Numbers 35:33
So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַֽחֲנִ֖יף
So ye shall not pollute
H2610
יַֽחֲנִ֖יף
So ye shall not pollute
Strong's:
H2610
Word #:
2 of 24
to soil, especially in a moral sense
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְּדַ֥ם
of the blood
H1818
בְּדַ֥ם
of the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
9 of 24
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
H1931
ה֥וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
10 of 24
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
יַֽחֲנִ֖יף
So ye shall not pollute
H2610
יַֽחֲנִ֖יף
So ye shall not pollute
Strong's:
H2610
Word #:
11 of 24
to soil, especially in a moral sense
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בְּדַ֥ם
of the blood
H1818
בְּדַ֥ם
of the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
17 of 24
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
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שֹֽׁפְכֽוֹ׃
of him that shed
H8210
שֹֽׁפְכֽוֹ׃
of him that shed
Strong's:
H8210
Word #:
19 of 24
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
21 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִ֖ם
H518
אִ֖ם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
22 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
Cross References
Psalms 106:38And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.Isaiah 26:21For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.Genesis 9:6Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.Leviticus 18:25And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.2 Kings 23:26Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.2 Kings 24:4And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.Micah 4:11Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.
Historical Context
This verse concludes laws about cities of refuge (v.9-34), which protected accidental killers from vengeful 'avengers of blood' while ensuring murderers faced justice. The cities of refuge balanced mercy (for manslaughter) with justice (for murder). The requirement that the land be cleansed demonstrated that God, dwelling among Israel, couldn't tolerate blood-guilt. Deuteronomy 21:1-9 provided ritual for unsolved murders. After the exile and without the temple system, Jewish law developed complex regulations about capital punishment, eventually making it nearly impossible to execute. The principle remains that image-bearers' lives are sacred, and murder demands ultimate penalty.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding humans as God's image-bearers affect your view of the sanctity of human life?
- In what ways does Christ's blood cleanse the 'land' - your life and conscience - from the pollution of sin's guilt?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God declares: 'blood... defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.' This establishes capital punishment's theological basis - murder pollutes the land where God dwells, requiring purification through justice. The Hebrew 'chaneph' (defile/pollute) indicates moral corruption spreading from unpunished murder. This reflects Genesis 9:6: 'Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.' Murder assaults God's image, demanding ultimate penalty. The principle points to Christ whose blood cleanses all defilement (1 John 1:7, Heb 9:14).