Numbers 35:16

Verse

If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death.

American Standard Version (1901)

But if he smote him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

Bible in Basic English

But if a man gives another man a blow with an iron instrument, causing his death, he is a taker of life and is certainly to be put to death.

Free Bible Version

But if anyone deliberately hits someone with something made of iron and kills them, that person is a murderer and must be executed.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

“‘But if he struck him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death.

Translation for Translators

“But you must consider that anyone who kills another person with an iron weapon or with a big rock or with a piece of wood, is a murderer, and the one who killed the other person must be executed.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But if an accused man has struck his victim with an instrument of iron, and if his victim dies, then the accused is indeed a murderer. He must certainly be put to death.

Noah Webster Bible

And if he shall smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he shall die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

World English Bible

“‘But if he struck him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death.

Young's Literal Translation

'And if with an instrument of iron he hath smitten him, and he dieth, he [is] a murderer: the murderer is certainly put to death.

Context

Six Cities of Refuge

¹⁵These six cities will serve as a refuge for the Israelites and for the foreigner or stranger among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there.¹⁶If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death.¹⁷Or if anyone has in his hand a stone of deadly size, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death.

Summary

Numbers 35:16 addresses the issue of intentional murder, stating that if someone strikes another person with an iron object resulting in death, the perpetrator is considered a murderer and must be put to death. This verse underscores the seriousness of taking a life unjustly and the need for justice to be served. It reflects the principle of 'an eye for an eye' in the context of maintaining order and upholding the value of human life. The passage sets the standard for dealing with intentional harm and emphasizes the importance of accountability and consequences for one's actions.

Commentary

Keil-Delitzsch
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

Special instructions are given in Num 35:16-28, with reference to the judicial procedure. First of all (Num 35:16-21), with regard to qualified slaying or murder. If any person has struck another with an iron instrument (an axe, hatchet, hammer, etc.), or "with a stone of the hand, from which one dies," i.e., with a stone which filled the hand, - a large stone, therefore, with which it was possible to kill, - or "with a wooden instrument of the hand, from which one dies," i.e., with a thick club, or a large, strong wooden instrument, and he then died (so that he died in consequence), he was a murderer, who was to be put to death. "For the suspicion would rest upon any one who had used an instrument, that endangered life and therefore was not generally used in striking, that he had intended to take life away" (Knobel).

Numbers 35:16

Six Cities of Refuge

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death.

American Standard Version (1901)

But if he smote him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

Bible in Basic English

But if a man gives another man a blow with an iron instrument, causing his death, he is a taker of life and is certainly to be put to death.

Free Bible Version

But if anyone deliberately hits someone with something made of iron and kills them, that person is a murderer and must be executed.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

“‘But if he struck him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death.

Translation for Translators

“But you must consider that anyone who kills another person with an iron weapon or with a big rock or with a piece of wood, is a murderer, and the one who killed the other person must be executed.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But if an accused man has struck his victim with an instrument of iron, and if his victim dies, then the accused is indeed a murderer. He must certainly be put to death.

Noah Webster Bible

And if he shall smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he shall die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

World English Bible

“‘But if he struck him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death.

Young's Literal Translation

'And if with an instrument of iron he hath smitten him, and he dieth, he [is] a murderer: the murderer is certainly put to death.

Numbers 35:16

Verse

Context

Six Cities of Refuge

Summary

Commentary

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Numbers 35:16

Six Cities of Refuge

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary