Numbers 35:25

The assembly is to protect the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge to which he fled, and he must live there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The text addresses the Israelite assembly immediately after the congregation renders a verdict in a homicide case. It commands the community to intervene in the legal process to prevent extrajudicial retaliation.

The words — וְהִצִּ֨ילוּ (ve-hiṣṣîlû) = "and they will deliver/protect"; הָעֵדָ֜ה (ha-'êdâ) = "the congregation"; גֹּאֵ֣ל הַדָּם (gō'ēl haddām) = "avenger of the blood"; וְהֵשִׁ֤יבוּ (ve-hēšîḇû) = "and they will return".

The thread — The text establishes the procedural link between Numbers 35:24 and 35:26 regarding the limits of the city of refuge. The anointing of the high priest connects to Exodus 29:7 and Leviticus 21:10, where oil is poured on the head to consecrate the priest.

Why it lands — The text requires the community to enforce a temporary sanctuary that halts blood vengeance. It ties the duration of that sanctuary directly to the lifespan of the anointed high priest.

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

וְהִצִּ֨ילוּve./hi.Tzi.luand/ they will deliver הָעֵדָ֜הha./'e.Dahthe/ congregation אֶת־'et-<obj.>הָרֹצֵ֗חַha./ro.Tze.achthe/ killer מִיַּד֮mi./Yadfrom/ [the] hand of גֹּאֵ֣לgo.'El[the] avenger of הַדָּם֒ha./Dam<the>/ blood וְהֵשִׁ֤יבוּve./he.Shi.vuand/ they will return אֹתוֹ֙'o.T/o<obj.>/ him הָֽעֵדָ֔הha./'e.Dahthe/ congregation אֶל־'el-to עִ֥יר'ir[the] city of מִקְלָט֖וֹmik.la.T/orefuge/ his אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-where נָ֣סnashe had fled שָׁ֑מָּהSha.ma/hthere/ towards וְיָ֣שַׁבve./Ya.shavand/ he will dwellבָּ֗הּBa/hin <the>/ itעַד־'ad-until מוֹת֙mOt[the] death of הַכֹּהֵ֣ןha./ko.Henthe/ priest הַגָּדֹ֔לha./ga.Dol<the>/ great אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-whom מָשַׁ֥חma.Shachsomeone had anointed אֹת֖וֹ'o.T/o<obj.>/ him בְּשֶׁ֥מֶןbe./She.menwith/ [the] oil of הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃ha./Ko.desh<the>/ holiness

King James Version

And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.

Cross-references

Exodus 29:7 Then take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head.
Leviticus 4:3 If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed.
Leviticus 21:10 The priest who is highest among his brothers, who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair hang loose or tear his garments.
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.”
Romans 3:24 and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
Leviticus 8:12 He also poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.
Numbers 35:28 because the manslayer must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Only after the death of the high priest may he return to the land he owns.
Ephesians 2:16 and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.