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Numbers 35:33 Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it.
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Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/35.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />This will ensure that the land where you live will not be polluted, for murder pollutes the land. And no sacrifice except the execution of the murderer can purify the land from murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/35.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/35.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/35.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye <i>are</i>: 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/35.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So you shall not pollute the land where you <i>are;</i> for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/35.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So you shall not defile the land in which you <i>live;</i> for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of the one who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/35.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />‘So you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/35.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘So you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/35.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land, and no propitiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/35.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So you shall not pollute <i>and</i> defile the land in which you live; for [the shedding of innocent] blood pollutes <i>and</i> defiles the land. No atonement (expiation) can be made for the land for the [innocent] blood shed in it, except by the blood (execution) of him who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/35.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do not defile the land where you live, for bloodshed defiles the land, and there can be no atonement for the land because of the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of the person who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/35.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not defile the land where you are, for bloodshed defiles the land, and there can be no atonement for the land because of the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of the person who shed it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/35.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />So 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/35.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />So 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/35.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"You must not pollute the land where you live. Murder is what pollutes the land. The land where a murder was committed can never make peace with the LORD except through the death of the murderer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/35.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If you did this, you would defile the land where you are living. Murder defiles the land, and except by the death of the murderer there is no way to perform the ritual of purification for the land where someone has been murdered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/35.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You are not to pollute the land where you live, because blood defiles the land, and the land cannot atone for blood that has been spilled on it, except through the blood of the one who spilled it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/35.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/35.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"You must not pollute the land where you live, for blood defiles the land, and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed there, except by the blood of the person who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/35.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"'So you shall not pollute the land in which you are: for blood, it pollutes the land; and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, but by the blood of him who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/35.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />So ye shall not pollute the land in which ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed in it, but by the blood of him that shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/35.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“‘So you shall not pollute the land where you live; for blood pollutes the land. No atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, but by the blood of him who shed it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/35.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And you do not profane the land which you [are] in, for blood profanes the land; as for the land, it is not pardoned for blood which is shed in it except by the blood of him who sheds it;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/35.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And ye profane not the land which ye are in, for blood profaneth the land; as to the land, it is not pardoned for blood which is shed in it except by the blood of him who sheddeth it;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/35.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And ye shall not pollute the land which ye are in it: for blood it will pollute the land: and for the land it will not be expiated for the blood which was poured out upon it but by the blood of him shedding.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/35.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Defile not the land of your habitation, which is stained with the blood of the innocent: neither can it otherwise be expiated, but by his blood that hath shed the blood of another. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/35.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Do not pollute the land of your habitation, so as to stain it with the blood of the innocent; neither is it able to be expiated in any way other than by the blood of him who has shed the blood of another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/35.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You will not pollute the land where you live. For bloodshed pollutes the land, and the land can have no expiation for the blood shed on it except through the blood of the one who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/35.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not pollute the land in which you live; for blood pollutes the land, and no expiation can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/35.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So you shall not pollute the land in which you live; for blood defiles the land; and the land in which blood is shed cannot be cleansed except by the shedding of the blood of him who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/35.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And you shall not defile the land in which you dwell, because blood defiles the land, and the land where blood is shed will not be spared for it unless the blood of him who shed it is shed in it.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/35.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />So 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/35.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />So 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/35-33.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=11005" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/35.htm">Six Cities of Refuge</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">32</span>Nor should you accept a ransom for the person who flees to a city of refuge and allow him to return and live on his own land before the death of the high priest. <span class="reftext">33</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2610.htm" title="2610: ṯa·ḥă·nî·p̄ū (V-Hifil-Imperf-2mp) -- To be polluted or profane. A primitive root; to soil, especially in a moral sense.">pollute</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">where</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tem (Pro-2mp) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/bāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- ">live,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: had·dām (Art:: N-ms) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">bloodshed</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2610.htm" title="2610: ya·ḥă·nîp̄ (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- To be polluted or profane. A primitive root; to soil, especially in a moral sense.">pollutes</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the land,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and no</a> <a href="/hebrew/3722.htm" title="3722: yə·ḵup·par (V-Pual-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to cover; figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel.">atonement can be made</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: wə·lā·’ā·reṣ (Conj-w, Prep-l, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">for the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: lad·dām (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">on which the blood</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8210.htm" title="8210: šup·paḵ- (V-QalPass-Perf-3ms) -- To pour out, pour. A primitive root; to spill forth; also to expend; intensively, to sprawl out.">is shed,</a> <a href="/hebrew/bāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">except</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: bə·ḏam (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">by the blood</a> <a href="/hebrew/8210.htm" title="8210: šō·p̄ə·ḵōw (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 3ms) -- To pour out, pour. A primitive root; to spill forth; also to expend; intensively, to sprawl out.">of the one who shed it.</a> </span><span class="reftext">34</span>Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a></span><br />Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-10.htm">Deuteronomy 19:10</a></span><br />Thus innocent blood will not be shed in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-1.htm">Deuteronomy 21:1-9</a></span><br />If one is found slain, lying in a field in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him, / your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities. / Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-38.htm">Psalm 106:38</a></span><br />They shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/26-21.htm">Isaiah 26:21</a></span><br />For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-6.htm">Jeremiah 7:6</a></span><br />if you no longer oppress the foreigner and the fatherless and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-3.htm">Ezekiel 22:3-4</a></span><br />and tell her that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘O city who brings her own doom by shedding blood within her walls and making idols to defile herself, / you are guilty of the blood you have shed, and you are defiled by the idols you have made. You have brought your days to a close and have come to the end of your years. Therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations and a mockery to all the lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/24-7.htm">Ezekiel 24:7-8</a></span><br />For the blood she shed is still within her; she poured it out on the bare rock; she did not pour it on the ground to cover it with dust. / In order to stir up wrath and take vengeance, I have placed her blood on the bare rock, so that it would not be covered.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Matthew 23:35</a></span><br />And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-50.htm">Luke 11:50-51</a></span><br />As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, / from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-4.htm">Romans 13:4</a></span><br />For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-24.htm">Hebrews 12:24</a></span><br />to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/6-10.htm">Revelation 6:10</a></span><br />And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-24.htm">Revelation 18:24</a></span><br />And there was found in her the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who had been slain on the earth.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">So you shall not pollute the land wherein you are: for blood it defiles the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.</p><p class="hdg">it defileth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/18-25.htm">Leviticus 18:25</a></b></br> And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/21-1.htm">Deuteronomy 21:1-8,23</a></b></br> If <i>one</i> be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, <i>and</i> it be not known who hath slain him: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/23-26.htm">2 Kings 23:26</a></b></br> Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.</p><p class="hdg">the land cannot be cleansed.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/35-32.htm">Atonement</a> <a href="/numbers/35-27.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/exodus/22-3.htm">Bloodshed</a> <a href="/numbers/35-30.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/numbers/19-19.htm">Cleansed</a> <a href="/numbers/35-32.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/19-13.htm">Defileth</a> <a href="/numbers/32-12.htm">Except</a> <a href="/numbers/8-7.htm">Expiation</a> <a href="/numbers/35-32.htm">Live</a> <a href="/numbers/30-15.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/numbers/32-14.htm">Making</a> <a href="/numbers/14-20.htm">Pardoned</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-9.htm">Polluteth</a> <a href="/numbers/18-32.htm">Profane</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-9.htm">Profaneth</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-4.htm">Shed</a> <a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Sheddeth</a> <a href="/numbers/35-25.htm">Therein</a> <a href="/numbers/26-61.htm">Unholy</a> <a href="/numbers/35-26.htm">Way</a> <a href="/numbers/34-13.htm">Wherein</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/21-8.htm">Atonement</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-16.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-10.htm">Bloodshed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-17.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/joshua/22-17.htm">Cleansed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-16.htm">Death</a> <a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Defileth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-36.htm">Except</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-43.htm">Expiation</a> <a href="/numbers/35-34.htm">Live</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-20.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-28.htm">Making</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-8.htm">Pardoned</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-9.htm">Polluteth</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-17.htm">Profane</a> <a href="/exodus/31-14.htm">Profaneth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-10.htm">Shed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-3.htm">Sheddeth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-10.htm">Therein</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-5.htm">Unholy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-2.htm">Way</a> <a href="/numbers/35-34.htm">Wherein</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 35</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-1.htm">Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Six of them are to be cities of refuge</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-9.htm">The laws of murder and manslaughter</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-31.htm">No satisfaction for murder</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The land is not just a physical space but a divine inheritance from God, meant to be kept holy. The concept of pollution here is not environmental but moral and spiritual, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His people. The Israelites were to maintain purity in the land as a reflection of their obedience to God’s laws.<p><b>for bloodshed pollutes the land</b><br>Bloodshed, particularly murder, is seen as a grave sin that defiles the land. In ancient Israel, the shedding of innocent blood was a serious offense that disrupted the community's relationship with God. This reflects the belief that life is sacred, as humans are made in the image of God (<a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a>). The land itself is affected by such acts, indicating a deep connection between the moral actions of the people and the physical state of the land.<p><b>and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed</b><br>Atonement refers to the process of making amends or reparation for sin. In the context of ancient Israel, atonement was typically achieved through sacrifices and offerings. However, this phrase indicates that certain sins, like murder, have such severe consequences that they cannot be easily rectified. The land remains defiled until justice is served, highlighting the seriousness of the crime and the need for divine justice.<p><b>except by the blood of the one who shed it</b><br>This principle of justice is rooted in the concept of retributive justice, often summarized as "an eye for an eye" (<a href="/exodus/21-23.htm">Exodus 21:23-25</a>). The only way to cleanse the land from the pollution of murder is through the execution of the murderer. This reflects the idea that the punishment must fit the crime, ensuring that justice is served. In a broader theological context, this can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed to atone for the sins of humanity, fulfilling the need for justice and reconciliation with God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were given the Law through Moses and were journeying to the Promised Land.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_promised_land.htm">The Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. It was to be a holy place where God would dwell among His people.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, who received the Law from God and communicated it to the people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who desires holiness and justice among His people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/cities_of_refuge.htm">Cities of Refuge</a></b><br>Designated cities where those accused of manslaughter could seek asylum until a fair trial, emphasizing justice and the sanctity of life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctity_of_life.htm">The Sanctity of Life</a></b><br>The verse emphasizes the importance of valuing human life. As believers, we are called to uphold the sanctity of life in all circumstances, recognizing that life is a gift from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_among_his_people.htm">God's Presence Among His People</a></b><br>Just as God dwelt among the Israelites, He dwells within us through the Holy Spirit. We must live in a way that honors His presence, avoiding actions that defile our spiritual "land."<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_holiness.htm">The Call to Holiness</a></b><br>The Israelites were called to maintain the purity of the land. Similarly, Christians are called to live holy lives, set apart for God's purposes, reflecting His character in a fallen world.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_righteousness.htm">Justice and Righteousness</a></b><br>The provision of cities of refuge highlights God's concern for justice. We are called to pursue justice and righteousness in our communities, ensuring fairness and protection for all.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The defilement of the land was a communal concern. As a church, we share responsibility for maintaining spiritual and moral integrity within our community.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_35.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 35</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_a_heifer_sacrifice_resolve_guilt.htm">Deuteronomy 21:1–9: How does sacrificing a heifer in a remote valley effectively resolve guilt for an unsolved murder? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jer._3_2_say_idolatry_'polluted'.htm">Why does Jeremiah 3:2 claim the land is “polluted” by idolatry when archaeological records provide no definitive evidence of such ecological devastation? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_littering_considered_a_sin.htm">Is littering considered a sin?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_joshua_20_1-6_align_with_mosaic_laws.htm">How does the system of protection for manslaughter in Joshua 20:1–6 align or conflict with other Mosaic laws on homicide and justice? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/35.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 33.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The land cannot be cleansed.</span> Literally, "there is no expiation (<span class="hebrew">יְכֻפַר</span>) for the land." Septuagint, <span class="greek">οὐχ ἐξιλασθήσεται ἡ γῆ</span>. By these expressions the Lord places the sin of murder in its true light, as a sin against himself. The land, his land, is defiled with the blood of the slain, and nothing can do away with the guilt which cleaves to it but the strict execution of Divine justice upon the murderer. Money might satisfy the relatives of the slain, but cannot satisfy his Maker. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/35-33.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pollute</span><br /><span class="heb">תַחֲנִ֣יפוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯa·ḥă·nî·p̄ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2610.htm">Strong's 2610: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be polluted or profane</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the land</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָ֗רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">where</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֤ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתֶּם֙</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">live,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּ֔הּ</span> <span class="translit">(bāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bloodshed</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדָּ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(had·dām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pollutes</span><br /><span class="heb">יַחֲנִ֖יף</span> <span class="translit">(ya·ḥă·nîp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2610.htm">Strong's 2610: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be polluted or profane</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the land,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָ֑רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and no</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">atonement can be made</span><br /><span class="heb">יְכֻפַּ֗ר</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḵup·par)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3722.htm">Strong's 3722: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cover, to expiate, condone, to placate, cancel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the land</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלָאָ֣רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on which the blood</span><br /><span class="heb">לַדָּם֙</span> <span class="translit">(lad·dām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is shed,</span><br /><span class="heb">שֻׁפַּךְ־</span> <span class="translit">(šup·paḵ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - QalPass - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8210.htm">Strong's 8210: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">except</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by the blood</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּדַ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḏam)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the one who shed it.</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁפְכֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(šō·p̄ə·ḵōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8210.htm">Strong's 8210: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/35-33.htm">OT Law: Numbers 35:33 So you shall not pollute the land (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/35-32.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 35:32"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 35:32" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/35-34.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 35:34"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 35:34" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>