from this person until the high priest's death. 5. Land of Inheritance The property or land that the manslayer could return to after the high priest's death, signifying a restoration of their place in the community. Teaching Points God's Provision for Justice and MercyThe cities of refuge illustrate God's balance of justice and mercy, providing protection for those who have sinned unintentionally while ensuring a fair trial. Symbolism of the High Priest The death of the high priest as a release for the manslayer symbolizes Christ's atoning sacrifice, which provides ultimate freedom and forgiveness for believers. Restoration and Community The return to one's land after the high priest's death signifies restoration and reintegration into the community, reflecting God's desire for reconciliation and peace among His people. The Importance of Intent The distinction between intentional and unintentional sin highlights the importance of understanding intent in God's justice system, encouraging believers to examine their hearts and motives. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew becauseכִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction [the manslayer] must remain יֵשֵׁ֔ב (yê·šêḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry in his city בְעִ֤יר (ḇə·‘îr) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 5892: Excitement of refuge מִקְלָטוֹ֙ (miq·lā·ṭōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4733: Refuge, asylum until עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while the death מ֖וֹת (mō·wṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin of the high הַגָּדֹ֑ל (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 Only after וְאַחֲרֵ֥י (wə·’a·ḥă·rê) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 310: The hind or following part 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 may [he] הָרֹצֵ֔חַ (hā·rō·ṣê·aḥ) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7523: To dash in pieces, kill, to murder return יָשׁוּב֙ (yā·šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the land אֶ֖רֶץ (’e·reṣ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 776: Earth, land he owns. אֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ׃ (’ă·ḥuz·zā·ṯōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 272: Something seized, a possession Links Numbers 35:28 NIVNumbers 35:28 NLT Numbers 35:28 ESV Numbers 35:28 NASB Numbers 35:28 KJV Numbers 35:28 BibleApps.com Numbers 35:28 Biblia Paralela Numbers 35:28 Chinese Bible Numbers 35:28 French Bible Numbers 35:28 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 35:28 Because he should have remained in his (Nu Num.) |
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