1
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה אֶל יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ לֵאמֹֽר
And the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying,
Opens the chapter with a fresh divine speech-act formula, continuing the wayyiqtol narrative chain from the tribal-allotment section (chs. 13-19); YHWH now turns to legislating the cities of refuge, the last piece of unfinished business from Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֣רand he spokewaw-consec + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the narrative opens with divine speechדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel wayyiqtol continuing the narrative chain from ch.19; introduces direct divine instruction.
יְהוָ֔הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of God; subject of the speech-formula that opens the chapter.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Joshua as the recipient of the divine word.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַJoshuaN proper · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Object of preposition אֶליְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'YHWH is salvation'; Moses's successor, addressee of the command.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive of speech introducing direct discourse→ Infinitive construct: marks the transition into quoted speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard formula introducing the following direct quotation.
2
דַּבֵּ֛ר אֶל בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר תְּנ֤וּ לָכֶם֙ אֶת עָרֵ֣י הַמִּקְלָ֔ט אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּ֥רְתִּי אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם בְּיַד מֹשֶֽׁה
Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'Appoint for yourselves the cities of refuge of which I spoke to you by the hand of Moses,'
YHWH's command to Joshua contains a nested command for Joshua to relay verbatim to the people; the relative clause 'of which I spoke to you by the hand of Moses' explicitly grounds the institution in the prior legislation of Num 35:9-34 and Deut 19:1-13, casting this chapter as fulfillment rather than new law.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
דַּבֵּ֛רSpeakPiel impv 2ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause of quoted speech)→ Volitional: direct commandדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; imperative opening YHWH's instruction to Joshua.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to'; introduces the addressee of the command.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival), head of 'sons of Israel'בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural in the standard idiom 'sons of Israel' = the Israelite people.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain, second member)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the covenant nation, addressed corporately through Joshua.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive of speech introducing direct discourse→ Infinitive construct: marks the transition into quoted speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the content of what Joshua is to tell the people.
תְּנ֤וּGive / appointQal impv 2mp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: a corporate command to institute the citiesנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, set, appoint'; here 'designate, assign' — the act of legally establishing the refuge cities.
לָכֶם֙for yourselvesprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of advantageלְ + 2mp suffix; reflexive-benefactive nuance, 'for your own use.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking עָרֵי הַמִּקְלָט as the definite direct object; untranslated.
עָרֵ֣יcities ofN f pl constr · עִיר (H5892)Direct object (construct head)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; construct plural governing הַמִּקְלָט, 'cities of refuge.'
הַמִּקְלָ֔טthe refugeart + N m sg abs · מִקְלָט (H4733)Genitive (construct chain, second member)מִקְלָט (H4733) 'refuge, asylum', from קלט 'to gather in, receive'; the technical term for the six cities legislated in Num 35 and Deut 19, now enacted here.
אֲשֶׁרof whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; introduces the clause recalling YHWH's prior instruction through Moses.
דִּבַּ֥רְתִּיI spokePiel perf 1cs · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed prior act of speech (retrospective — Num 35; Deut 19)דָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; first-person perfect — YHWH recalls his own earlier legislation, making this chapter its fulfillment.
אֲלֵיכֶ֖םto youprep אֶל + 2mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (indirect object)אֶל (H413) + 2mp suffix; the addressees are the people through Moses.
בְּיַדby the hand ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · יָד (H3027)Adverbial (instrumental/agency phrase)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom 'by the hand of' = through the agency/mediation of.
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition (genitive, construct chain)מֹשֶׁה (H4872); the mediator through whom the original refuge-city law was given (Num 35:9-34; Deut 19:1-13).
3
לָנ֥וּס שָׁ֨מָּה֙ רוֹצֵ֔חַ מַכֵּה נֶ֥פֶשׁ בִּשְׁגָגָ֖ה בִּבְלִי דָ֑עַת וְהָי֤וּ לָכֶם֙ לְמִקְלָ֔ט מִגֹּאֵ֖ל הַדָּֽם
that the manslayer who strikes a person unintentionally, without knowledge, may flee there; and they shall be for you a refuge from the redeemer of blood.
The infinitive לָנוּס states the cities' purpose; the manslayer is defined narrowly — striking 'without knowledge' (בִּבְלִי־דַעַת) — establishing from the outset that only unintentional killers qualify for asylum, not premeditated murderers.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
לָנ֥וּסto fleeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נוּס (H5127)Purpose/result infinitive (subordinate to תְּנוּ of v.2)→ Infinitive construct: expresses purpose — the goal of appointing the citiesנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; the cities' purpose-infinitive, governing the rest of v.3.
שָׁ֨מָּה֙there(to)adv + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial (locative, directional)שָׁם (H8033) 'there' + he-locale, 'thither'; the cities as destination of the manslayer's flight.
רוֹצֵ֔חַthe manslayerQal ptc m sg abs · רָצַח (H7523)Subject of לָנוּס (in apposition, substantival participle)→ Participle: characterizes an ongoing category/class of person — 'the one who kills'רָצַח (H7523) 'to kill, slay'; substantival participle, the technical legal term for the manslayer whose case this law addresses (distinguished from premeditated murder by the qualifiers that follow).
מַכֵּהstrikingHiphil ptc m sg constr · נָכָה (H5221)Participle in apposition to רוֹצֵחַ, governing נֶפֶשׁ→ Participle: describes the manslayer's characteristic actנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike, smite'; Hiphil participle construct, 'one striking/who strikes a person' — defines the act constituting the killing.
נֶ֥פֶשׁa personN (c) sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Direct object of מַכֵּהנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, person'; here the victim, 'a person/soul.'
בִּשְׁגָגָ֖הby mistakeprep בְּ + N f sg abs · שְׁגָגָה (H7684)Adverbial (manner)שְׁגָגָה (H7684) 'error, inadvertence', from שגה 'to go astray'; the legal category of unintentional homicide (cf. Num 35:11).
בִּבְלִיwithoutprep בְּ + N m sg constr · בְּלִי (H1097)Adverbial (negation of knowledge, construct head)בְּלִי (H1097) 'without, lack of'; construct with דַעַת forming the idiom 'without knowledge' — no premeditation or awareness.
דָ֑עַתknowledgeN f sg abs · דַּעַת (H1847)Genitive (construct chain, second member)דַּעַת (H1847) 'knowledge', from ידע; here 'without knowledge' (בִּבְלִי־דַעַת) is the technical phrase distinguishing accidental from intentional killing.
וְהָי֤וּand they shall bewaw-consec + Qal weqatal 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal continuing the main line (result/purpose)→ Weqatal: continuation of volitional/purpose sequence — the cities' ongoing legal statusהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; weqatal continues the purpose clause begun with לָנוּס, stating the cities' abiding function.
לָכֶם֙for youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of advantageלְ + 2mp suffix; benefactive, 'for you (Israel).'
לְמִקְלָ֔טas a refugeprep לְ + N m sg abs · מִקְלָט (H4733)Predicate complement (lamed of predication)מִקְלָט (H4733) 'refuge, asylum'; predicate noun with לְ, 'to be for a refuge.'
מִגֹּאֵ֖לfrom the redeemer ofprep מִן + Qal ptc m sg constr · גָּאַל (H1350)Prepositional phrase (source/separation), construct head→ Participle: substantival, a recurring legal office/roleגָּאַל (H1350) 'to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer'; participle 'redeemer,' here in its grim juridical sense — the next-of-kin obligated to avenge bloodshed (גֹּאֵל הַדָּם, cf. Num 35:19).
הַדָּֽםthe bloodart + N m sg abs · דָּם (H1818)Genitive (construct chain, second member)דָּם (H1818) 'blood'; construct with גֹּאֵל forms the fixed legal title 'blood-redeemer/avenger of blood,' the victim's kinsman with the right (and duty) of retribution absent asylum.
4
וְנָ֞ס אֶל אַחַ֣ת מֵהֶעָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה וְעָמַד֙ פֶּ֚תַח שַׁ֣עַר הָעִ֔יר וְדִבֶּ֛ר בְּאָזְנֵ֛י זִקְנֵ֥י הָעִֽיר הַהִ֖יא אֶת דְּבָרָ֑יו וְאָסְפ֨וּ אֹת֤וֹ הָעִ֨ירָה֙ אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וְנָתְנוּ ל֥וֹ מָק֖וֹם וְיָשַׁ֥ב עִמָּֽם
And he shall flee to one of these cities, and stand at the entrance of the city gate, and state his case in the hearing of the elders of that city; and they shall take him into the city to themselves, and give him a place, and he shall dwell with them.
Verses 4-6 form the MT's distinctive procedural expansion — absent from LXX-B — detailing the gate hearing before the local elders; a chain of weqatal verbs (flee, stand, speak, gather-in, give, dwell) narrates the legal process step by step, giving the elders an active adjudicating role.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וְנָ֞סand he shall fleewaw-consec + Qal weqatal 3ms · נוּס (H5127)Weqatal continuing main narrative/legal sequence→ Weqatal: sequential legal instruction — the manslayer's first actionנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; weqatal opening the procedural sequence of vv.4-6, the MT's distinctive elaboration.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the destination city.
אַחַ֣תonenumeral f sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Object of preposition (partitive)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; feminine form agreeing with עִיר, 'one of these cities.'
מֵהֶעָרִ֣יםfrom the citiesprep מִן + art + N f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Partitive genitive (source)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; partitive מִן, 'from the cities' — i.e. one of the six just designated.
הָאֵ֗לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הֶעָרִיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; points back to the cities of refuge just named in principle (specified in vv.7-8).
וְעָמַד֙and he shall standwaw-consec + Qal weqatal 3ms · עָמַד (H5975)Weqatal continuing procedural sequence→ Weqatal: sequential legal instructionעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; the manslayer's public presentation of himself at the city gate, the site of civic and judicial business.
