King James Version

What Does Numbers 35:27 Mean?

Numbers 35:27 in the King James Version says “And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the sla...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood: he: Heb. no blood shall be to him”

Numbers 35:27 · KJV

Context

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.

26

But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;

27

And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood: he: Heb. no blood shall be to him

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.

29

So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Read Numbers 35 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood—outside the boundary, the go'el ha-dam lawfully executed the manslayer. The avenger bore no guilt because the fugitive voluntarily left his asylum. This wasn't murder but justice delayed, not denied.

The typology is sobering: Christ is our refuge from divine wrath (Romans 5:9), but those who 'neglect so great salvation' (Hebrews 2:3) or 'draw back' (Hebrews 10:38-39) face the judgment they fled. There is no salvation outside Christ, just as there was no protection outside the city's borders.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The legal principle that the go'el incurred no bloodguilt for killing the manslayer outside refuge presumes the community knew the boundaries and the manslayer's status. This required public records and clear demarcation, preventing accidental violations of sanctuary law.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the avenger's freedom from bloodguilt outside the boundary illustrate the justice of God's wrath upon those who reject Christ?
  2. What does this verse teach about the dire consequences of leaving the safety of refuge—spiritually, leaving Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וּמָצָ֤א1 of 16

“find”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

אֹתוֹ֙2 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

גֹּאֵ֤ל3 of 16

“And the revenger”

H1350

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

דָּֽם׃4 of 16

“he shall not be guilty of blood”

H1818

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

מִח֕וּץ5 of 16

“him without”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

לִגְב֖וּל6 of 16

“the borders”

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

עִ֣יר7 of 16

“of the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

מִקְלָט֑וֹ8 of 16

“of his refuge”

H4733

an asylum (as a receptacle)

הָ֣רֹצֵ֔חַ9 of 16

“kill”

H7523

properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder

גֹּאֵ֤ל10 of 16

“And the revenger”

H1350

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

דָּֽם׃11 of 16

“he shall not be guilty of blood”

H1818

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

אֶת12 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָ֣רֹצֵ֔חַ13 of 16

“kill”

H7523

properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder

אֵ֥ין14 of 16
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

ל֖וֹ15 of 16
H0
דָּֽם׃16 of 16

“he shall not be guilty of blood”

H1818

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 35:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 35:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 19:6Exodus 22:2Deuteronomy 19:10

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