Numbers 35:19

19 The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death; when the avenger comes upon the murderer, the avenger shall put the murderer to death.

Numbers 35:19 in Other Translations

19 The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.

19 The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death.

19 The victim’s nearest relative is responsible for putting the murderer to death. When they meet, the avenger must put the murderer to death.

19 "In such cases the avenger has a right to kill the murderer when he meets him - he can kill him on the spot.

19 The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death: when he meeteth him, he shall put him to death.

19 The relative who can avenge the death must make sure a murderer is put to death. When he catches up with the murderer, he must kill him.

19 The avenger of blood himself is to kill the murderer; when he finds him, he is to kill him.

19 " 'The dead person's nearest male relative should kill the murderer. When he meets him, he should kill him.

Numbers 35:19 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 35:19

The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer
Not only shall have power to do it, but, as it seems, should be obliged to do it; be the executioner of the murderer; but not before his case has been heard, examined, tried, and judged; wherefore the Targum of Jonathan adds,

``in judgment,''

that is, as Onkelos explains it,

``when he is condemned by judgment,''

the court of judicature:

when he meeteth him he shall slay him;
the first opportunity he has, even though, as Jarchi says, if he meets him in the midst of one of the cities of refuge, and no judgment is passed on him.

Numbers 35:19 In-Context

17 Or if anyone is holding a stone and strikes someone a fatal blow with it, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death.

18 Or if anyone is holding a wooden object and strikes someone a fatal blow with it, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death.

19 The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death; when the avenger comes upon the murderer, the avenger shall put the murderer to death.

20 If anyone with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at them intentionally so that they die

21 or if out of enmity one person hits another with their fist so that the other dies, that person is to be put to death; that person is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when they meet.

Cross References

• 1. S ver 12
• 2. ver 21