King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
because he must stay in his city of refuge until the death of the cohen hagadol. But after the death of the cohen hagadol the killer may return to the land he owns.
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.
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Because he should have remained{H3427} in the city{H5892} of his refuge{H4733} until the death{H4194} of the high{H1419} priest{H3548}: but after{H310} the death{H4194} of the high{H1419} priest{H3548} the slayer{H7523} shall return{H7725} into the land{H776} of his possession{H272}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Hebrews 10:39
- But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Hebrews 6:4
- For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Hebrews 6:8
- But that which beareth thorns and briers [is] rejected, and [is] nigh unto cursing; whose end [is] to be burned.
Hebrews 3:14
- For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Hebrews 9:11
- 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;
Hebrews 9:12
- Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].
Acts 27:31
- Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 35:28
**Themes:**
- Sanctity of Life: Numbers 35:28 is part of a larger passage that deals with the establishment of cities of refuge for individuals who have committed unintentional manslaughter. This reflects the value placed on human life in the Israelite legal system.
- Justice and Mercy: The verse highlights a balance between justice for the victim and mercy for the perpetrator. The accused is given a chance to live in safety until a natural event (the death of the high priest) occurs, signaling a time of communal atonement and release.
- Legal Procedure: The text outlines a clear legal process for dealing with manslaughter, emphasizing the importance of due process and the rule of law in ancient Israelite society.
**Historical Context:**
- The Era of Moses: This legislation is part of the laws given to the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. It is attributed to the time of Moses, who is traditionally considered the author/recipient of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible).
- Establishment of Cities of Refuge: God commanded the Israelites to designate six cities as places of refuge to which someone who had accidentally killed another could flee. These cities provided asylum and protected the accused from avengers of blood (relatives of the deceased who might seek retribution).
- The Role of the High Priest: The high priest's tenure was significant in determining the length of the manslaughterer's exile. His death signified the end of the period of refuge and allowed the individual to return home without fear of revenge.
- Social Order: The law aimed to prevent blood feuds and maintain social stability by providing a structured way to deal with unintentional killings.
In summary, Numbers 35:28 reflects the themes of valuing life, balancing justice with mercy, and establishing clear legal processes within the historical context of the Israelites' preparation to inhabit Canaan, under the leadership of Moses, with specific instructions regarding cities of refuge and the role of the high priest.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3427
There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשַׁב
Transliteration: yâshab
Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. - 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. - 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. - Strong's Number: H4194
There are 155 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָוֶת
Transliteration: mâveth
Pronunciation: maw'-veth
Description: from מוּת; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin; (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). - Strong's Number: H1419
There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּדוֹל
Transliteration: gâdôwl
Pronunciation: gaw-dole'
Description: or גָּדֹל; (shortened) from גָּדַל; great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent; [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. - Strong's Number: H3548
There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּהֵן
Transliteration: kôhên
Pronunciation: ko-hane'
Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. - Strong's Number: H310
There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחַר
Transliteration: ʼachar
Pronunciation: akh-ar'
Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. - 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). - Strong's Number: H7725
There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׁוּב
Transliteration: shûwb
Pronunciation: shoob
Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H272
There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲחֻזָּה
Transliteration: ʼăchuzzâh
Pronunciation: akh-ooz-zaw'
Description: feminine passive participle from אָחַז; something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land); possession.