פֶּ֚תַחthe entrance ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Adverbial (locative, construct head)פֶּתַח (H6607) 'opening, entrance'; construct governing שַׁעַר, 'entrance of the gate.'
שַׁ֣עַרthe gate ofN m sg constr · שַׁעַר (H8179)Genitive (construct chain)שַׁעַר (H8179) 'gate'; the city gate was the seat of legal proceedings and elders' deliberation in Israel.
הָעִ֔ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive (construct chain, second member)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; the refuge city he has fled to.
וְדִבֶּ֛רand he shall speakwaw-consec + Piel weqatal 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Weqatal continuing procedural sequence→ Weqatal: sequential legal instruction — the manslayer states his caseדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; he must plead his case orally before the town elders, part of the MT's plus (absent in LXX-B).
בְּאָזְנֵ֛יin the ears ofprep בְּ + N f du constr · אֹזֶן (H241)Adverbial (locative/manner, construct head)אֹזֶן (H241) 'ear'; idiom 'in the ears of' = 'in the hearing of,' i.e. addressed directly to.
זִקְנֵ֥יthe elders ofadj m pl constr (substantival) · זָקֵן (H2205)Genitive (construct chain), indirect object of וְדִבֶּרזָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; substantival, the local body of civic elders who adjudicate at the gate — the MT plus's central institution.
הָעִֽירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive (construct chain, second member)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; specifies whose elders — those of the refuge city.
הַהִ֖יאthatart + 3fs pron (demonstrative use) · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָעִירהִיא (H1931) used with article as demonstrative 'that (city).'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking דְּבָרָיו as the definite direct object.
דְּבָרָ֑יוhis wordsN m pl constr/3ms suffix · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of וְדִבֶּרדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter'; with 3ms suffix, 'his words/case' — the account of the killing he presents.
וְאָסְפ֨וּand they shall gather/take inwaw-consec + Qal weqatal 3cp · אָסַף (H622)Weqatal continuing procedural sequence→ Weqatal: sequential legal instruction — the elders' responsive actionאָסַף (H622) 'to gather, take in'; the elders' act of receiving him into the city's protection.
אֹת֤וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וְאָסְפוּאֵת (H853) + 3ms suffix, 'him' (the manslayer), object of the elders' gathering-in.
הָעִ֨ירָה֙into the cityart + N f sg abs + directional ה · עִיר (H5892)Adverbial (directional)עִיר (H5892) 'city' + he-locale, 'into the city' — reception within the city walls.
אֲלֵיהֶ֔םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) + 3mp suffix; 'to themselves,' i.e. into their own community.
וְנָתְנוּand they shall givewaw-consec + Qal weqatal 3cp · נָתַן (H5414)Weqatal continuing procedural sequence→ Weqatal: sequential legal instructionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the elders formally allot him a dwelling place.
ל֥וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְIndirect objectלְ + 3ms suffix; 'to him,' the manslayer as recipient.
מָק֖וֹםa placeN m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Direct object of וְנָתְנוּמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; a dwelling-place within the city, formalizing his asylum status.
וְיָשַׁ֥בand he shall dwellwaw-consec + Qal weqatal 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Weqatal continuing procedural sequence→ Weqatal: sequential legal instruction — outcome of the procedureיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell, sit'; the manslayer's settled residence in the refuge city.
עִמָּֽםwith themprep עִם + 3mp suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial (accompaniment)עִם (H5973) 'with'; he lives among the city's own residents, not segregated.
5
וְכִ֨י יִרְדֹּ֜ף גֹּאֵ֤ל הַדָּם֙ אַֽחֲרָ֔יו וְלֹֽא יַסְגִּ֥רוּ אֶת הָרֹצֵ֖חַ בְּיָד֑וֹ כִּ֤י בִבְלִי דַ֨עַת֙ הִכָּ֣ה אֶת רֵעֵ֔הוּ וְלֹֽא שֹׂנֵ֥א ה֛וּא ל֖וֹ מִתְּמ֥וֹל שִׁלְשֽׁוֹם
And if the redeemer of blood pursues after him, they shall not deliver the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor without knowledge and did not hate him beforehand (from yesterday and the day before).
The protection is grounded doubly: procedurally (the city must not surrender him) and morally (he lacked prior malice, idiomatically 'from yesterday and the day before'); this belongs to the MT plus of vv.4-6.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְכִ֨יand ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing conditional clauseכִּי (H3588) here conditional 'if'; introduces the contingency of pursuit by the avenger.
יִרְדֹּ֜ףhe pursuesQal impf 3ms · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate verb (protasis of conditional clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a hypothetical, potentially recurring situationרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue, chase'; the avenger's potential act of vengeance.
גֹּאֵ֤לthe redeemer ofQal ptc m sg constr · גָּאַל (H1350)Subject of יִרְדֹּף (construct head)→ Participle: substantival, the fixed legal officeגָּאַל (H1350) 'to redeem'; substantival participle, 'blood-redeemer,' the kinsman avenger (see v.3).
הַדָּם֙the bloodart + N m sg abs · דָּם (H1818)Genitive (construct chain, second member)דָּם (H1818) 'blood'; completes the title גֹּאֵל הַדָּם.
אַֽחֲרָ֔יוafter himprep אַחַר + 3ms suffix · אַחַר (H310)Adverbial (locative, pursuit)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; direction of pursuit toward the manslayer.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle; negates the elders' obligation to surrender him.
יַסְגִּ֥רוּthey shall deliver upHiphil impf 3mp · סָגַר (H5462)Predicate verb (apodosis, prohibition)→ Yiqtol (negated): a durative prohibition — the city's abiding protective obligationסָגַר (H5462) 'to shut, close'; Hiphil 'to deliver up, surrender'; the community's legal duty of protection.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָרֹצֵחַ as the definite direct object.
הָרֹצֵ֖חַthe manslayerart + Qal ptc m sg abs · רָצַח (H7523)Direct object of יַסְגִּירוּ (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival, designating the legally protected classרָצַח (H7523) 'to kill'; substantival participle with article, 'the manslayer' — the recurring technical term for the protected fugitive throughout this law.
בְּיָד֑וֹinto his handprep בְּ + N f sg constr/3ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Adverbial (goal, idiom of transfer)יָד (H3027) 'hand' + 3ms suffix; idiom 'into his hand' = into the avenger's power.
כִּ֤יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing causal clauseכִּי (H3588) causal, 'because'; grounds the prohibition in the manslayer's lack of intent.
בִבְלִיwithoutprep בְּ + N m sg constr · בְּלִי (H1097)Adverbial (negation, construct head)בְּלִי (H1097) 'without'; repeats the idiom of v.3, 'without knowledge.'
דַ֨עַת֙knowledgeN f sg abs · דַּעַת (H1847)Genitive (construct chain, second member)דַּעַת (H1847) 'knowledge'; completing בִּבְלִי דַעַת, the recurring legal formula for unintentional killing.
הִכָּ֣הhe struckHiphil perf 3ms · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed past act, the single blow that triggered the caseנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike'; Hiphil perfect, the decisive act of striking that killed the victim.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking רֵעֵהוּ as the definite direct object.
רֵעֵ֔הוּhis neighborN m sg constr/3ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Direct object of הִכָּהרֵעַ (H7453) 'neighbor, friend, fellow'; the victim, a member of his own community — underscoring the case is between kin/neighbors.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following participleלֹא (H3808); negates שֹׂנֵא, ruling out malice.
שֹׂנֵ֥אhatingQal ptc m sg abs · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Predicate participle (negated, stative)→ Participle (negated, stative): describes an ongoing prior disposition, here deniedשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; participle denoting a settled disposition — its negation establishes absence of premeditated malice, the legal crux distinguishing manslaughter from murder.
ה֛וּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (resumptive/emphatic, with participial predicate)הוּא (H1931) independent pronoun; supplies the subject for the participial clause לֹא־שֹׂנֵא, emphatic.
ל֖וֹhimprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְIndirect object (object of hating)לְ + 3ms suffix marking the object of שֹׂנֵא, 'hating him.'
מִתְּמ֥וֹלfrom yesterdayprep מִן + adv · תְּמוֹל (H8543)Adverbial (temporal, idiom)תְּמוֹל (H8543) 'yesterday'; with מִן and paired with שִׁלְשׁוֹם forms the idiom 'from yesterday and the day before' = 'beforehand, in the past' — a standard formula for prior habitual disposition (cf. Exod 21:29, Deut 19:4).
שִׁלְשֽׁוֹםand the day beforeN m sg abs (adverbial) · שִׁלְשׁוֹם (H8032)Adverbial (temporal, second member of idiom)שִׁלְשׁוֹם (H8032) 'day before yesterday'; completes the idiom מִתְּמוֹל שִׁלְשׁוֹם, 'formerly, in time past' — establishing no history of enmity.
6
וְיָשַׁ֣ב בָּעִ֣יר הַהִ֗יא עַד עָמְד֞וֹ לִפְנֵ֤י הָֽעֵדָה֙ לַמִּשְׁפָּ֔ט עַד מוֹת֙ הַכֹּהֵ֣ן הַגָּד֔וֹל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִהְיֶ֖ה בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֑ם אָ֣ז יָשׁ֣וּב הָרוֹצֵ֗חַ וּבָ֤א אֶל עִירוֹ֙ וְאֶל בֵּית֔וֹ אֶל הָעִ֖יר אֲשֶׁר נָ֥ס מִשָּֽׁם
And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest who is in those days; then the manslayer shall return and come to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled.
Two עַד ('until') clauses set the temporal boundaries of asylum — trial before the congregation, then the high priest's death — before אָז ('then') marks the release; the high priest's death functioning as an atoning terminus is a striking theological feature unparalleled for any other office.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
וְיָשַׁ֣בand he shall dwellwaw-consec + Qal weqatal 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Weqatal continuing procedural sequence→ Weqatal: sequential legal instruction — ongoing residenceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; resumes/summarizes the asylum-residence begun in v.4.
בָּעִ֣ירin the cityprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Adverbial (locative)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; locale of the manslayer's asylum residence.
הַהִ֗יאthatart + 3fs pron (demonstrative use) · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָעִירהִיא (H1931) with article, demonstrative 'that (city).'
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Subordinating preposition introducing temporal clauseעַד (H5704) 'until'; marks the time-limit of the asylum, here 'until he stands (trial).'
עָמְד֞וֹhis standingQal inf constr/3ms suffix · עָמַד (H5975)Temporal infinitive clause, object of עַד→ Infinitive construct: marks the boundary event of a temporal clauseעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; infinitive construct with suffix, 'his standing' = his appearing for trial before the assembly.
לִפְנֵ֤יbeforecompound prep · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial (locative)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; compound preposition לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of.'
הָֽעֵדָה֙the congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Object of preposition לִפְנֵיעֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation, assembly'; the corporate body of Israel functioning as a judicial court, distinct from the local elders of v.4.
לַמִּשְׁפָּ֔טfor judgmentprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Adverbial (purpose)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, justice'; the formal trial determining whether the killing was truly unintentional.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Subordinating preposition introducing temporal clauseעַד (H5704) 'until'; second temporal boundary, the high priest's death (cf. Num 35:25, 28).
מוֹת֙the death ofN m sg constr · מָוֶת (H4194)Genitive (construct chain), object of עַדמָוֶת (H4194) 'death'; construct governing הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל — the high priest's death marks the expiration of exile.
הַכֹּהֵ֣ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Genitive (construct chain, second member)כֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; here specified as הַגָּדוֹל, the high priest.
הַגָּד֔וֹלthe great/highart + adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying הַכֹּהֵןגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; with כֹּהֵן forms 'high priest' — his death provides atoning closure ending the exile, a theologically loaded provision.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the qualifying clause identifying the priest in office at that time.
יִהְיֶ֖הshall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/future — whoever holds the office at the relevant future timeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; future/durative, 'who will be (high priest) in those days' — the office, not a named individual.
בַּיָּמִ֣יםin the daysprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial (temporal)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural 'in the days,' the period of the manslayer's exile.
הָהֵ֑םthoseart + demonstrative pron mp · הֵם (H1992)Attributive demonstrative modifying בַּיָּמִיםהֵם (H1992) with article, demonstrative 'those (days).'
אָ֣זthenadv · אָז (H227)Adverbial (temporal, marking apodosis)אָז (H227) 'then'; marks the resumption/consequence after the two עַד-clauses, introducing the release.
יָשׁ֣וּבhe shall returnQal impf 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal — the permitted action once conditions are metשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; the manslayer's release and return home once the high priest dies.
הָרוֹצֵ֗חַthe manslayerart + Qal ptc m sg abs · רָצַח (H7523)Subject of יָשׁוּב (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival, the recurring technical designationרָצַח (H7523) 'to kill'; substantival participle with article, the same recurring legal term for the protected person now permitted to go home.
וּבָ֤אand comewaw-consec + Qal weqatal 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Weqatal continuing main clause→ Weqatal: sequential — completes the returnבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; paired with שׁוּב, 'return and come (back) to.'
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to'; introduces his home city.
עִירוֹ֙his cityN f sg constr/3ms suffix · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition אֶלעִיר (H5892) 'city' + 3ms suffix, 'his (own) city' of origin.
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal, coordinate)אֶל (H413) 'to'; coordinated with the preceding, introducing a second destination.
בֵּית֔וֹhis houseN m sg constr/3ms suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Object of preposition וְאֶלבַּיִת (H1004) 'house' + 3ms suffix; full restoration to home and household.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal, in apposition)אֶל (H413) 'to'; reintroduces and specifies 'his city' in the following relative clause.
הָעִ֖ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition (in apposition to עִירוֹ)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; resumed and defined by the following relative clause.
אֲשֶׁרfrom whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the clause identifying the city as the one he originally fled.
נָ֥סhe fledQal perf 3ms · נוּס (H5127)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed past act, the original flight narrated in vv.4-5נוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; recalls the initial flight of v.4, now reversed.
מִשָּֽׁםfrom thereprep מִן + adv · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial (locative, source)שָׁם (H8033) 'there' + מִן, 'from there' — completes the frame, closing the geographical circle of flight and return.
7
וַיַּקְדִּ֜שׁוּ אֶת קֶ֤דֶשׁ בַּגָּלִיל֙ בְּהַ֣ר נַפְתָּלִ֔י וְאֶת שְׁכֶ֖ם בְּהַ֣ר אֶפְרָ֑יִם וְאֶת קִרְיַ֥ת אַרְבַּ֛ע הִ֥יא חֶבְר֖וֹן בְּהַ֥ר יְהוּדָֽה
So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee, in the hill country of Naphtali, and Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.
