Numbers 35:28
Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְעִ֤יר
in the city
H5892
בְעִ֤יר
in the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
2 of 17
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יֵשֵׁ֔ב
Because he should have remained
H3427
יֵשֵׁ֔ב
Because he should have remained
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 17
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 #:
5 of 17
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מוֹת֙
the death
H4194
מוֹת֙
the death
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
6 of 17
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן
priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן
priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
7 of 17
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 #:
8 of 17
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וְאַֽחֲרֵ֥י
but after
H310
וְאַֽחֲרֵ֥י
but after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
מוֹת֙
the death
H4194
מוֹת֙
the death
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
10 of 17
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן
priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן
priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
11 of 17
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 #:
12 of 17
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
יָשׁוּב֙
shall return
H7725
יָשׁוּב֙
shall return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
13 of 17
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
הָֽרֹצֵ֔חַ
the slayer
H7523
הָֽרֹצֵ֔חַ
the slayer
Strong's:
H7523
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
Historical Context
High priests served for life, sometimes decades (Aaron 40+ years, Eli 40 years, 1 Samuel 4:18). Manslayers might spend their entire adult lives in refuge cities, making the high priest's death a momentous liberation. This waiting period emphasized both justice (exile for bloodshed) and mercy (eventual freedom).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the high priest's death securing the manslayer's freedom typologically point to Christ's death liberating us from sin's penalty?
- What does the manslayer's restoration to his 'possession' after priestly death teach about the full inheritance believers receive through Christ's atonement?
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Analysis & Commentary
Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest (הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל, ha-kohen ha-gadol)—the high priest's death liberated the manslayer. Why? The high priest bore the nation's guilt annually on Yom Kippur (Leviticus 16); his death symbolically atoned for the manslayer's bloodguilt, allowing restoration.
This profoundly foreshadows Christ, our Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), whose death liberates us from sin's exile. But after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession—full restoration followed priestly death. Christ's death on Calvary didn't merely offer escape; it secured our inheritance (Ephesians 1:11-14), returning us to our 'possession' in God's kingdom.