Numbers 35:25
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהִצִּ֨ילוּ
shall deliver
H5337
וְהִצִּ֨ילוּ
shall deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
1 of 27
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
הָֽעֵדָ֔ה
And the congregation
H5712
הָֽעֵדָ֔ה
And the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
2 of 27
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽרֹצֵ֗חַ
the slayer
H7523
הָֽרֹצֵ֗חַ
the slayer
Strong's:
H7523
Word #:
4 of 27
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
מִיַּד֮
out of the hand
H3027
מִיַּד֮
out of the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 27
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
גֹּאֵ֣ל
of the revenger
H1350
גֹּאֵ֣ל
of the revenger
Strong's:
H1350
Word #:
6 of 27
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
הַדָּם֒
of blood
H1818
הַדָּם֒
of blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
7 of 27
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
וְהֵשִׁ֤יבוּ
shall restore
H7725
וְהֵשִׁ֤יבוּ
shall restore
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
8 of 27
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֹתוֹ֙
H853
אֹתוֹ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽעֵדָ֔ה
And the congregation
H5712
הָֽעֵדָ֔ה
And the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
10 of 27
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
עִ֥יר
him to the city
H5892
עִ֥יר
him to the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
12 of 27
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָ֣ס
whither he was fled
H5127
נָ֣ס
whither he was fled
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
15 of 27
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
שָׁ֑מָּה
H8033
שָׁ֑מָּה
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
16 of 27
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
וְיָ֣שַׁב
and he shall abide
H3427
וְיָ֣שַׁב
and he shall abide
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
17 of 27
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
19 of 27
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מוֹת֙
in it unto the death
H4194
מוֹת֙
in it unto the death
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
20 of 27
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן
priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן
priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
21 of 27
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַגָּדֹ֔ל
of the high
H1419
הַגָּדֹ֔ל
of the high
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
22 of 27
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מָשַׁ֥ח
which was anointed
H4886
מָשַׁ֥ח
which was anointed
Strong's:
H4886
Word #:
24 of 27
to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint
אֹת֖וֹ
H853
אֹת֖וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
25 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Exodus 29:7Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.Joshua 20:6And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.Leviticus 21:10And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;Leviticus 4:3If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.
Historical Context
The high priest's death marking release date suggests his mediatorial role extended beyond annual atonement. His death affected legal status of homicides throughout Israel. This prefigured how Christ's death changes every believer's legal status before God—from guilty to justified.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's death as High Priest secure your permanent release from sin's guilt?
- What does it mean that believers are 'in Christ' as permanent refuge rather than temporary asylum?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The manslayer must remain in the refuge city 'until the death of the high priest'—only then could he return home safely. The high priest's death somehow satisfied justice, ending the blood guilt. This typology points powerfully to Christ: His death as our High Priest releases us permanently from guilt, providing complete freedom. Our refuge doesn't restrict but liberates.