The narrative shifts from legal instruction to enacted history: the western triad of refuge cities is consecrated (וַיַּקְדִּשׁוּ), listed north to south — Kedesh (Naphtali), Shechem (Ephraim), Hebron (Judah) — spanning the hill country west of the Jordan.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיַּקְדִּ֜שׁוּand they set apartwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · קָדַשׁ (H6942)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the formal act of consecrationקָדַשׁ (H6942) 'to be holy'; Hiphil 'to sanctify, set apart, consecrate' — the striking verb of designation: these are not merely chosen but ritually/legally consecrated as refuge cities.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking קֶדֶשׁ as the definite direct object.
קֶ֤דֶשׁKedeshN proper · קֶדֶשׁ (H6943)Direct object of וַיַּקְדִּשׁוּקֶדֶשׁ (H6943) 'holy place'; a Naphtalite city (cf. Josh 12:22; 19:37), first of the six refuge cities, west of the Jordan.
בַּגָּלִיל֙in Galileeprep בְּ + art + N proper · גָּלִיל (H1551)Adverbial (locative, apposition)גָּלִיל (H1551) 'circuit, region'; the northern district later known as Galilee.
בְּהַ֣רin the hill country ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Adverbial (locative, construct head)הַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'; construct with נַפְתָּלִי, further locating Kedesh.
נַפְתָּלִ֔יNaphtaliN proper · נַפְתָּלִי (H5321)Genitive (construct chain, second member)נַפְתָּלִי (H5321); the northern tribe in whose territory Kedesh lies.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ joins the second object; אֵת marks שְׁכֶם as the definite object.
שְׁכֶ֖םShechemN proper · שְׁכֶם (H7927)Direct object of וַיַּקְדִּשׁוּ (second object)שְׁכֶם (H7927); the central-hill-country Ephraimite city, second refuge city, site of covenant renewal (Josh 24) and a Levitical city (21:21).
בְּהַ֣רin the hill country ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Adverbial (locative, construct head)הַר (H2022) 'hill country'; locating Shechem.
אֶפְרָ֑יִםEphraimN proper · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Genitive (construct chain, second member)אֶפְרַיִם (H669); the central tribe in whose hill country Shechem lies.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third object)וְ joins the third object; אֵת marks קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע as the definite object.
קִרְיַ֥תKiriath-N proper constr · קִרְיָה (H7153)Direct object of וַיַּקְדִּשׁוּ (construct head of place-name)קִרְיָה (H7153) 'city, town'; construct in the place-name קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע, 'city of Arba' (Hebron's older name, Josh 14:15).
אַרְבַּ֛עArbaproper noun (part of place-name) f sg · אַרְבַּע (H7153)Genitive (construct chain, name completion)אַרְבַּע, here part of the proper name קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע; associated in Josh 14:15 with Arba, 'greatest man among the Anakim.'
הִ֥יאthat isindependent pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Copula introducing appositional glossהִיא (H1931) 'she/it'; the formulaic 'that is' equating an older name with the current one (חֶבְרוֹן).
חֶבְר֖וֹןHebronN proper · חֶבְרוֹן (H2275)Predicate nominative (apposition to קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע)חֶבְרוֹן (H2275); the well-known city of the patriarchs and Caleb's inheritance (Josh 14), third refuge city, in Judah's hill country.
בְּהַ֥רin the hill country ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Adverbial (locative, construct head)הַר (H2022) 'hill country'; locating Hebron.
יְהוּדָֽהJudahN proper · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Genitive (construct chain, second member)יְהוּדָה (H3063); the southern tribe. Together Kedesh-Shechem-Hebron form the western triad: north, center, south.
8
וּמֵעֵ֜בֶר לְיַרְדֵּ֤ן יְרִיחוֹ֙ מִזְרָ֔חָה נָתְנ֞וּ אֶת בֶּ֧צֶר בַּמִּדְבָּ֛ר בַּמִּישֹׁ֖ר מִמַּטֵּ֣ה רְאוּבֵ֑ן וְאֶת רָאמֹ֤ת בַּגִּלְעָד֙ מִמַּטֵּה גָ֔ד וְאֶת גלון גּוֹלָ֥ן בַּבָּשָׁ֖ן מִמַּטֵּ֥ה מְנַשֶּֽׁה
And beyond the Jordan, east of Jericho, they appointed Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau from the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh.
The eastern triad mirrors the western: Bezer (Reuben, south), Ramoth (Gad, center), Golan (Manasseh, north) — the same south-to-north tribal symmetry, already anticipated provisionally in Deut 4:41-43.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וּמֵעֵ֜בֶרand from the region acrossconj וְ + prep מִן + N m sg abs · עֵבֶר (H5676)Adverbial (locative)עֵבֶר (H5676) 'side, region across'; here 'beyond/across (the Jordan)' — shifts geography to Transjordan for the eastern triad.
לְיַרְדֵּ֤ןthe Jordanprep לְ + N proper · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Genitive (locative complement of עֵבֶר)יַרְדֵּן (H3383) the Jordan river; the boundary crossed by the eastern refuge cities' description.
יְרִיחוֹ֙JerichoN proper · יְרִיחוֹ (H3405)Genitive (apposition, orienting landmark)יְרִיחוֹ (H3405); used as the reference point, 'east of Jericho,' the well-known city west of the Jordan.
מִזְרָ֔חָהeastwardN m sg abs + directional ה · מִזְרָח (H4217)Adverbial (directional)מִזְרָח (H4217) 'east, sunrise' + he-locale, 'eastward'; specifies direction relative to Jericho.
נָתְנ֞וּthey gave/appointedQal perf 3cp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of designationנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, appoint'; the formal act of assigning the three eastern refuge cities, echoing v.2's תְּנוּ.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking בֶּצֶר as the definite direct object.
בֶּ֧צֶרBezerN proper · בֶּצֶר (H1221)Direct object of נָתְנוּבֶּצֶר (H1221) 'fortress'; Reubenite city on the Transjordan plateau, fourth refuge city (already designated in Deut 4:43).
בַּמִּדְבָּ֛רin the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Adverbial (locative, apposition)מִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, steppe'; the semi-arid Transjordan tableland.
בַּמִּישֹׁ֖רon the plateauprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִישׁוֹר (H4334)Adverbial (locative, apposition)מִישׁוֹר (H4334) 'level place, plateau/tableland'; the high plain of Reuben's territory.
מִמַּטֵּ֣הfrom the tribe ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Adverbial (source, construct head)מַטֶּה (H4294) 'staff, tribe'; identifies which tribal territory Bezer belongs to.
רְאוּבֵ֑ןReubenN proper · רְאוּבֵן (H7205)Genitive (construct chain, second member)רְאוּבֵן (H7205); Jacob's firstborn, whose tribe settled in Transjordan south of the Arnon.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ joins the second object; אֵת marks רָאמֹת as definite.
רָאמֹ֤תRamothN proper · רָאמֹת (H7216)Direct object of נָתְנוּ (second object)רָאמֹת (H7216) 'heights'; Gadite city, fifth refuge city, later infamous as the site of Ahab's death (1 Kgs 22).
בַּגִּלְעָד֙in Gileadprep בְּ + art + N proper · גִּלְעָד (H1568)Adverbial (locative, apposition)גִּלְעָד (H1568); the central Transjordan highland region.
מִמַּטֵּהfrom the tribe ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Adverbial (source, construct head)מַטֶּה (H4294) 'tribe'; identifies Ramoth's tribal allotment.
גָ֔דGadN proper · גָּד (H1410)Genitive (construct chain, second member)גָּד (H1410); Jacob's seventh son, whose tribe settled in central Transjordan.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third object)וְ joins the third object; אֵת marks גּוֹלָן as definite.
גלון[Golan]N proper (Kethiv, defective spelling) · גּוֹלָן (H1474)Direct object of נָתְנוּ (Kethiv form, unpointed)The Kethiv spells the name defectively גלון against the Qere's fuller גּוֹלָן; both denote the same city — the standard MT written/read variant preserved by the Masoretes.
גּוֹלָ֥ןGolanN proper (Qere, pointed reading) · גּוֹלָן (H1474)Direct object of נָתְנוּ (Qere reading, third object)גּוֹלָן (H1474); Manassite city in Bashan, sixth and final refuge city — namesake of the later Golan Heights.
בַּבָּשָׁ֖ןin Bashanprep בְּ + art + N proper · בָּשָׁן (H1316)Adverbial (locative, apposition)בָּשָׁן (H1316); the fertile northern Transjordan plateau, Og's former kingdom.
מִמַּטֵּ֥הfrom the tribe ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Adverbial (source, construct head)מַטֶּה (H4294) 'tribe'; identifies Golan's tribal allotment.
מְנַשֶּֽׁהManassehN proper · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive (construct chain, second member)מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519); here the half-tribe settled in northern Transjordan (Bashan). With Bezer-Ramoth-Golan the eastern triad completes the symmetry: south/center/north mirroring the western three.
9
אֵ֣לֶּה הָיוּ֩ עָרֵ֨י הַמּֽוּעָדָ֜ה לְכֹ֣ל בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וְלַגֵּר֙ הַגָּ֣ר בְּתוֹכָ֔ם לָנ֣וּס שָׁ֔מָּה כָּל מַכֵּה נֶ֖פֶשׁ בִּשְׁגָגָ֑ה וְלֹ֣א יָמ֗וּת בְּיַד֙ גֹּאֵ֣ל הַדָּ֔ם עַד עָמְד֖וֹ לִפְנֵ֥י הָעֵדָֽה
These were the appointed cities for all the sons of Israel and for the sojourner dwelling among them, that anyone who strikes a person by mistake may flee there and not die by the hand of the redeemer of blood, until he stands before the congregation.
The chapter closes by summarizing the whole institution and explicitly extending its protection to the גֵּר, the resident alien — a deliberate inclusion of the non-Israelite within Israel's justice system — before restating the law's purpose and its trial-based time limit, forming an inclusio with vv.3 and 6.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
אֵ֣לֶּהthesedemonstrative pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (resumptive demonstrative)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; summarizing demonstrative opening the chapter's closing recapitulation.
הָיוּ֩wereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, summary statement)→ Perfective: summarizing a completed state of affairsהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; perfect summarizing/confirming the preceding list as an accomplished, settled institution.
עָרֵ֨יthe cities ofN f pl constr · עִיר (H5892)Predicate nominative (construct head)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; construct governing הַמּוּעָדָה.
הַמּֽוּעָדָ֜הthe appointedart + N f sg abs (verbal/passive noun) · מוּעָדָה (H4152)Genitive (construct chain, second member)מוּעָדָה (H4152) 'appointed, designated (place)', from יעד; a rare form — 'the appointed cities,' emphasizing formal, legal designation.
לְכֹ֣לfor allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial (dative of advantage, construct head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct governing בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, marking the universal beneficiaries.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural, 'sons of Israel' = the Israelite people, the primary beneficiaries.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain, second member)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the covenant people.
וְלַגֵּר֙and for the sojournerconj וְ + prep לְ + art + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Adverbial (dative of advantage, coordinate)גֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner, resident alien'; explicitly extends the asylum law's protection beyond native Israelites to non-Israelite residents — a deliberate, weighty inclusion consistent with Israel's justice ethic (cf. Lev 24:22; Num 35:15).
הַגָּ֣רwho sojournsart + Qal ptc m sg abs · גּוּר (H1481)Attributive participle modifying גֵּר→ Participle: describes the ongoing state of residing as a sojournerגּוּר (H1481) 'to sojourn'; substantival/attributive participle, describing the resident alien's continuing presence among Israel.
בְּתוֹכָ֔םamong themprep בְּ + N m sg constr/3mp suffix · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial (locative)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst'; 'in their midst,' locating the sojourner within the Israelite community.
לָנ֣וּסto fleeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נוּס (H5127)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive construct: expresses purpose — restating the law's rationaleנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; purpose infinitive, echoing v.3, restating the cities' function for the chapter's close.
שָׁ֔מָּהthere(to)adv + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial (locative, directional)שָׁם (H8033) + he-locale, 'thither, to there.'
כָּלanyoneN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct head, indefinite/distributive)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct with the participle, 'anyone/everyone who strikes.'
מַכֵּהstrikingHiphil ptc m sg constr · נָכָה (H5221)Genitive (construct chain, substantival participle)→ Participle: characterizes the class of person addressed by the lawנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike'; Hiphil participle construct, restating the defining act from v.3.
נֶ֖פֶשׁa personN (c) sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Direct object of מַכֵּהנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person'; the victim struck.
בִּשְׁגָגָ֑הby mistakeprep בְּ + N f sg abs · שְׁגָגָה (H7684)Adverbial (manner)שְׁגָגָה (H7684) 'inadvertence, error'; restates the unintentional-killing qualifier of v.3.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808); negates יָמוּת, stating the protective purpose.
יָמ֗וּתhe shall dieQal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (negated, purpose/result clause)→ Yiqtol (negated): a durative negative outcome — the protection guaranteed by the institutionמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; negated future, the law's protective aim — that he not be killed by the avenger.
בְּיַד֙by the hand ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · יָד (H3027)Adverbial (agency)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom 'by the hand of' = at the agency of.
גֹּאֵ֣לthe redeemer ofQal ptc m sg constr · גָּאַל (H1350)Genitive (construct chain, substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival, the fixed legal officeגָּאַל (H1350) 'to redeem'; substantival participle, repeating the title established in v.3.
הַדָּ֔םthe bloodart + N m sg abs · דָּם (H1818)Genitive (construct chain, second member)דָּם (H1818) 'blood'; completes the recurring title גֹּאֵל הַדָּם.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Subordinating preposition introducing temporal clauseעַד (H5704) 'until'; final temporal boundary closing the chapter, echoing v.6.
עָמְד֖וֹhis standingQal inf constr/3ms suffix · עָמַד (H5975)Temporal infinitive clause, object of עַד→ Infinitive construct: marks the boundary event of a temporal clauseעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; infinitive with suffix, 'his standing (trial)' — restates v.6's condition, bookending the chapter.
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforecompound prep · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial (locative)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; compound preposition 'before, in the presence of.'
הָעֵדָֽהthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Object of preposition לִפְנֵיעֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation, assembly'; the judicial body, closing the chapter on the same institution named in v.6.