Numbers 35:27

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:

Complete Jewish Bible:

and the next-of-kin avenger finds him outside the limits of his city of refuge, and the avenger kills the killer, he will not be guilty of the man's blood;

Berean Standard Bible:

and the avenger of blood finds him outside of his city of refuge and kills him, then the avenger will not be guilty of bloodshed

American Standard Version:

and the avenger of blood find him without the border of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood slay the manslayer; he shall not be guilty of blood,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the revenger^{H1350} of blood^{H1818} find^{H4672} him without^{H2351} the borders^{H1366} of the city^{H5892} of his refuge^{H4733}, and the revenger^{H1350} of blood^{H1818} kill^{H7523} the slayer^{H7523}; he shall not be guilty of blood^{H1818}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 35:27

**Themes:**
- Sanctuary and Justice: The verse addresses the concept of cities of refuge, which were designated as safe havens for individuals who had committed unintentional manslaughter. The theme revolves around the balance between providing sanctuary and administering justice.
- Blood Vengeance: It deals with the practice of blood vengeance, where the nearest relative of a murder victim had the right to kill the person responsible for the death. This system was regulated to prevent uncontrolled vendettas.
- Legal Boundaries: The verse emphasizes the importance of legal boundaries, as the protection offered by the city of refuge was contingent upon the manslayer remaining within its confines.

**Historical Context:**
- The verse is part of the book of Numbers, which details the Israelites' journey from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab, on the border of the Promised Land. It includes laws and regulations given by God to Moses for the Israelite community.
- The establishment of cities of refuge was part of the legal code given to the Israelites to manage various aspects of communal life, including responses to homicide. This system likely reflected some contemporary Ancient Near Eastern legal practices, with adaptations to align with Israelite religious and moral principles.
- The cities of refuge were intended to protect the accused from avengers of blood (go'el haddam) until a fair trial could be conducted. If the manslayer was found guilty of premeditated murder, the avenger could carry out the death penalty, but if it was accidental, the manslayer was protected as long as they remained in the city.
- The historical context suggests that these laws were designed to prevent excessive retaliation and to ensure that justice was carried out in a controlled and equitable manner, reflecting a developing legal system among the ancient Israelites.

*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: H4672
   There are 425 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָצָא
   Transliteration: mâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: maw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2351
   There are 159 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חוּץ
   Transliteration: chûwts
   Pronunciation: khoots
   Description: or (shortened) חֻץ; (both forms feminine in the plural) from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors; abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1366
   There are 196 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גְּבוּל
   Transliteration: gᵉbûwl
   Pronunciation: gheb-ool'
   Description: or גְּבֻל; (shortened) from גָּבַל; properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed; border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5892
   There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עִיר
   Transliteration: ʻîyr
   Pronunciation: eer
   Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4733
   There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִקְלָט
   Transliteration: miqlâṭ
   Pronunciation: mik-lawt'
   Description: from קָלַט in the sense of taking in; an asylum (as a receptacle); refuge.
   
8. 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).