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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)“But if someone strikes and kills another person with a piece of iron, it is murder, and the murderer must be executed.

Context of Numbers 35:16

14Give three on this side of the Jordan and three in Canaan as cities of refuge. 15These six towns will be a place of refuge for Israelites and for foreigners residing among them, so that anyone who has killed another accidentally can flee there. “ ‘If anyone strikes someone a fatal blow with an iron object, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death. 17Or 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. 18Or if anyone is holding a wooden object and strikes someone a fatal blow with it, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death.

Numbers 35:16 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• And if he smiteנָכָהnâkâh · to smiteH5221
• him with an instrumentכְּלִיkelîy · article/utensilH3627
• of ironבַּרְזֶלbarzel · ironH1270
• so that he dieמוּתmûth · to dieH4191
• a murdererרָצַחrâtsach · to murderH7523

Cross-references for Numbers 35:16

• Numbers 35:22“ ‘But if without enmity someone suddenly pushes another or throws something at them unintentionally
• Deuteronomy 19:11But if out of hate someone lies in wait, assaults and kills a neighbor, and then flees to one of these cities,
• Numbers 35:30“ ‘Anyone who kills a person is to be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
• Genesis 9:5And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.
• Exodus 21:12“Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death.
• Leviticus 24:17“ ‘Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to 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