Numbers 35:34 Meaning and Explanation
“Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel must protect the land from defilement because God dwells among them.
The Context of Numbers 35:34
God's dwelling in Israel makes the land sacred and justice necessary.
What Does Numbers 35:34 Mean?
God's presence among the people makes the land sacred. Unpunished bloodshed drives God away and renders the land unholy. Israel's responsibility is to maintain purity by executing murderers and protecting manslayers.
The appeal returns to covenant language. God's dwelling among Israel is conditional on their obedience to these laws. Justice preserves both land and the presence of the Lord.
Numbers 35:34 in the Original Language
dwell (שׁכַן, shakan) — to tabernacle or dwell, often used of God's presence in the sanctuary and among his people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 35:34
What does Numbers 35:34 mean?
Israel must protect the land from defilement because God dwells among them.
What is the context of Numbers 35:34?
God's dwelling in Israel makes the land sacred and justice necessary.