King James Version

What Does Numbers 35:31 Mean?

Numbers 35:31 in the King James Version says “Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put ...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. guilty: Heb. faulty to die”

Numbers 35:31 · KJV

Context

29

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

30

Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.

31

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. guilty: Heb. faulty to die

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.

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. the land cannot: Heb. there can be no expiation for the land

Read Numbers 35 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you understand that your sins deserve death and only Christ's blood provides acceptable ransom?
  2. How does the prohibition on substitutes for murder's penalty emphasize the costliness of Christ's sacrifice for your sins?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְלֹֽא1 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִקְח֥וּ2 of 12

“Moreover ye shall take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

כֹ֙פֶר֙3 of 12

“no satisfaction”

H3724

properly, a cover, i.e., (literally) a village (as covered in)

לְנֶ֣פֶשׁ4 of 12

“for the life”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

רֹצֵ֔חַ5 of 12

“of a murderer”

H7523

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

אֲשֶׁר6 of 12
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

ה֥וּא7 of 12
H1931

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

רָשָׁ֖ע8 of 12

“which is guilty”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

יוּמָֽת׃9 of 12

“but he shall be surely”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

כִּי10 of 12
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יוּמָֽת׃11 of 12

“but he shall be surely”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

יוּמָֽת׃12 of 12

“but he shall be surely”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

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 35:31 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 35:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 2:28-342 Samuel 12:13Psalms 51:14Deuteronomy 19:11-13Genesis 9:5-6Exodus 21:14

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