Numbers 35:19

Authorized King James Version

The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
גֹּאֵ֣ל
The revenger
to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido
#2
הַדָּ֔ם
of blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#3
ה֥וּא
him he
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#4
יְמִתֶֽנּוּ׃
himself shall slay
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#5
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
הָֽרֹצֵ֑חַ
the murderer
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
#7
בְּפִגְעוֹ
when he meeteth
to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
#8
ב֖וֹ
H0
#9
ה֥וּא
him he
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#10
יְמִתֶֽנּוּ׃
himself shall slay
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Numbers Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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