Numbers 35:26

Numbers 35:26 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;
• New International Version (NIV)“ ‘But if the accused ever goes outside the limits of the city of refuge to which they fled
• English Standard Version (ESV)But if the manslayer shall at any time go beyond the boundaries of his city of refuge to which he fled,
• New King James Version (NKJV)But if the manslayer at any time goes outside the limits of the city of refuge where he fled,

Context of Numbers 35:26

24the assembly is to judge between the person who kills someone and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances. 25The assembly is to protect the one who kills someone from the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge he fled to, and he must live there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. “If the one who kills someone ever goes outside the border of the city of refuge he fled to, 27and the avenger of blood finds him outside the border of his city of refuge and kills him, the avenger will not be guilty of bloodshed, 28for the one who killed a person was supposed to live in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Only after the death of the high priest may the one who has killed a person return to the land he possesses.

Numbers 35:26 word by word

וְאִם־יָצֹ֥א יֵצֵ֖א הָרֹצֵ֑חַ אֶת־גְּבוּל֙ עִ֣יר מִקְלָט֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָנ֖וּס שָֽׁמָּה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• But if the slayerרָצַחrâtsach · to murderH7523
• shall at any timeיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: comeH3318
• comeיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: extendsH3318
• without the borderגְּבוּלgebûl gebûl · border: boundaryH1366
• of the cityעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892
• of his refugeמִקְלָטmiqlâţ · refugeH4733
• whither he was fledנוּסnûs · to fleeH5127

Commentaries on Numbers 35:26

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-34Verses 9-34 To show plainly the abhorrence of murder, and to provide the more effectually for the punishment of the murderer, the nearest relation of the deceased, under the title of avenger of blood, (or the redeemer of blood,) in notorious cases, might pursue, and execute vengeance. A distinction is made, not between sudden anger and malice aforethought, both which are the crime of murder; but between intentionally striking a man with any weapon likely…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 26-29The killer (manslayer) had to stay in a special city (called a "city of refuge") as a consequence for the death he had caused. He had to stay in a city of refuge until he or the high priest died. After the high priest's death, the manslayer could return home, and the avenger of blood could not take revenge.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22-2822-28. But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait, &c.--Under the excitement of a sudden provocation, or violent passion, an injury might be inflicted issuing in death; and for a person who had thus undesignedly committed slaughter, the Levitical cities offered the benefit of full protection. Once having reached the nearest, for one or other of them was within a day's journey of all parts of the…Read the comment

Topics related to Numbers 35:26

• Avenger of Blood
• Homicide
• Refuge

In the dictionaries

• City
• Congregation
• Murder
• Refuge, Cities of
• Testify
• Amorites
• Assassination
• Courts, Judicial
• Ezekiel
• Hittites

Commentaries on Numbers 35

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings