God’s Word Translation
Numbers 35:19
19The 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.
Numbers 35:19 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
- New International Version (NIV)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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death.
Context of Numbers 35:19
17If any of you picks up a stone as a weapon and uses it to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death. 18Or if any of you picks up a piece of wood as a weapon and uses it to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death. 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. 20If any of you kills someone you hate by shoving him or by deliberately throwing something at him, 21or if you beat your enemy to death with your bare hands, you must be put to death. You are a murderer. The relative who can avenge the death must kill you when he catches up with you, because you are a murderer.
Read all of Numbers 35Numbers 35:19 word by word
גֹּאֵ֣ל הַדָּ֔ם ה֥וּא יָמִ֖ית אֶת־הָרֹצֵ֑חַ בְּפִגְעוֹ־ב֖וֹ ה֥וּא יְמִיתֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Numbers 35:19
- Numbers 35:12These cities will be places of refuge from any relative who can avenge the death. So anyone accused of murder will not have to die until he has had a trial in front of the community.
- Deuteronomy 19:6Otherwise, in a rage the relative who has the authority to avenge the death will pursue him. If the place is too far away, the relative may catch up with him and take his life even though he didn’t deserve the death penalty, because in the past he never hated the person he killed.
- Joshua 20:3Choose them so that anyone who unintentionally kills someone may run to them. They will be a place of refuge from any relative who can avenge the death.
Commentaries on Numbers 35:19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19The revenger of blood - הדם גאל goel haddam, the redeemer of blood; the next in blood to him who was slain. See on Numbers 35:12; (note).Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16-25Verses 16-25 The sense is: Inasmuch as to take another man‘s life by any means whatsoever is murder, and exposes the murderer to the penalty of retaliation; so, if the deed is done in hostility, it is in truth actual murder, and the murderer shall be slain; but if it be not done in hostility, then the congregation shall interpose to stop the avenger‘s hand. Numbers 35:19 When he meeteth him - Provided, of course, it were without a city of refuge. Numbers…Read the comment
- 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. 19The avenger was the victim’s closest relative. He was responsible for putting the murderer to death, carrying out the vengeance that justice required (Genesis 9:6).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 16-2116-21. If he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, &c.--Various cases are here enumerated in which the Goel or avenger was at liberty to take the life of the murderer; and every one of them proves a premeditated purpose.Read the comment
Topics related to Numbers 35:19
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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