Numbers 35:17

Verse

Or 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.

American Standard Version (1901)

And if he smote him with a stone in the hand, whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

Bible in Basic English

Or if he gives him a blow with a stone in his hand, causing his death, he is a taker of life and is certainly to be put to death.

Free Bible Version

If anyone picks up something made of stone that could be used as a weapon and hits someone with it, and kills them, that person is a murderer and must be executed.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

If he struck him with a stone in the hand, by which a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death.

Unlocked Literal Bible

If an accused man has struck his victim with a stone in his hand that might kill the victim, 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 by throwing a stone, by which he may die, and he shall die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

World English Bible

If he struck him with a stone in the hand, by which a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death.

Young's Literal Translation

'And if with a stone [in] the hand, wherewith he dieth, he hath smitten him, and he dieth, he [is] a murderer: the murderer is certainly put to death.

Context

Six Cities of Refuge

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.¹⁸If anyone has in his hand a deadly object of wood, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death.

Summary

Numbers 35:17 addresses the concept of unintentional manslaughter, distinguishing it from premeditated murder. It establishes cities of refuge as safe havens for individuals who accidentally cause the death of another person, protecting them from potential retaliation by the victim's family. This provision reflects God's justice tempered with mercy, ensuring fair treatment for those who commit unintentional harm. The cities of refuge serve as a reminder of the importance of valuing human life and seeking reconciliation rather than vengeance. Ultimately, this verse underscores the principle of accountability while offering a path for redemption and restoration in the midst of tragedy.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And if he smite him with throwing a stone,.... "Or with a stone of the hand" (q), which the Jews interpret of a stone so big as to fill a man's hand, and so wherewith he may die; at whom it is thrown; is sufficient to cause his death, if struck with it; so the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it of a"stone of fulness of hands, which is sufficient that a man may die with it,''or be killed by it: and he die; by the blow he receives from it, either immediately or in a short time after: he is a murderer, and the murderer shall surely be put to death; as in the above case. (q) .

Numbers 35:17

Six Cities of Refuge

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Or 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.

American Standard Version (1901)

And if he smote him with a stone in the hand, whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

Bible in Basic English

Or if he gives him a blow with a stone in his hand, causing his death, he is a taker of life and is certainly to be put to death.

Free Bible Version

If anyone picks up something made of stone that could be used as a weapon and hits someone with it, and kills them, that person is a murderer and must be executed.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

If he struck him with a stone in the hand, by which a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death.

Unlocked Literal Bible

If an accused man has struck his victim with a stone in his hand that might kill the victim, 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 by throwing a stone, by which he may die, and he shall die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

World English Bible

If he struck him with a stone in the hand, by which a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death.

Young's Literal Translation

'And if with a stone [in] the hand, wherewith he dieth, he hath smitten him, and he dieth, he [is] a murderer: the murderer is certainly put to death.