Numbers 35:19

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 he strikes him by throwing a stone large enough that he could die, and he dies, he is a murderer. The murderer must surely be put to death. 18Or if he strikes him with a wooden hand weapon so that he could die, and he dies, he is a murderer. The murderer must surely be put to death. The avenger of blood himself must kill the murderer; when he meets him, he must kill him. 20“But if he strikes him out of hatred or throws something at him intentionally so that he dies, 21or with enmity he strikes him with his hand and he dies, the one who struck him must surely be put to death, for he is a murderer. The avenger of blood must kill the murderer when he meets him.

Numbers 35:19 word by word

גֹּאֵ֣ל הַדָּ֔ם ה֥וּא יָמִ֖ית אֶת־הָרֹצֵ֑חַ בְּפִגְעוֹ־ב֖וֹ ה֥וּא יְמִיתֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The revengerגָּאַלgâ'al · to redeem: avengeH1350
• of bloodדָּםdâm · bloodH1818
• himself shall slayמוּתmûth · to dieH4191
• the murdererרָצַחrâtsach · to murderH7523
• when he meetethפָּגַעpâga‛ · to fall onH6293
• him, heהוּאhû' hîy' · he/she/itH1931

Cross-references for Numbers 35:19

• Numbers 35:12And they must stand as your towns of refuge from the avenger in order that the killer may not die until he has stood trial before the community.
• Deuteronomy 19:6Otherwise the blood avenger will chase after the killer in the heat of his anger, eventually overtake him, and kill him, though this is not a capital case since he did not hate him at the time of the accident.
• Joshua 20:3Anyone who accidentally kills someone can escape there; these cities will be a place of asylum from the avenger of blood.

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

• Avenger of Blood
• Homicide
• Punishment
• Refuge

In the dictionaries

• City
• Congregation
• Murder
• Refuge, Cities of
• Testify
• Amorites
• Assassination
• Courts, Judicial
• Cruel; Cruelty
• Ezekiel

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