Numbers 35:20

Numbers 35:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
• New International Version (NIV)If anyone with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at them intentionally so that they die
• English Standard Version (ESV)And if he pushed him out of hatred or hurled something at him, lying in wait, so that he died,
• New King James Version (NKJV)If he pushes him out of hatred or, while lying in wait, hurls something at him so that he dies,

Context of Numbers 35:20

18Or if he smote him with a weapon of wood in the hand, whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. 19The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death: when he meeteth him, he shall put him to death. And if he thrust him of hatred, or hurled at him, lying in wait, so that he died, 21or in enmity smote him with his hand, so that he died; he that smote him shall surely be put to death; he is a murderer: the avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death, when he meeteth him. 22But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or hurled upon him anything without lying in wait,

Numbers 35:20 word by word

וְאִם־בְּשִׂנְאָ֖ה יֶהְדָּפֶ֑נּוּ אֽוֹ־הִשְׁלִ֥יךְ עָלָ֛יו בִּצְדִיָּ֖ה וַיָּמֹֽת׃Read the interlinear

• hatredשִׂנְאָהώin'âh · hatingH8135
• waitצְדִיָּהtsedîyâh · ambushH6660
• diedמוּתmûth · to dieH4191

Cross-references for Numbers 35:20

• Genesis 4:5but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
• 2 Samuel 3:27And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
• 2 Samuel 13:22And Absalom spake unto Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
• 2 Samuel 20:10But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the body, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. And Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.
• 1 Kings 2:5Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did unto me, even what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.
• Proverbs 26:24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:
• Proverbs 28:17A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.
• Luke 4:29and they rose up, and cast him forth out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong.
• Exodus 21:14And if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.
• Deuteronomy 19:11But if any man hate his neighbor, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally so that he dieth, and he flee into one of these cities;
• 1 Samuel 18:10And it came to pass on the morrow, that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as he did day by day. And Saul had his spear in his hand;
• 1 Samuel 19:9And an evil spirit from Jehovah was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand; and David was playing with his hand.
• 1 Samuel 20:1And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?
• 1 Samuel 23:7And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into my hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.
• 1 Samuel 24:11Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against thee, though thou huntest after my life to take it.
• Psalms 10:7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression: Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

Commentaries on Numbers 35:20

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16-25Verses 16-25 The sense is: Inasmuch as to take another man‘s life by any means whatsoever is murder, and exposes the murderer to the penalty of retaliation; so, if the deed is done in hostility, it is in truth actual murder, and the murderer shall be slain; but if it be not done in hostility, then the congregation shall interpose to stop the avenger‘s hand. Numbers 35:19 When he meeteth him - Provided, of course, it were without a city of refuge. Numbers…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-34Verses 9-34 To show plainly the abhorrence of murder, and to provide the more effectually for the punishment of the murderer, the nearest relation of the deceased, under the title of avenger of blood, (or the redeemer of blood,) in notorious cases, might pursue, and execute vengeance. A distinction is made, not between sudden anger and malice aforethought, both which are the crime of murder; but between intentionally striking a man with any weapon likely…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15-24The Old Testament clearly distinguishes between intentional murder and accidental killing (35:11, 22–23; Exodus 21:12–14; compare Numbers 15:22–31). Murder required a penalty of execution, but an accidental death did not. Murder required a penalty of execution, but an accidental death did not. If a person used a weapon, this showed malicious intent (a plan to harm someone).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 16-2116-21. If he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, &c.--Various cases are here enumerated in which the Goel or avenger was at liberty to take the life of the murderer; and every one of them proves a premeditated purpose.Read the comment

Topics related to Numbers 35:20

• Avenger of Blood
• Homicide
• Punishment
• Refuge

In the dictionaries

• City
• Congregation
• Murder
• Refuge, Cities of
• Testify
• Amorites
• Assassination
• Courts, Judicial
• Ezekiel
• Hate; Hatred

Commentaries on Numbers 35

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings