Numbers 35:31 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →No ransom or compensation can be paid to spare a convicted murderer from execution.
The Context of Numbers 35:31
Murderers must face execution; no financial redemption is permitted.
What Does Numbers 35:31 Mean?
A murderer guilty of death cannot purchase his way out through payment to the victim's family. The law forbids such exchanges. Blood-guilt requires blood justice; money cannot substitute.
This prevents wealthy murderers from escaping consequences while poor ones face execution. It also prevents families from profiting from murder. Murder is an offense against the whole community and God, not merely a debt to be paid.
Numbers 35:31 in the Original Language
satisfaction (כֹּפֶר, kofer) — a ransom or payment for atonement, literally 'covering,' often money exchanged to settle a debt.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 35:31
What does Numbers 35:31 mean?
No ransom or compensation can be paid to spare a convicted murderer from execution.
What is the context of Numbers 35:31?
Murderers must face execution; no financial redemption is permitted.