Numbers 35:19
The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
Original Language Analysis
גֹּאֵ֣ל
The revenger
H1350
גֹּאֵ֣ל
The revenger
Strong's:
H1350
Word #:
1 of 10
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
הַדָּ֔ם
of blood
H1818
הַדָּ֔ם
of blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
2 of 10
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
ה֥וּא
him he
H1931
ה֥וּא
him he
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 10
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
יְמִתֶֽנּוּ׃
himself shall slay
H4191
יְמִתֶֽנּוּ׃
himself shall slay
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
4 of 10
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽרֹצֵ֑חַ
the murderer
H7523
הָֽרֹצֵ֑חַ
the murderer
Strong's:
H7523
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
בְּפִגְעוֹ
when he meeteth
H6293
בְּפִגְעוֹ
when he meeteth
Strong's:
H6293
Word #:
7 of 10
to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
Cross References
Deuteronomy 19:12Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.Deuteronomy 19:6Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.Joshua 20:5And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.Joshua 20:3That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.Numbers 35:21Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
Historical Context
The go'el ha-dam institution predates Mosaic law, appearing in patriarchal customs (Genesis 9:5-6). By Moses' era (1446 BC), it was codified to prevent blood feuds from spiraling into tribal warfare, channeling vengeance through legal structures while honoring family duty.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the <em>go'el ha-dam</em> (avenger of blood) typologically point to Christ as both our Redeemer and the satisfaction of divine justice?
- What does the spatial protection of the refuge city teach about the security of those who abide 'in Christ'?
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Analysis & Commentary
The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer (גֹּאֵל הַדָּם, go'el ha-dam)—the kinsman-redeemer bore responsibility to avenge murder and preserve family honor. This wasn't vigilante justice but divinely sanctioned family obligation (cf. Genesis 9:6). The go'el also redeemed property (Leviticus 25:25) and married childless widows (Ruth 3:12-13)—roles fulfilled supremely in Christ, our Kinsman-Redeemer.
When he meeteth him, he shall slay him—outside the city of refuge, the murderer had no protection. Inside, even the go'el could not touch him (v.27). This spatial boundary prefigures being 'in Christ' (2 Corinthians 5:17)—within His refuge, we're safe from divine wrath; outside, we face the just penalty for sin.