Numbers 35:24
New International Version
the assembly must judge between the accused and the avenger of blood according to these regulations.

New Living Translation
If this should happen, the community must follow these regulations in making a judgment between the slayer and the avenger, the victim’s nearest relative:

English Standard Version
then the congregation shall judge between the manslayer and the avenger of blood, in accordance with these rules.

Berean Standard Bible
then the congregation must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances.

King James Bible
Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:

New King James Version
then the congregation shall judge between the manslayer and the avenger of blood according to these judgments.

New American Standard Bible
then the congregation shall judge between the one who fatally struck the victim and the blood avenger in accordance with these ordinances.

NASB 1995
then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the blood avenger according to these ordinances.

NASB 1977
then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the blood avenger according to these ordinances.

Legacy Standard Bible
then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the blood avenger according to these legal judgments.

Amplified Bible
then the congregation shall judge between the offender and the blood avenger according to these ordinances.

Christian Standard Bible
the assembly is to judge between the person who kills someone and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the assembly is to judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances.

American Standard Version
then the congregation shall judge between the smiter and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances;

English Revised Version
then the congregation shall judge between the smiter and the avenger of blood according to these judgments:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the community must use these rules in order to decide if you [are innocent] or if the dead person's relative can avenge the death.

Good News Translation
In such cases the community shall judge in your favor and not in favor of the dead person's relative who is seeking revenge.

International Standard Version
then the community is to judge between the inadvertent killer and the blood avenger, following these ordinances.

Majority Standard Bible
then the congregation must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances.

NET Bible
then the community must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these decisions.

New Heart English Bible
then the congregation shall judge between the striker and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances;

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these judgments:

World English Bible
then the congregation shall judge between the striker and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
then the congregation has judged between the striker and the redeemer of blood by these judgments.

Young's Literal Translation
then have the company judged between the smiter and the redeemer of blood, by these judgments.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the assembly judged between him smiting, and between the nearest relation of blood according to these judgments:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And this be proved in the hearing of the people, and the cause be debated between him that struck, and the next of kin:

Catholic Public Domain Version
and this has been proven in the hearing of the people, and the questions have been aired, between the one who struck and the close relative,

New American Bible
then the community will judge between the assailant and the avenger of blood in accordance with these norms.

New Revised Standard Version
then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood, in accordance with these ordinances;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the avenger of the blood according to these judgments;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The assembly shall judge between the killer and the seeker of the vengeance of blood by these judgments:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
then the congregation shall judge between the smiter and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
then the assembly shall judge between the smiter and the avenger of blood, according to these judgments.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Six Cities of Refuge
23or without looking drops a heavy stone that kills him, but he was not an enemy and did not intend to harm him, 24then the congregation must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances. 25The assembly is to protect the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge to which he fled, and he must live there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.…

Cross References
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.

Joshua 20:4-6
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. / 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.”

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.

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.

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.” ...

Leviticus 24:17-22
And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death. / Whoever kills an animal must make restitution—life for life. / If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: ...

Deuteronomy 17:8-13
If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose. / You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case. / You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you, ...

2 Samuel 14:5-11
“What troubles you?” the king asked her. “Indeed,” she said, “I am a widow, for my husband is dead. / And your maidservant had two sons who were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. / 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.” ...

Romans 13:1-4
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...

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.

Acts 25:9-12
But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?” / Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. / If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” ...

Hebrews 10:28-29
Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. / How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

1 Corinthians 6:1-6
If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! / Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? / Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ...

Matthew 18:15-17
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

John 7:51
“Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?”


Treasury of Scripture

Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:

Numbers 35:12
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.

Joshua 20:6
And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.

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Accordance Acting Assembly Avenger Blood Company Congregation Death Judge Judged Judgments Manslayer Meeting Ordinances Punishment Redeemer Regulations Responsible Revenger Right Rules Slayer Smiter Striker
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Accordance Acting Assembly Avenger Blood Company Congregation Death Judge Judged Judgments Manslayer Meeting Ordinances Punishment Redeemer Regulations Responsible Revenger Right Rules Slayer Smiter Striker
Numbers 35
1. Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof
6. Six of them are to be cities of refuge
9. The laws of murder and manslaughter
31. No satisfaction for murder














then the congregation
The term "congregation" in this context refers to the assembly of Israel, often represented by the elders or leaders of the community. In Hebrew, the word used is "עֵדָה" (edah), which signifies a gathering or assembly. This reflects the communal nature of justice in ancient Israel, where the community played a crucial role in maintaining order and righteousness. The involvement of the congregation underscores the importance of collective responsibility and discernment in upholding God's laws.

must judge
The Hebrew root for "judge" is "שָׁפַט" (shaphat), which means to govern, to pass judgment, or to render a decision. This word emphasizes the role of the congregation as not merely passive observers but active participants in the administration of justice. It highlights the biblical principle that justice is a divine mandate, requiring wisdom and fairness, reflecting God's own just nature.

between the slayer
The "slayer" refers to the individual who has caused the death of another, whether intentionally or unintentionally. The Hebrew word "מַכֶּה" (makeh) is used here, which can mean one who strikes or kills. This term is crucial in distinguishing between different types of homicide, as the context of Numbers 35 deals with cities of refuge and the differentiation between murder and manslaughter. It underscores the need for careful examination of circumstances and intent.

and the avenger of blood
The "avenger of blood" is translated from the Hebrew "גֹּאֵל הַדָּם" (go'el ha-dam), referring to a family member responsible for avenging the death of a relative. This concept is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern practice of blood vengeance, where family honor and justice were closely linked. However, the biblical text seeks to regulate this practice, ensuring that vengeance does not lead to further injustice or bloodshed, but rather is subject to divine law and order.

according to these ordinances
The phrase "according to these ordinances" points to the specific laws and guidelines given by God to Moses regarding the handling of cases of manslaughter and murder. The Hebrew word "מִשְׁפָּט" (mishpat) is used, meaning judgment, ordinance, or law. This underscores the importance of adhering to God's revealed will as the standard for justice. It reflects the biblical worldview that true justice is rooted in divine revelation and must be applied consistently and faithfully by the community.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
then the congregation
הָֽעֵדָ֔ה (hā·‘ê·ḏāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage

must judge
וְשָֽׁפְטוּ֙ (wə·šā·p̄ə·ṭū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

between
בֵּ֚ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the slayer
הַמַּכֶּ֔ה (ham·mak·keh)
Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

and the avenger
גֹּאֵ֣ל (gō·’êl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman

of blood
הַדָּ֑ם (had·dām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed

according to
עַ֥ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

these
הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

ordinances.
הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֖ים (ham·miš·pā·ṭîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style


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OT Law: Numbers 35:24 Then the congregation shall judge between (Nu Num.)
Numbers 35:23
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