Numbers 35:34
New International Version
Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.’”

New Living Translation
You must not defile the land where you live, for I live there myself. I am the LORD, who lives among the people of Israel.”

English Standard Version
You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the people of Israel.”

Berean Standard Bible
Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.”

King James Bible
Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.

New King James Version
Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
So you shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD am dwelling in the midst of the sons of Israel.’”

NASB 1995
‘You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD am dwelling in the midst of the sons of Israel.’”

NASB 1977
‘And you shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD am dwelling in the midst of the sons of Israel.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
And you shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell; for I Yahweh am dwelling in the midst of the sons of Israel.’”

Amplified Bible
You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I live, for I, the LORD, live among the people of Israel.’”

Christian Standard Bible
Do not make the land unclean where you live and where I dwell; for I, the LORD, reside among the Israelites.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Do not make the land unclean where you live and where I reside; for I, Yahweh, reside among the Israelites.”

American Standard Version
And thou shalt not defile the land which ye inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell: for I, Jehovah, dwell in the midst of the children of Israel.

English Revised Version
And thou shalt not defile the land which ye inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell: for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the children of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Never make the land where you and I live unclean. I, the LORD, live among the Israelites."

Good News Translation
Do not defile the land where you are living, because I am the LORD and I live among the people of Israel."

International Standard Version
You are not to defile the land where you will be living, because I'm living among you. I am the LORD, who lives in Israel."

Majority Standard Bible
Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.”

NET Bible
Therefore do not defile the land that you will inhabit, in which I live, for I the LORD live among the Israelites."

New Heart English Bible
You shall not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell: for I, the LORD, dwell in the midst of the children of Israel.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, in which I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.

World English Bible
You shall not defile the land which you inhabit, where I dwell; for I, Yahweh, dwell among the children of Israel.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you do not defile the land in which you are dwelling, in the midst of which I dwell, for I, YHWH, dwell in the midst of the sons of Israel.”

Young's Literal Translation
and ye defile not the land in which ye are dwelling, in the midst of which I do tabernacle, for I Jehovah do tabernacle in the midst of the sons of Israel.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou shalt not defile the land which ye shall dwell upon it, which I dwell in the midst of it: for I Jehovah dwell in the midst of the sons of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And thus shall your possession he cleansed, myself abiding with you. For I am the Lord that dwell among the children of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so shall your possession be cleansed, while I myself am abiding with you. For I am the Lord, who lives among the sons of Israel.”

New American Bible
Do not defile the land in which you live and in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the Israelites.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall not defile the land in which you live, in which I also dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the Israelites.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Defile not therefore the land in which you dwell, and wherein I dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you shall not defile the land in which you dwell, for I camp within it, because I AM LORD JEHOVAH, for I camp among the children of Israel.’”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And thou shalt not defile the land which ye inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the children of Israel.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And ye shall not defile the land whereon ye dwell, on which I dwell in the midst of you; for I am the Lord dwelling in the midst of the children of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Six Cities of Refuge
33Do 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. 34Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.”

Cross References
Leviticus 18:25-28
Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants. / But you are to keep My statutes and ordinances, and you must not commit any of these abominations—neither your native-born nor the foreigner who lives among you. / For the men who were in the land before you committed all these abominations, and the land has become defiled. ...

Deuteronomy 21:23
you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

Psalm 106:38
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.

Jeremiah 2:7
I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and bounty, but you came and defiled My land and made My inheritance detestable.

Ezekiel 36:17-18
“Son of man, when the people of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds. Their behavior before Me was like the uncleanness of a woman’s impurity. / So I poured out My wrath upon them because of the blood they had shed on the land, and because they had defiled it with their idols.

Isaiah 24:5-6
The earth is defiled by its people; they have transgressed the laws; they have overstepped the decrees and broken the everlasting covenant. / Therefore a curse has consumed the earth, and its inhabitants must bear the guilt; the earth’s dwellers have been burned, and only a few survive.

Genesis 6:11-13
Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and full of violence. / And God looked upon the earth and saw that it was corrupt; for all living creatures on the earth had corrupted their ways. / Then God said to Noah, “The end of all living creatures has come before Me, because through them the earth is full of violence. Now behold, I will destroy both them and the earth.

Leviticus 20:22
You are therefore to keep all My statutes and ordinances, so that the land where I am bringing you to live will not vomit you out.

Jeremiah 16:18
And I will first repay them double their iniquity and their sin, because they have defiled My land with the carcasses of their detestable idols, and they have filled My inheritance with their abominations.”

Ezekiel 22:24
“Son of man, say to her, ‘In the day of indignation, you are a land that has not been cleansed, upon which no rain has fallen.’

Revelation 11:18
The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead and to reward Your servants the prophets, as well as the saints and those who fear Your name, both small and great—and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

Romans 8:21-22
that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. / We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.

Matthew 5:35
or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

2 Peter 3:13
But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Revelation 21:1-3
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. / I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. / And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.


Treasury of Scripture

Defile not therefore the land which you shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.

defile not

Numbers 5:3
Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell.

Leviticus 20:24-26
But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people…

I dwell

Psalm 135:21
Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Hosea 9:3
They shall not dwell in the LORD'S land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.

dwell among

Numbers 5:3
Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell.

Exodus 25:8
And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

Exodus 29:45,46
And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God…

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Numbers 35
1. Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof
6. Six of them are to be cities of refuge
9. The laws of murder and manslaughter
31. No satisfaction for murder














Do not defile
The Hebrew word for "defile" is "טָמֵא" (tamei), which means to make unclean or impure. In the context of ancient Israel, defilement was not just a physical state but a spiritual one, affecting the relationship between God and His people. The command to avoid defilement underscores the importance of holiness and purity in the life of the Israelites. It serves as a reminder that their actions have spiritual consequences, and maintaining purity is essential for God's presence to remain among them.

the land
The term "land" in Hebrew is "אֶרֶץ" (eretz), which can refer to the earth, a country, or a specific territory. For the Israelites, the Promised Land was a sacred gift from God, a place set apart for His people. The land was not just a physical space but a symbol of God's covenant and faithfulness. The command to keep the land undefiled highlights the responsibility of the Israelites to honor God's gift and maintain the sanctity of the place where He has chosen to dwell.

where you live
This phrase emphasizes the personal and communal aspect of the command. The land is not just a distant or abstract concept; it is the place where the Israelites reside, build their homes, and raise their families. It is a reminder that their daily lives and actions contribute to the spiritual state of the land. The call to holiness is not just for religious leaders but for every individual, as each person's conduct impacts the community and the presence of God among them.

and where I dwell
The Hebrew word for "dwell" is "שָׁכַן" (shakan), which means to reside or inhabit. This word is related to "Shekinah," a term used to describe the divine presence of God. The statement that God dwells among the Israelites is profound, indicating that He is not a distant deity but one who is intimately involved in the lives of His people. His presence is a source of guidance, protection, and blessing, and it requires the people to live in a manner that honors His holiness.

For I, the LORD
The use of "I, the LORD" (YHWH) is a powerful assertion of God's identity and authority. YHWH is the personal name of God, revealed to Moses at the burning bush, signifying His eternal existence and covenant relationship with Israel. This phrase serves as a reminder of who is giving the command and the weight it carries. It is not merely a suggestion but a divine mandate from the Creator and Sustainer of all.

dwell among the Israelites
The phrase "dwell among the Israelites" reiterates the unique relationship between God and His chosen people. Unlike the gods of other nations, who were often seen as remote and capricious, the God of Israel is present and active in the midst of His people. This presence is both a privilege and a responsibility, as it calls the Israelites to live in a way that reflects God's character and upholds His standards. The indwelling of God among them is a foretaste of the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell with His people eternally, as seen in the New Testament through the coming of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Verse 34. - For I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel. Therefore the murderer's hand is raised against me; the blood of the slain is ever before my eyes, its cry for vengeance ever in my ears (cf. Genesis 4:10; Matthew 23:35; Revelation 6:10).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do not
וְלֹ֧א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

defile
תְטַמֵּ֣א (ṯə·ṭam·mê)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean

the land
הָאָ֗רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

where
אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you
אַתֶּם֙ (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

live
יֹשְׁבִ֣ים (yō·šə·ḇîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

and where
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I
אֲנִ֖י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

dwell.
שֹׁכֵ֣ן (šō·ḵên)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell

For
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I,
אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

the LORD,
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

dwell
שֹׁכֵ֕ן (šō·ḵên)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell

among
בְּתוֹכָ֑הּ (bə·ṯō·w·ḵāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

the Israelites.”
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son


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OT Law: Numbers 35:34 You shall not defile the land which (Nu Num.)
Numbers 35:33
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