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Numbers 35:24

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 35:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “then the congregation shall judge between the smiter and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

then the congregation shall judge between the smiter and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances;
Numbers 35:24 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 35

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21or in enmity smote him with his hand, so that he died; he that smote him shall surely be put to death; he is a murderer: the avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death, when he meeteth him.
22But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or hurled upon him anything without lying in wait,
23or with any stone, whereby a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, so that he died, and he was not his enemy, neither sought his harm;
24then the congregation shall judge between the smiter and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances;
25and the congregation shall deliver the manslayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall dwell therein until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.
26But if the manslayer shall at any time go beyond the border of his city of refuge, whither he fleeth,
27and the avenger of blood find him without the border of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood slay the manslayer; he shall not be guilty of blood,
← Numbers 35:23Numbers 35:25 →
← Full Chapter 35 Numbers Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then the congregation, etc.] That is, the court of judicature, assembled together to hear and try this cause: shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood; shall hear what both have to say, and pass sentence: according to these judgments; these judicial laws and rules of judgment before delivered, exemplified in various cases.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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 35:24 The case of the innocent slayer is here contemplated. In a doubtful case there would necessarily have to be a judicial decision as to the guilt or innocence of the person who claimed the right of asylum. Numbers 35:25 The homicide was safe only…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then - If the man - slayer flee to to the city of refuge. Numbers 35:26”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“35:24-25 If the slayer was cleared of the murder charge in his trial or hearing before the community (cp. Deut 19:11-12), he had to remain in the city of refuge to which he fled, and the avenger was not supposed to seek revenge, because the slayer was not guilty of murder. • until the death of the high priest: The priest’s death probably provided a kind of expiation for the blood that had been shed; even though the slayer was innocent of murder, human bloodshed had polluted the land (Num 35:33; cp. Gen 4:10-11).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Num 35:12; Jos 20:6 Numbers 35:25”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“In such a case as this, the congregation was to judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood, according to the judgments before them. They were to rescue the innocent man from the avenger of blood, to bring him back to his (i.e., the nearest) city of refuge to which he had fled, that he might dwell there till the death of the high priest, who had been anointed with the holy oil. Numbers 35:26”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification