Numbers 35:17

Numbers 35:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
• New International Version (NIV)Or if anyone is holding a stone and strikes someone a fatal blow with it, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And if he struck him down with a stone tool that could cause death, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And if he strikes him with a stone in the hand, by which one could die, and he does die, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.

Context of Numbers 35:17

15These six cities will be places of refuge for Israelites, foreigners, and strangers among you. Anyone who unintentionally kills another person may flee to these cities. 16“But if any of you uses an iron weapon to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death. If any of you picks up a stone as a weapon and uses it to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death. 18Or if any of you picks up a piece of wood as a weapon and uses it to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death. 19The relative who can avenge the death must make sure a murderer is put to death. When he catches up with the murderer, he must kill him.

Numbers 35:17 word by word

וְאִ֡ם בְּאֶ֣בֶן יָד֩ אֲשֶׁר־יָמ֨וּת בָּ֥הּ הִכָּ֛הוּ וַיָּמֹ֖ת רֹצֵ֣חַֽ ה֑וּא מ֥וֹת יוּמַ֖ת הָרֹצֵֽחַ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And if he smiteנָכָהnâkâh · to smiteH5221
• him with throwingיָדyâd · hand: toolH3027
• a stoneאֶ֫בֶן'eben · stoneH68
• wherewith he may dieמוּתmûth · to dieH4191
• a murdererרָצַחrâtsach · to murderH7523

Cross-references for Numbers 35:17

• Exodus 21:18“This is what you must do whenever men quarrel and one hits the other with a rock or with his fist and injures him so that he has to stay in bed.

Commentaries on Numbers 35:17

• 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 35:17

• Homicide
• Punishment
• Refuge

In the dictionaries

• City
• Congregation
• Refuge, Cities of
• Testify
• Amorites
• Assassination
• Courts, Judicial
• Ezekiel
• Hittites
• Homicide

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