Numbers 35:34
New International Version
Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.’”

New Living Translation
You must not defile the land where you live, for I live there myself. I am the LORD, who lives among the people of Israel.”

English Standard Version
You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the people of Israel.”

Berean Standard Bible
Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.”

King James Bible
Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.

New King James Version
Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
So you shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD am dwelling in the midst of the sons of Israel.’”

NASB 1995
‘You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD am dwelling in the midst of the sons of Israel.’”

NASB 1977
‘And you shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD am dwelling in the midst of the sons of Israel.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
And you shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell; for I Yahweh am dwelling in the midst of the sons of Israel.’”

Amplified Bible
You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I live, for I, the LORD, live among the people of Israel.’”

Christian Standard Bible
Do not make the land unclean where you live and where I dwell; for I, the LORD, reside among the Israelites.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Do not make the land unclean where you live and where I reside; for I, Yahweh, reside among the Israelites.”

American Standard Version
And thou shalt not defile the land which ye inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell: for I, Jehovah, dwell in the midst of the children of Israel.

English Revised Version
And thou shalt not defile the land which ye inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell: for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the children of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Never make the land where you and I live unclean. I, the LORD, live among the Israelites."

Good News Translation
Do not defile the land where you are living, because I am the LORD and I live among the people of Israel."

International Standard Version
You are not to defile the land where you will be living, because I'm living among you. I am the LORD, who lives in Israel."

Majority Standard Bible
Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.?

NET Bible
Therefore do not defile the land that you will inhabit, in which I live, for I the LORD live among the Israelites."

New Heart English Bible
You shall not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell: for I, the LORD, dwell in the midst of the children of Israel.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, in which I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.

World English Bible
You shall not defile the land which you inhabit, where I dwell; for I, Yahweh, dwell among the children of Israel.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you do not defile the land in which you are dwelling, in the midst of which I dwell, for I, YHWH, dwell in the midst of the sons of Israel.”

Young's Literal Translation
and ye defile not the land in which ye are dwelling, in the midst of which I do tabernacle, for I Jehovah do tabernacle in the midst of the sons of Israel.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou shalt not defile the land which ye shall dwell upon it, which I dwell in the midst of it: for I Jehovah dwell in the midst of the sons of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And thus shall your possession he cleansed, myself abiding with you. For I am the Lord that dwell among the children of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so shall your possession be cleansed, while I myself am abiding with you. For I am the Lord, who lives among the sons of Israel.”

New American Bible
Do not defile the land in which you live and in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the Israelites.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall not defile the land in which you live, in which I also dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the Israelites.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Defile not therefore the land in which you dwell, and wherein I dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you shall not defile the land in which you dwell, for I camp within it, because I AM LORD JEHOVAH, for I camp among the children of Israel.’”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And thou shalt not defile the land which ye inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the children of Israel.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And ye shall not defile the land whereon ye dwell, on which I dwell in the midst of you; for I am the Lord dwelling in the midst of the children of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Six Cities of Refuge
33Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. 34Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.”

Cross References
Leviticus 18:25-28
Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants. / But you are to keep My statutes and ordinances, and you must not commit any of these abominations—neither your native-born nor the foreigner who lives among you. / For the men who were in the land before you committed all these abominations, and the land has become defiled. ...

Deuteronomy 21:23
you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

Psalm 106:38
They shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood.

Jeremiah 2:7
I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and bounty, but you came and defiled My land and made My inheritance detestable.

Ezekiel 36:17-18
“Son of man, when the people of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds. Their behavior before Me was like the uncleanness of a woman’s impurity. / So I poured out My wrath upon them because of the blood they had shed on the land, and because they had defiled it with their idols.

Isaiah 24:5-6
The earth is defiled by its people; they have transgressed the laws; they have overstepped the decrees and broken the everlasting covenant. / Therefore a curse has consumed the earth, and its inhabitants must bear the guilt; the earth’s dwellers have been burned, and only a few survive.

Genesis 6:11-13
Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and full of violence. / And God looked upon the earth and saw that it was corrupt; for all living creatures on the earth had corrupted their ways. / Then God said to Noah, “The end of all living creatures has come before Me, because through them the earth is full of violence. Now behold, I will destroy both them and the earth.

Leviticus 20:22
You are therefore to keep all My statutes and ordinances, so that the land where I am bringing you to live will not vomit you out.

