King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Or [if] he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he [is] a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Or if he hits him with a wood utensil in his hand capable of killing someone, and he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer must be put to death.
Berean Standard Bible:
If 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.
American Standard Version:
Or if he smote him with a weapon of wood in the hand, whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Or if he smite{H5221} him with an hand{H3027} weapon{H3627} of wood{H6086}, wherewith he may die{H4191}, and he die{H4191}, he is a murderer{H7523}: the murderer{H7523} shall surely{H4191} be put to death{H4191}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Numbers 35:18
Numbers 35:18 is a verse from the Old Testament that falls within the context of the legal code given to the Israelites by God through Moses. This particular verse is part of a larger section (Numbers 35:9-34) that outlines the establishment of cities of refuge and the regulations concerning homicide.
In the immediate context, the verse addresses the consequences for someone who kills another person with a wooden hand weapon, specifying that such an act is considered murder and that the perpetrator is to be executed. This reflects the principle of "lex talionis," or the law of retaliation, which is also expressed in the famous "eye for an eye" passage in Exodus 21:23-25. The law in Numbers 35:18 emphasizes the gravity of taking a human life and the need for justice to be carried out by the community.
The historical context of this verse is the period of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness, after their exodus from Egypt and before their entry into the Promised Land. During this time, God was establishing a system of laws and moral codes to govern the Israelite society, which included strict rules regarding homicide and the appropriate punishments for such crimes. The cities of refuge, mentioned earlier in the chapter, were provided as safe havens for individuals who had caused an unintentional death, protecting them from avengers until a fair trial could determine their guilt or innocence.
The themes of Numbers 35:18 include the sanctity of life, the importance of justice, and the principle of equivalent punishment for crimes. It underscores the idea that intentional killing is a serious offense against the community and God, deserving of the most severe penalty. This verse and its surrounding context also highlight the distinctions between intentional and unintentional killings, with different consequences for each, thereby laying the groundwork for a structured legal system.
*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: H3027
There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָד
Transliteration: yâd
Pronunciation: yawd
Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. - 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: H6086
There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵץ
Transliteration: ʻêts
Pronunciation: ates
Description: from עָצָה; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks); [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. - 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).