Moreover renders the Hebrew waw conjunction (literally “And”), which introduces another limitation on the trial proceedings of a killer. Chewa renders it “In addition to this.”

You shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer: The Hebrew pronoun for you is plural, referring to the Israelites. In most languages it will be more natural to render you shall accept no ransom as “you must not accept a ransom” (NET Bible). The Hebrew term for ransom (koper) comes from a root meaning “to cover” or “to make atonement” (see 6.11; 16.46). Some type of “substitution” is implied in this word (so Cole, page 555). Here it refers to a “payment [of money]” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible) to avoid (“cover up”) the punishment of death. However, Good News Translation‘s rendering completely eliminates the notion of substitution, and it will not be easily distinguishable from a “bribe,” which is quite different. Some languages will be able to say “ransom payment” (New Living Translation), sometimes even with a single term (so Chewa). There can be no ransom for a convicted murderer who killed with intent.

Who is guilty of death: This clause gives the reason why a ransom is not acceptable, so Reina-Valera revisida says “because he is condemned to death” (similarly SPCL), which fits the context of a trial. Who is guilty of death may be misunderstood to mean “who is guilty of the death of the victim,” so New Revised Standard Version says “who is subject to the death penalty.” De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling translates “who has been found guilty and condemned to death,” in order to avoid the suggestion that this condemnation might be wrong. Compare also New International Version with “who deserves to die.” Good News Translation omits this clause. Good News Translation seems to assume that the term “murderer” includes the notion of being “guilty of death.” Perhaps that is true but the Hebrew text’s emphasis on personal “guilt” may still need to be made explicit.

But he shall be put to death: The avenger of blood must execute the murderer (see verse 19). Good News Translation moves this clause to the beginning of the verse, saying “Murderers must be put to death.” This clause is an emphatic expression in Hebrew, which is literally “surely to die he must be put to death” (compare verses 16-18). NET Bible provides a more accurate model, saying “he must surely be put to death.”

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .