Cities of Refuge and the Law of Manslaughter
Numbers 35
The Levites are assigned forty-eight cities with surrounding pasture land, including six cities of refuge where a person who kills another unintentionally may flee for safety. The chapter then sets out how to distinguish a murderer, who must be put to death, from one who kills by accident, who may remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonMOREOVER the Lord spoke to Moses, on the west of Moab, by the Jordan, over against Jericho, saying,
BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses to the west of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν ἐπὶ δυσμῶν Μωὰβ παρὰ τὸν Ἰορδάνην κατὰ Ἱεριχὼ, λέγων,
KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying:
2
ThomsonCommand the children of Israel; and let them give the Levites, out of the lots of their possession, cities to dwell in. They shall also give the Levites the suburbs of these cities round about.
BrentonGive orders to the children of Israel, and they shall give to the Levites cities to dwell in from the lot of their possession, and they shall give to the Levites the suburbs of the cities round about them.
Greekσύνταξον τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ δώσουσι τοῖς Λευίταις ἀπὸ τῶν κλήρων κατασχέσεως αὐτῶν πόλεις κατοικεῖν· καὶ τὰ προάστεια τῶν πόλεων κύκλῳ αὐτῶν δώσουσι τοῖς Λευίταις.
KJVCommand the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.
JPS’Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and open land round about the cities shall ye give unto the Levites.
3
ThomsonThe cities shall be for them to dwell in; and the suburbs thereof shall be for their cattle, even for all their beasts.
BrentonAnd the cities shall be for them to dwell in, and their enclosures shall be for their cattle and all their beasts.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσονται αὐτοῖς αἱ πόλεις κατοικεῖν, καὶ τὰ ἀφορίσματα αὐτῶν ἔσται τοῖς κτήνεσιν αὐτῶν, καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς τετράποσιν αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.
JPSAnd the cities shall they have to dwell in; and their open land shall be for their cattle, and for their substance, and for all their beasts.
4
ThomsonNow the suburbs of the cities, which you shall give to the Levites, shall be from the wall of the city, outwards, two thousand cubits all around.
BrentonAnd the suburbs of the cities which ye shall give to the Levites, shall be from the wall of the city and outwards two thousand cubits round about.
GreekΚαὶ τὰ συνκυροῦντα τῶν πόλεων, ἃς δώσετε τοῖς Λευίταις, ἀπὸ τείχους τῆς πόλεως καὶ ἔξω δισχιλίους πήχεις κύκλῳ.
KJVAnd the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.
JPSAnd the open land about the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall be from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.
5
ThomsonThou shalt therefore measure off, outwards from the city, on the east side two thousand cubits, on the south side two thousand cubits, on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits, and in the middle of this shall be your city;
BrentonAnd thou shalt measure outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and your city shall be in the midst of this, and the suburbs of the cities as described.
GreekΚαὶ μετρήσεις ἔξω τῆς πόλεως τὸ κλίτος τὸ πρὸς ἀνατολὰς δισχιλίους πήχεις, καὶ τὸ κλίτος τὸ πρὸς Λίβα δισχιλίους πήχεις, καὶ τὸ κλίτος τὸ πρὸς θάλασσαν διαχιλίους πήχεις, καὶ τὸ κλίτος τὸ πρὸς Βοῤῥᾶν δισχιλίους πήχεις· καὶ ἡ πόλις μέσον τούτου ἔσται ὑμῖν, καὶ τὰ ὅμορα τῶν πόλεων.
KJVAnd ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
JPSAnd ye shall measure without the city for the east side two thousand cubits, and for the south side two thousand cubits, and for the west side two thousand cubits, and for the north side two thousand cubits, the city being in the midst. This shall be to them the open land about the cities.
6
Thomsonand you shall give these suburbs of the cities with the cities, to the Levites. Six of the cities which you shall give shall be cities of refuge for the manslayer to flee to, and besides these you shall give forty-two cities.
BrentonAnd ye shall give the cities to the Levites, the six cities of refuge which ye shall give for the slayer to flee thither, and in addition to these, forty-two cities.
GreekΚαὶ τὰς πόλεις δώσετε τοῖς Λευίταις, τὰς ἓξ πόλεις τῶν φυγαδευτηρίων ἃς δώσετε φυγεῖν ἐκεῖ τῷ φονεύσαντι, καὶ πρὸς ταύταις τεσσαράκοντα καὶ δύο πόλεις.
KJVAnd among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.
JPSAnd the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which ye shall give for the manslayer to flee thither; and beside them ye shall give forty and two cities.
7
ThomsonAll the cities, which you shall give to the Levites, shall be forty-eight.
BrentonYe shall give to the Levites in all forty-eight cities, them and their suburbs.
GreekΠάσας τὰς πόλεις δώσετε τοῖς Λευίταις τεσσαράκοντα καὶ ὀκτὼ πόλεις· ταύτας, καὶ τὰ προάστεια αὐτῶν.
KJVSo all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs.
JPSAll the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with the open land about them.
8
ThomsonThese cities with their suburbs, even the cities which you shall give, shall be from the possessions of the children of Israel. They shall give the Levites, out of their cities, many from those who have many, and few from them who have few; from every one according to the inheritance which they possess.
BrentonAnd as for the cities which ye shall give out of the possession of the children of Israel, from those that have much ye shall give much, and from those that have less ye shall give less: they shall give of their cities to the Levites each one according to his inheritance which they shall inherit.
GreekΚαὶ τὰς πόλεις ἃς δώσετε ἀπὸ τῆς κατασχέσεως υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ, ἀπὸ τῶν τὰ πολλὰ, πολλά· καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν ἐλαττόνων, ἐλάττω· ἕκαστος κατὰ τὴν κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ ἣν κατακληρονομήσουσι, δώσουσιν ἀπὸ τῶν πόλεων τοῖς Λευίταις.
KJVAnd the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.
JPSAnd concerning the cities which ye shall give of the possession of the children of Israel, from the many ye shall take many, and from the few ye shall take few; each tribe according to its inheritance which it inheriteth shall give of its cities unto the Levites.’
9
ThomsonMoreover the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων,
KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
10
ThomsonSpeak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them, You are about to cross the Jordan into the land of Chanaan,
BrentonSpeak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them, Ye are to cross over Jordan into the land of Chanaan.
Greekλάλησον τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτοὺς, ὑμεῖς διαβαίνετε τὸν Ἰορδάνην εἰς γῆν Χαναάν.
KJVSpeak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;
JPS’Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
11
Thomsonand you will set apart for yourselves cities, which shall be your places of refuge, to which the manslayer may flee. When any person killeth another unwittingly,
BrentonAnd ye shall appoint to yourselves cities: they shall be to you cities of refuge for the slayer to flee to, every one who has killed another unintentionally.
GreekΚαὶ διαστελεῖτε ὑμῖν αὐτοῖς πόλεις· φυγαδευτήρια ἔσται ὑμῖν φυγεῖν ἐκεῖ τὸν φονευτὴν, πᾶς ὁ πατάξας ψυχὴν ἀκουσίως.
KJVThen ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.
JPSthen ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer that killeth any person through error may flee thither.
12
Thomsonthose cities will be places of refuge from the avenger of blood, that the manslayer may not die, until he stand before the congregation for trial.
BrentonAnd the cities shall be to you places of refuge from the avenger of blood, and the slayer shall not die until he stands before the congregation for judgment.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσονται αἱ πόλεις ὑμῖν φυγαδευτήρια ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀγχιστεύοντος τὸ αἷμα, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνῃ ὁ φονεύων ἕως ἂν στῇ ἔναντι τῆς συναγωγῆς εἰς κρίσιν.
KJVAnd they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
JPSAnd the cities shall be unto you for refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation for judgment.
13
ThomsonTherefore, with regard to the cities which you shall give, six shall be your places of refuge;
BrentonAnd the cities which ye shall assign, even the six cities, shall be places of refuge for you.
GreekΚαὶ αἱ πόλεις ἃς δώσετε τὰς ἓξ πόλεις, φυγαδευτήρια ἔσονται ὑμῖν.
KJVAnd of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge.
JPSAnd as to the cities which ye shall give, there shall be for you six cities of refuge.
14
Thomsonthree of these cities you shall give on this side of the Jordan, and three such cities you shall give in the land of Chanaan.
BrentonYe shall assign three cities on the other side of Jordan, and ye shall assign three cities in the land of Chanaan.
GreekΤὰς τρεῖς πόλεις δώσετε πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου, καὶ τὰς τρεῖς πόλεις δώσετε ἐν γῇ Χαναάν.
KJVYe shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
JPSYe shall give three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan; they shall be cities of refuge.
15
ThomsonThey shall be a refuge for the children of Israel, and for the proselyte, and the sojourner among you. These cities are to be places of refuge, to which every one may flee who hath smitten a person unawares.
BrentonIt shall be a place of refuge for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for him that sojourns among you; these cities shall be for a place of refuge, for every one to flee thither who has killed a man unintentionally.
GreekΦυγαδεῖον ἔσται τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραήλ, καὶ τῷ προσηλύτῳ, καὶ τῷ παροίκῳ τῷ ἐν ὑμῖν· ἔσονται αἱ πόλεις αὗται εἰς φυγαδευτήριον, φυγεῖν ἐκεῖ παντὶ πατάξαντι ψυχὴν ἀκουσίως.
KJVThese six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.
JPSFor the children of Israel, and for the stranger and for the settler among them, shall these six cities be for refuge, that every one that killeth any person through error may flee thither.
16
ThomsonBut if he hath smitten him with an instrument of iron, and he die, he is a murderer; let the murderer be put to death.
BrentonAnd if he should smite him with an iron instrument, and the man should die, he is a murderer; let the murderer by all means be put to death.
GreekἘὰν δὲ ἐν σκεύει σιδήρου πατάξῃ αὐτὸν, καὶ τελευτήσῃ, φονευτής ἐστι· θανάτῳ θανατούσθω ὁ φονευτής.
KJVAnd if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
JPSBut if he smote him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.
17
ThomsonAnd if he hath smitten him with a stone out of his hand, by which he might be killed, and he die; he is a murderer; let the murderer be put to death.
BrentonAnd if he should smite him with a stone thrown from his hand, whereby a man may die, and he thus die, he is a murderer; let the murderer by all means be put to death.
GreekἘὰν δὲ ἐν λίθῳ ἐκ χειρὸς ἐν ᾧ ἀποθανεῖται ἐν αὐτῷ, πατάξῃ αὐτὸν, καὶ ἀποθάνῃ, φονευτής ἐστι· θανάτῳ θανατούσθω ὁ φονευτής.
KJVAnd if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
JPSAnd if he smote him with a stone in the hand, whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.
18
ThomsonAnd if he hath smitten him with any instrument of wood out of his hand, by which he might be killed, and he die; he is a murderer; let the murderer be put to death.
BrentonAnd if he should smite him with an instrument of wood from his hand, whereby he may die, and he thus die, he is a murderer; let the murderer by all means be put to death.
GreekἘὰν δὲ ἐν σκεύει ξυλίνῳ ἐκ χειρὸς ἐξ οὗ ἀποθανεῖται ἐν αὐτῷ, πατάξῃ αὐτόν, καὶ ἀποθάνῃ, φονευτής ἐστι· θανάτῳ θανατούσθω ὁ φονευτής.
KJVOr if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
JPSOr if he smote him with a weapon of wood in the hand, whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.
19
ThomsonThe avenger of blood himself shall kill him. When he meeteth him he shall slay him.
BrentonThe avenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: whensoever he shall meet him he shall slay him.
GreekὉ ἀγχιστεύων τὸ αἷμα, οὗτος ἀποκτενεῖ τὸν φονεύσαντα· ὅταν συναντήσῃ αὐτῷ οὗτος, ἀποκτενεῖ αὐτόν.
KJVThe revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
JPSThe avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death; when he meeteth him, he shall put him to death.
20
ThomsonAnd if, through hatred, he hath pushed him down, or thrown at him from ambush, any instrument whatever, and he die,
BrentonAnd if he should thrust him through enmity, or cast any thing upon him from an ambuscade, and the man should die,
GreekἘὰν δὲ διʼ ἔχθραν ὤσῃ αὐτὸν, καὶ ἐπιῤῥίψῃ ἐπʼ αὐτὸν πᾶν σκεῦος ἐξ ἐνέδρου, καὶ ἀποθάνῃ,
KJVBut if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
JPSAnd if he thrust him of hatred, or hurled at him any thing, lying in wait, so that he died;
21
Thomsonor if on account of an old grudge he hath smitten him with his hand, and he die; let him who smote be put to death: he is a murderer; let the murderer be put to death. The avenger of blood shall slay the murderer when he meeteth him.
Brentonor if he have smitten him with his hand through anger, and the man should die, let the man that smote him be put to death by all means, he is a murderer: let the murderer by all means be put to death: the avenger of blood shall slay the murderer when he meets him.
Greekἢ διὰ μῆνιν ἐπάταξεν αὐτὸν τῇ χειρί, καὶ ἀποθάνῃ, θανάτῳ θανατούσθω ὁ πατάξας, φονευτής ἐστι· θανάτῳ θανατούσθω ὁ φονεύων· ὁ ἀγχιστεύων τὸ αἷμα ἀποκτενεῖ τὸν φονεύσαντα ἐν τῷ συναντῆσαι αὐτῷ.
KJVOr in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
JPSor in enmity smote him with his hand, that he died; he that smote him shall surely be put to death: he is a murderer; the avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meeteth him.
22
Thomson—
BrentonBut if he should thrust him suddenly, not through enmity, or cast any thing upon him, not from an ambuscade,
GreekἘὰν δὲ ἐξάπινα, οὐ διʼ ἔχθραν ὤσῃ αὐτὸν, ἢ ἐπιῤῥίψῃ ἐπʼ αὐτὸν πᾶν σκεῦος, οὐκ ἐξ ἐνέδρου,
KJVBut if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,
JPSBut if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or hurled upon him any thing without lying in wait,
23
Thomsonnor with any stone by which he might be killed, or not seeing him, and it light upon him, and he die, and he was not his enemy, nor seeking to do him any injury,
Brentonor smite him with any stone, whereby a man may die, unawares, and it should fall upon him, and he should die, but he was not his enemy, nor sought to hurt him;
Greekἢ παντὶ λίθῳ, ἐν ᾧ ἀποθανεῖται ἐν αὐτῷ, οὐκ εἰδὼς, καὶ ἐπιπέσῃ ἐπʼ αὐτὸν, καὶ ἀποθάνῃ, αὐτὸς δὲ οὐκ ἐχθρὸς αὐτοῦ ἦν, οὐδὲ ζητῶν κακοποιῆσαι αὐτόν·
KJVOr with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:
JPSor with any stone, whereby a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, so that he died, and he was not his enemy, neither sought his harm;
24
Thomsonthe congregation shall judge between him who smote, and the avenger of blood, according to these rules of decision;
Brentonthen the assembly shall judge between the smiter and the avenger of blood, according to these judgments.
Greekκαὶ κρινεῖ ἡ συναγωγὴ ἀναμέσον τοῦ πατάξαντος καὶ ἀναμέσον τοῦ ἀγχιστεύοντος τὸ αἷμα, κατὰ τὰ κρίματα ταῦτα.
KJVThen the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:
JPSthen the congregation shall judge between the smiter and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances;
25
Thomsonand the congregation shall deliver the slayer from the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall send him back to the city of his refuge, to which he fled; and he shall dwell there, till the death of the high priest, whom they have anointed with holy oil.
BrentonAnd the congregation shall rescue the slayer from the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, whither he fled for refuge; and he shall dwell there till the death of the high-priest, whom they anointed with the holy oil.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξελεῖται ἡ συναγωγὴ τὸν φονεύσαντα ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀγχιστεύοντος τὸ αἷμα, καὶ ἀποκαταστήσουσιν αὐτὸν ἡ συναγωγὴ εἰς τὴν πόλιν τοῦ φυγαδευτηρίου αὐτοῦ, οὗ κατέφυγε, καὶ κατοικήσει ἐκεῖ ἕως ἂν ἀποθάνῃ ὁ ἱερεὺς ὁ μέγας, ὃν ἔχρισαν αὐτὸν τῷ ἐλαίῳ τῷ ἁγίῳ.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSand the congregation shall deliver the manslayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, whither he was fled; and he shall dwell therein until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.
26
ThomsonAnd if the manslayer go out of the bounds of the city of his refuge to which he fled,
BrentonBut if the slayer should in any wise go out beyond the bounds of the city whither he fled for refuge,
GreekἘὰν δὲ ἐξόδῳ ἐξέλθῃ ὁ φονεύασς τὰ ὅρια τῆς πόλεως εἰς ἣν κατέφυγεν ἐκεῖ,
KJVBut if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;
JPSBut if the manslayer shall at any time go beyond the border of his city of refuge, whither he fleeth;
27
Thomsonand the avenger of blood find him out of the bounds of the city of his refuge, and the avenger of blood kill the slayer, he is not guilty of death.
Brentonand the avenger of blood should find him without the bounds of the city of his refuge, and the avenger of blood should kill the slayer, he is not guilty.
Greekκαὶ εὕρῃ αὐτὸν ὁ ἀγχιστεύων τὸ αἷμα ἔξω τῶν ὁρίων τῆς πόλεως καταφυγῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ φονεύσῃ ὁ ἀγχιστεύων τὸ αἷμα τὸν φονεύσαντα, οὐκ ἔνοχός ἐστιν.
KJVAnd 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:
JPSand the avenger of blood find him without the border of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood slay the manslayer; there shall be no bloodguiltiness for him;
28
ThomsonFor he should have remained in the city of refuge till the death of the high priest. After the death of the high priest the slayer may return to the land of his possession.
BrentonFor he ought to have remained in the city of refuge till the high-priest died; and after the death of the high-priest the slayer shall return to the land of his possession.
GreekἘν γὰρ τῇ πόλει τῆς καταφυγῆς κατοικείτω ἕως ἂν ἀποθάνῃ ὁ ἱερεὺς ὁ μέγας· καὶ μετὰ τὸ ἀποθανεῖν τὸν ἱερέα τὸν μέγαν, ἐπαναστραφήσεται ὁ φονεύσας εἰς τὴν γῆν τῆς κατασχέσεως αὐτοῦ.
KJVBecause 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.
JPSbecause he must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest; but after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return into the land of his possession.
29
ThomsonThese shall be your rules of decision, for your generations, in all your dwellings.
BrentonAnd these things shall be to you for an ordinance of judgment throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ταῦτα ὑμῖν εἰς δικαίωμα κρίματος εἰς τὰς γενεὰς ὑμῶν ἐν πάσαις ταῖς κατοικίαις ὑμῶν.
KJVSo these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
JPSAnd these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
30
ThomsonWhen any one hath slain a person, thou shalt put to death the murderer, by witnesses; but one witness shall not testify against a person to cause him to be put to death.
BrentonWhoever kills a man, thou shalt slay the murderer on the testimony of witnesses; and one witness shall not testify against a soul that he should die.
GreekΠᾶς πατάξας ψυχήν, διὰ μαρτύρων φονεύσεις τὸν φονεύσαντα· καὶ μάρτυς εἷς οὐ μαρτυρήσει ἐπὶ ψυχὴν ἀποθανεῖν.
KJVWhoso 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.
JPSWhoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be slain at the mouth of witnesses; but one witness shall not testify against any person that he die.
31
ThomsonAnd you shall take no ransom for life from a manslayer who is guilty of death; for he must be put to death:
BrentonAnd ye shall not accept ransoms for life from a murderer who is worthy of death, for he shall be surely put to death.
GreekΚαὶ οὐ λήψεσθε λύτρα περὶ ψυχῆς παρὰ τοῦ φονεύσαντος τοῦ ἐνόχου ὄντος ἀναιρεθῆναι· θανάτῳ γὰρ θανατωθήσεται.
KJVMoreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.
JPSMoreover ye shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer, that is guilty of death; but he shall surely be put to death.
32
Thomsonnor shall you take any ransom from him who hath fled to a city of refuge, that he may dwell again in his land, until the death of the high priest.
BrentonYe shall not accept a ransom to excuse his fleeing to the city of refuge, so that he should again dwell in the land, until the death of the high-priest.
GreekΟὐ λήψεσθε λύτρα τοῦ φυγεῖν εἰς πόλιν τῶν φυγαδευτηρίων, τοῦ πάλιν κατοικεῖν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἕως ἂν ἀποθάνῃ ὁ ἱερεὺς ὁ μέγας.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd ye shall take no ransom for him that is fled to his city of refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.
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ThomsonSo you will not pollute with blood the land in which you dwell; for this blood polluteth the land; and the land cannot be cleansed from the blood which is shed in it, but by the blood of him who shed it.
BrentonSo shall ye not pollute with murder the land in which ye dwell; for this blood pollutes the land, and the land shall not be purged from the blood shed upon it, but by the blood of him that shed it.
GreekΚαὶ οὐ μὴ φονοκτονήσητε τὴν γῆν εἰς ἣν ὑμεῖς κατοικεῖτε· τὸ γὰρ αἷμα τοῦτο φονοκτονεῖ τὴν γῆν, καὶ οὐκ ἐξιλασθήσεται ἡ γῆ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος τοῦ ἐκχυθέντος ἐπʼ αὐτῆς, ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ τοῦ αἵματος τοῦ ἐκχέοντος.
KJVSo 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.
JPSSo ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are; for blood, it polluteth the land; and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
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ThomsonYou must not defile the land in which you dwell—in which I dwell among you; for I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel.
BrentonAnd ye shall not defile the land whereon ye dwell, on which I dwell in the midst of you; for I am the Lord dwelling in the midst of the children of Israel.
GreekΚαὶ οὐ μιανεῖτε τὴν γῆν ἐφʼ ἧς κατοικεῖτε ἐπʼ αὐτῆς, ἐφʼ ἧς ἐγὼ κατασκηνώ ἐν ὑμῖν· ἐγὼ γάρ εἰμι Κύριος κατασκηνῶν ἐν μέσῳ τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ.
KJVDefile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.
JPSAnd thou shalt not defile the land which ye inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the children of Israel.’