Numbers 35:32
And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִקְח֣וּ
And ye shall take
H3947
תִקְח֣וּ
And ye shall take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
2 of 13
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
כֹ֔פֶר
no satisfaction
H3724
כֹ֔פֶר
no satisfaction
Strong's:
H3724
Word #:
3 of 13
properly, a cover, i.e., (literally) a village (as covered in)
לָנ֖וּס
for him that is fled
H5127
לָנ֖וּס
for him that is fled
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
4 of 13
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
עִ֣יר
to the city
H5892
עִ֣יר
to the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
6 of 13
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
לָשׁוּב֙
that he should come again
H7725
לָשׁוּב֙
that he should come again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
8 of 13
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לָשֶׁ֣בֶת
to dwell
H3427
לָשֶׁ֣בֶת
to dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
9 of 13
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 #:
11 of 13
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Historical Context
In contrast to Israel's prohibition on kofer for homicide, surrounding cultures (Hittite, Babylonian) allowed monetary compensation for manslaughter. Israel's absolute standard—no ransom for blood—reflected the uniqueness of humans as God's image-bearers (Genesis 9:6), whose lives are invaluable.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did God prohibit ransom (<em>kofer</em>) for manslayers—what does this teach about the inestimable value of human life?
- How does the prohibition against purchasing early release point to the truth that salvation cannot be earned or bought but only received through Christ's substitutionary death?
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Analysis & Commentary
And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge (כֹּפֶר, kofer)—no ransom, bribe, or monetary payment could substitute for exile or death. The Hebrew kofer (from kafar, 'to cover, atone') meant a substitutionary payment, prohibited here because life's value transcends economics (Psalm 49:7-8: 'None can by any means redeem his brother').
That he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest—even the wealthy manslayer couldn't buy early release. Only the high priest's death secured freedom, pointing to Christ's unrepeatable atonement (Hebrews 9:12: 'by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption'). Salvation cannot be purchased; it was purchased.