So 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.
So you must not pollute the land where you live, because bloodshed defiles the land. The land cannot be cleansed from the blood that is spilled on it, except by the blood of the one who spilled it.
This verse is saying that murder pollutes the land itself, and the only way to cleanse it is through the execution of the murderer.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from God's instructions to the Israelites about cities of refuge and dealing with murder cases. In ancient Israel, bloodshed was understood to have spiritual consequences that affected not just individuals but the very land itself. The law required that intentional murderers be executed to maintain both justice and the spiritual purity of the Promised Land.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.