King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"'However, if he hits him with an iron implement and thus causes his death, he is a murderer; the murderer must be put to death.
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:
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And if he smite{H5221} him with an instrument{H3627} of iron{H1270}, so that he die{H4191}, he is a murderer{H7523}: the murderer{H7523} shall surely{H4191} be put to death{H4191}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Leviticus 24:17
- And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.
Genesis 9:5
- And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.
Genesis 9:6
- Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Deuteronomy 19:11
- But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:
Deuteronomy 19:13
- Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away [the guilt of] innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.
Numbers 35:30
- Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person [to cause him] to die.
Numbers 35:33
- So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye [are]: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 35:16
1. **Themes:**
- **Sanctity of Life:** The verse emphasizes the gravity of taking a human life, classifying such an act as murder.
- **Justice and Retribution:** It prescribes the death penalty for the perpetrator, underscoring a principle of equivalent retribution (lex talionis).
- **Legal Distinctions:** It differentiates between accidental and intentional killing, with specific mention of the use of a deadly weapon.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The Book of Numbers is set during the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness, after their exodus from Egypt and before their entry into the Promised Land.
- **Legislation for a New Society:** The laws given in Numbers, including those on murder and cities of refuge (Numbers 35), were part of God's instructions to Moses for organizing the Israelite community.
- **Cultural and Legal Practices:** The verse reflects ancient Near Eastern legal customs, which often included the death penalty for murder. The specification of an "instrument of iron" indicates a premeditated act, as metal weapons were deliberate tools of violence.
- **Cities of Refuge:** This verse is part of a larger passage establishing cities where someone who has committed manslaughter could seek asylum from avengers, highlighting a system for protecting the accused from immediate retaliation while awaiting a fair trial.
In summary, Numbers 35:16 is part of the legal code given to the Israelites, emphasizing the value of life, the need for justice through proportionate punishment, and the establishment of a structured legal system to deal with homicide.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5221
There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָכָה
Transliteration: nâkâh
Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
Description: a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. - Strong's Number: H3627
There are 276 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּלִי
Transliteration: kᵉlîy
Pronunciation: kel-ee'
Description: from כָּלָה; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon); armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever. - Strong's Number: H1270
There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּרְזֶל
Transliteration: barzel
Pronunciation: bar-zel'
Description: perhaps from the root of בִּרְזוֹת; iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement; (ax) head, iron. - Strong's Number: H4191
There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּת
Transliteration: mûwth
Pronunciation: mooth
Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. - Strong's Number: H7523
There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָצַח
Transliteration: râtsach
Pronunciation: raw-tsakh'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. kill (a human being), especially to murder; put to death, kill, (man-) slay(-er), murder(-er).