Numbers 35:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.

Complete Jewish Bible:

The next-of-kin avenger is to put the murderer to death himself - upon meeting him, he is to put him to death.

Berean Standard Bible:

The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him.

American Standard Version:

The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death: when he meeteth him, he shall put him to death.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

The revenger^{H1350} of blood^{H1818} himself shall slay^{H4191} the murderer^{H7523}: when he meeteth^{H6293} him, he^{H1931} shall slay^{H4191} him.

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Commentary for Numbers 35:19

Numbers 35:19 is part of the legal code given to the Israelites by God through Moses, which includes instructions for establishing cities of refuge. In the context of ancient Israel, the concept of a "revenger of blood" (often translated as "blood avenger" or "next of kin") refers to a family member responsible for avenging the death of a relative by killing the person who caused it. This practice was rooted in the belief that bloodshed polluted the land and that justice must be carried out to atone for such a crime.

The verse specifically addresses the case of intentional, premeditated murder. It stipulates that the blood avenger is personally responsible for executing the murderer when the two come face to face. This directive was meant to ensure swift and certain retribution for the crime, deterring potential murderers and maintaining social order within the community. The principle of lex talionis, or "an eye for an eye," underlies this command, reflecting a commitment to proportional justice.

In its historical context, Numbers 35:19 served to regulate the practice of blood vengeance by confining it to cases of murder and by ensuring that the act of vengeance was carried out in a controlled and judicial manner, rather than allowing for unchecked feuding between families or tribes. This verse is part of a broader legal framework found in the Pentateuch, which sought to balance the need for justice with the preservation of community harmony and the sanctity of life.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1350
   There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּאַל
   Transliteration: gâʼal
   Pronunciation: gaw-al'
   Description: a primitive root, to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), i.e.; to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow, etc.); [idiom] in any wise, [idiom] at all, avenger, deliver, (do, perform the part of near, next) kinsfolk(-man), purchase, ransom, redeem(-er), revenger.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1818
   There are 295 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּם
   Transliteration: dâm
   Pronunciation: dawm
   Description: from דָּמַם (compare אָדַם); blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood); blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4191
   There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוּת
   Transliteration: mûwth
   Pronunciation: mooth
   Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7523
   There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָצַח
   Transliteration: râtsach
   Pronunciation: raw-tsakh'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. kill (a human being), especially to murder; put to death, kill, (man-) slay(-er), murder(-er).
   
5. Strong's Number: H6293
   There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּגַע
   Transliteration: pâgaʻ
   Pronunciation: paw-gah'
   Description: a primitive root; to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity; come (betwixt), cause to entreat, fall (upon), make intercession, intercessor, intreat, lay, light (upon), meet (together), pray, reach, run.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1931
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הוּא
   Transliteration: hûwʼ
   Pronunciation: hoo
   Description: of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is הִיא; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular; he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are; he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who.