Numbers 35:16

Numbers 35:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
• New International Version (NIV)“ ‘If anyone strikes someone a fatal blow with an iron object, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death.
• English Standard Version (ESV)"But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death.
• New King James Version (NKJV)‘But if he strikes him with an iron implement, so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.

Context of Numbers 35:16

14You shall give three cities across the Jordan and three cities in the land of Canaan; they are to be cities of refuge. 15These six cities shall be for refuge for the sons of Israel, and for the alien and for the sojourner among them; that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there. ‘But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 17If he struck him down with a stone in the hand, by which he will die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 18Or if he struck him with a wooden object in the hand, by which he might die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.

Numbers 35:16 word by word

וְאִם־בִּכְלִ֨י בַרְזֶ֧ל׀ הִכָּ֛הוּ וַיָּמֹ֖ת רֹצֵ֣חַֽ ה֑וּא מ֥וֹת יוּמַ֖ת הָרֹצֵֽחַ׃Read the interlinear

• But ifאִם'im · ifH518
• he struckנָכָהnâkâh · to smiteH5221
• with an ironבַּרְזֶלbarzel · ironH1270
• objectכְּלִיkelîy · article/utensilH3627
• so that he diedמוּתmûth · to dieH4191
• he is a murdererרָצַחrâtsach · to murderH7523

Cross-references for Numbers 35:16

• Numbers 35:22‘But if he pushed him suddenly without enmity, or threw something at him without lying in wait,
• Deuteronomy 19:11“But if there is a man who hates his neighbor and lies in wait for him and rises up against him and strikes him so that he dies, and he flees to one of these cities,
• Numbers 35:30‘If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death at the evidence of witnesses, but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.
• Genesis 9:5Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man’s brother I will require the life of man.
• Exodus 21:12“He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.
• Leviticus 24:17‘If a man takes the life of any human being, he shall surely be put to death.

Commentaries on Numbers 35:16

• 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 35:16

• Homicide
• Iron
• Punishment
• Refuge

In the dictionaries

• City
• Congregation
• Copper
• Murder
• Refuge, Cities of
• Testify
• Amorites
• Assassination
• Courts, Judicial
• Ezekiel

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