Num 35:33-34 | TNotes | STEP | 35:33 for murder pollutes the land: If the slayer in either a homicide or involuntary manslaughter were not dealt with as commanded, God regarded the land as polluted , because human bloodshed required death (Gen 4:10-11 ; 9:6 ; contrast Exod 21:29-30 ; see also Lev 18:28 ; Ezek 36:17-18 ; Hos 4:2-3 ). In its stern warning about the evil of murder, this entire passage highlights the absolute value of human life (Exod 20:13 ).

a35:33►

bGen 4:10-11►

c9:6►

dExod 21:29-30►

eLev 18:28►

fEzek 36:17-18►

gHos 4:2-3►

hExod 20:13►

i35:34►

j1–4►

k5:1-4►

‏ Numbers 35:33-34

35:33 ^a for murder pollutes the land: If the slayer in either a homicide or involuntary manslaughter were not dealt with as commanded, God regarded the land as polluted, because human bloodshed required death (Gen 4:10-11 ^b; 9:6 ^c; contrast Exod 21:29-30 ^d; see also Lev 18:28 ^e; Ezek 36:17-18 ^f; Hos 4:2-3 ^g). In its stern warning about the evil of murder, this entire passage highlights the absolute value of human life (Exod 20:13 ^h).
35:34 ⁱ The Lord lived among the people of Israel even as the Tabernacle stood in the middle of the Hebrew camp (see chs 1–4 ^j). This meant that they must not defile their land by ignoring God’s commands or by failing to uphold justice (cp. 5:1-4 ^k).