Jeremiah 16:18
And I will first repay them double their iniquity and their sin, because they have defiled My land with the carcasses of their detestable idols, and they have filled My inheritance with their abominations.”

Ezekiel 22:24
“Son of man, say to her, ‘In the day of indignation, you are a land that has not been cleansed, upon which no rain has fallen.’

Revelation 11:18
The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead and to reward Your servants the prophets, as well as the saints and those who fear Your name, both small and great—and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

Romans 8:21-22
that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. / We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.

Matthew 5:35
or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

2 Peter 3:13
But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Revelation 21:1-3
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. / I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. / And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.


Treasury of Scripture

Defile not therefore the land which you shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.

defile not

Numbers 5:3
Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell.

Leviticus 20:24-26
But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people…

I dwell

Psalm 135:21
Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Hosea 9:3
They shall not dwell in the LORD'S land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.

dwell among

Numbers 5:3
Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell.

Exodus 25:8
And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

Exodus 29:45,46
And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God…

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Children Dwell Dwelling House Inhabit Israel Israelites Live Midst Present Tabernacle Unclean Wherein
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














Do not defile the land where you live
This command emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity and holiness in the land given to the Israelites. The concept of defilement is significant in the Old Testament, often associated with sin, idolatry, and moral corruption. The land of Canaan was to be a place set apart for God's people, reflecting His holiness. The Israelites were warned against practices such as idolatry and immorality, which could defile the land (Leviticus 18:24-28). The land itself was seen as a gift from God, and maintaining its purity was a way of honoring Him.

and where I dwell.
God's presence among the Israelites was a central theme in the Old Testament. The tabernacle, and later the temple, symbolized God's dwelling among His people. This phrase underscores the idea that the land was not just a physical space but a spiritual one where God chose to manifest His presence. The holiness of the land was directly connected to God's presence, and any defilement was an affront to His holiness. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are described as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), emphasizing the need for purity in the presence of God.

For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.
This statement reaffirms God's covenant relationship with Israel. The use of "I, the LORD" highlights His authority and the personal nature of His relationship with His people. God's dwelling among the Israelites was a fulfillment of His promise to be their God and for them to be His people (Exodus 29:45-46). This presence was both a privilege and a responsibility, as it required the Israelites to live in a manner worthy of God's holiness. The idea of God dwelling among His people finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is described as "Immanuel," meaning "God with us" (Matthew 1:23), and in the future promise of God dwelling with His people in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:3).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were given the Law through Moses and were journeying to the Promised Land.

2. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. It was to be a holy place where God would dwell among His people.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who desires to dwell among His people and requires holiness in the land.

4. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, through whom God delivered the Law, including the instructions in Numbers 35.

5. The Cities of Refuge
Established in Numbers 35, these were places where those accused of manslaughter could seek asylum, highlighting the importance of justice and mercy in the land.
Teaching Points
Holiness in Our Dwelling
Just as God required the Israelites to keep the land pure, we are called to maintain holiness in our lives and communities, recognizing that God dwells among us.

God's Presence
The presence of God among His people is a profound privilege and responsibility. We must live in a way that honors His presence.

Justice and Mercy
The establishment of cities of refuge highlights the balance of justice and mercy, which should be reflected in our own lives and communities.

Stewardship of Creation
The command not to defile the land can be extended to our responsibility to care for God's creation, recognizing it as a place where He dwells.

Community Accountability
The Israelites were collectively responsible for maintaining the purity of the land, reminding us of our responsibility to uphold righteousness in our communities.Verse 34. - For I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel. Therefore the murderer's hand is raised against me; the blood of the slain is ever before my eyes, its cry for vengeance ever in my ears (cf. Genesis 4:10; Matthew 23:35; Revelation 6:10).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do not
וְלֹ֧א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

defile
תְטַמֵּ֣א (ṯə·ṭam·mê)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean

the land
הָאָ֗רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

where
אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you
אַתֶּם֙ (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

live
יֹשְׁבִ֣ים (yō·šə·ḇîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

and where
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I
אֲנִ֖י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

dwell.
שֹׁכֵ֣ן (šō·ḵên)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell

For
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I,
אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

the LORD,
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

dwell
שֹׁכֵ֕ן (šō·ḵên)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell

among
בְּתוֹכָ֑הּ (bə·ṯō·w·ḵāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

the Israelites.”
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son


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OT Law: Numbers 35:34 You shall not defile the land which (Nu Num.)
Numbers 35:33
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