Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death; when the avenger comes upon the murderer, the avenger shall put the murderer to death. New Living Translation The victim’s nearest relative is responsible for putting the murderer to death. When they meet, the avenger must put the murderer to death. English Standard Version The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall 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. King James Bible The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. New King James Version The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. New American Standard Bible The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death; he himself shall put him to death when he meets him. NASB 1995 ‘The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death; he shall put him to death when he meets him. NASB 1977 ‘The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death; he shall put him to death when he meets him. Legacy Standard Bible The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death; he shall put him to death when he meets him. Amplified Bible The blood avenger shall himself put the murderer to death; he shall put him to death when he meets him. Christian Standard Bible The avenger of blood himself is to kill the murderer; when he finds him, he is to kill him. Holman Christian Standard Bible The avenger of blood himself is to kill the murderer; 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. Contemporary English Version by one of the victim's relatives. He will take revenge for his relative's death as soon as he finds you. English Revised Version The avenger of blood shall himself put the manslayer to death: when he meeteth him, he shall put him to death. GOD'S WORD® Translation The relative who can avenge the death must make sure a murderer is put to death. When he catches up with the murderer, he must kill him. Good News Translation The dead person's nearest relative has the responsibility for putting the murderer to death. When he finds you, he is to kill you. International Standard Version The blood avenger himself is to execute the murderer. When he meets him, the blood avenger is to put him to death. Majority Standard Bible The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him. NET Bible The avenger of blood himself must kill the murderer; when he meets him, he must kill him. New Heart English Bible The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death: when he meets him, he shall put him to death. Webster's Bible Translation The avenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. World English Bible The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death. When he meets him, he shall put him to death. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe redeemer of blood puts the murderer to death himself; in his coming against him he puts him to death. Young's Literal Translation 'The redeemer of blood himself doth put the murderer to death; in his coming against him he doth put him to death. Smith's Literal Translation The nearest relative of blood he shall kill the slayer: in his meeting him he shall kill him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe kinsman of him that was slain, shall kill the murderer: as soon as he apprehendeth him, he shall kill him. Catholic Public Domain Version The close relative of the deceased shall put to death the murderer; as soon as he apprehends him, he shall put him to death. New American Bible The avenger of blood is the one who will kill the murderer, putting the individual to death on sight. New Revised Standard Version The avenger of blood is the one who shall put the murderer to death; when they meet, the avenger of blood shall execute the sentence. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe avenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer when he meets him. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated The seeker of vengeance of blood shall kill the murderer when he meets him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death; when he meeteth him, he shall put him to death. Brenton Septuagint Translation The avenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: whensoever he shall meet him he shall slay him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Six Cities of Refuge…18If anyone has in his hand a deadly object of wood, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. 19The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him. 20Likewise, if anyone maliciously pushes another or intentionally throws an object at him and kills him,… Cross References Deuteronomy 19:12 the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. Joshua 20:3-5 so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. / When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them. / Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the manslayer into his hand, because that man killed his neighbor accidentally without prior malice. 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 24:17 And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death. Deuteronomy 19:6 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. 2 Samuel 14:7 Now the whole clan has risen up against your maidservant and said, ‘Hand over the one who struck down his brother, that we may put him to death for the life of the brother whom he killed. Then we will cut off the heir as well!’ So they would extinguish my one remaining ember by not preserving my husband’s name or posterity on the earth.” Genesis 9:6 Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind. 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.” ... Deuteronomy 19:11-13 If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, / the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. / You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you. 2 Samuel 3:27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel. Matthew 5:21 You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ Romans 13:4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. Acts 7:24 And when he saw one of them being mistreated, Moses went to his defense and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian who was oppressing him. Matthew 26:52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Revelation 13:10 “If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints. Treasury of Scripture The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meets him, he shall slay him. Numbers 35:12,21,24,27 And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment… Deuteronomy 19:6,12 Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past… Joshua 20:3,5 That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood… Jump to Previous Avenger Blood Death Life Meeteth Meets Murderer Punishment Redeemer Revenger Right Slay TakerJump to Next Avenger Blood Death Life Meeteth Meets Murderer Punishment Redeemer Revenger Right Slay TakerNumbers 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 avenger of blood In ancient Israelite society, the "avenger of blood" was typically a close relative of a murder victim. This role was part of the kinship-based justice system, where family members were responsible for ensuring justice. The Hebrew term "goel" is used, which also refers to a kinsman-redeemer, highlighting the dual role of avenging and redeeming. This concept is seen in the story of Ruth and Boaz, where Boaz acts as a redeemer. The avenger of blood was a legal figure, not acting out of personal vengeance but fulfilling a societal duty. is to put the murderer to death when he finds him he is to kill him Persons / Places / Events 1. Avenger of BloodIn ancient Israel, this was typically a close relative of a person who was killed. The avenger had the responsibility to ensure justice by pursuing the murderer. 2. Murderer The individual who has unlawfully taken the life of another person. In this context, the murderer is subject to capital punishment by the avenger of blood. 3. Cities of Refuge Although not directly mentioned in this verse, these cities are relevant to the context of Numbers 35. They were designated places where someone accused of manslaughter could seek asylum until a fair trial. 4. Israelite Community The broader community that upheld the laws given by God, including those concerning justice and retribution. 5. Mosaic Law The legal and moral code given to the Israelites through Moses, which includes the laws about murder and the role of the avenger of blood. Teaching Points Justice and ResponsibilityThe role of the avenger of blood highlights the importance of justice and the responsibility of the community to uphold it. In modern application, this can translate to supporting a fair legal system. Sanctity of Life The severe consequence for murder underscores the value God places on human life. Believers are called to respect and protect life in all its forms. Mercy and Refuge The provision of cities of refuge illustrates God's mercy and the opportunity for repentance and fair trial. Christians are encouraged to seek and offer refuge and forgiveness. God's Sovereignty in Justice While the avenger of blood had a role in ancient Israel, believers today are reminded that ultimate justice belongs to God, and they should trust Him to right wrongs. Community and Accountability The communal aspect of justice in ancient Israel serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability within the Christian community.Verse 19. - When he meeteth him, i.e., outside a city of refuge. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The avengerגֹּאֵ֣ל (gō·’êl) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman of blood הַדָּ֔ם (had·dām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed {is to put} the murderer הָרֹצֵ֑חַ (hā·rō·ṣê·aḥ) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7523: To dash in pieces, kill, to murder to death; יָמִ֖ית (yā·mîṯ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill when he finds him, בְּפִגְעוֹ־ (bə·p̄iḡ·‘ōw-) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6293: To impinge, by accident, violence, by importunity he ה֥וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is to kill him. יְמִיתֶֽנּוּ׃ (yə·mî·ṯen·nū) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill Links Numbers 35:19 NIVNumbers 35:19 NLT Numbers 35:19 ESV Numbers 35:19 NASB Numbers 35:19 KJV Numbers 35:19 BibleApps.com Numbers 35:19 Biblia Paralela Numbers 35:19 Chinese Bible Numbers 35:19 French Bible Numbers 35:19 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 35:19 The avenger of blood shall himself put (Nu Num.) |
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