Numbers 35:31

Authorized King James Version

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Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.

Original Language Analysis

וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִקְח֥וּ Moreover ye shall take H3947
תִקְח֥וּ Moreover ye shall take
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 2 of 12
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
כֹ֙פֶר֙ no satisfaction H3724
כֹ֙פֶר֙ no satisfaction
Strong's: H3724
Word #: 3 of 12
properly, a cover, i.e., (literally) a village (as covered in)
לְנֶ֣פֶשׁ for the life H5315
לְנֶ֣פֶשׁ for the life
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 4 of 12
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
רֹצֵ֔חַ of a murderer H7523
רֹצֵ֔חַ of a murderer
Strong's: H7523
Word #: 5 of 12
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 6 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
ה֥וּא H1931
ה֥וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 7 of 12
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
רָשָׁ֖ע which is guilty H7563
רָשָׁ֖ע which is guilty
Strong's: H7563
Word #: 8 of 12
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
יוּמָֽת׃ but he shall be surely H4191
יוּמָֽת׃ but he shall be surely
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 9 of 12
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
כִּי H3588
כִּי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 10 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יוּמָֽת׃ but he shall be surely H4191
יוּמָֽת׃ but he shall be surely
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 11 of 12
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
יוּמָֽת׃ but he shall be surely H4191
יוּמָֽת׃ but he shall be surely
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 12 of 12
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis & Commentary

God prohibits: 'ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.' The Hebrew 'kofer' (satisfaction/ransom) means payment substituting for punishment. God forbade accepting money instead of executing murderers - human life's value demands ultimate penalty. This wasn't vengeance but justice protecting life's sanctity. The phrase 'guilty of death' (rasha lamut) indicates deserving capital punishment. This principle undergirds the gospel - our spiritual murder of God's image in ourselves demands death penalty. Yet Christ provides the only acceptable kofer (ransom), His life for ours (Matt 20:28, 1 Pet 1:18-19). No other payment suffices.

Historical Context

This law prevented wealthy murderers from avoiding justice through bribes - a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures. Israel's law uniquely prohibited monetary substitution for murder, emphasizing life's infinite value as God's image-bearers (Gen 9:6). Other crimes allowed restitution, but not murder. This maintained justice's integrity and prevented corruption. The law applied equally regardless of social status - even kings (David's adultery leading to murder) faced consequences. After exile without independent judiciary, Jewish law made capital punishment nearly impossible through stringent evidentiary requirements. Christian understanding sees this law highlighting that only Christ's blood, not silver or gold, ransoms from sin's death penalty.

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