Bible Strands
Numbers 35:24
then the congregation must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text addresses the Israelite congregation as Moses outlines the procedural laws for the cities of refuge. It intervenes immediately after an accidental killing to direct how the community must respond.
The words — שָֽפְטוּ (sha.fet.u) translates literally to "they will judge," and גֹּאֵל (go.'el) means "avenger of blood." These terms anchor the verse’s focus on communal adjudication and kinship justice.
The thread — This judicial procedure reappears in Joshua 20:6, which mandates trial before the assembly, and echoes Numbers 35:12, which establishes the cities as refuge from the avenger. The same assembly that judges also protects the manslayer in Numbers 35:25.
Why it lands — The text requires the community to apply established ordinances rather than personal vengeance. It demands that readers recognize judicial process over vigilante action in cases of accidental homicide.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:
Cross-references
- Joshua 20:6 He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the manslayer may return to his own home in the city from which he fled.”
- Numbers 35:12 You are to have these cities as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly.