Numbers 35:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,

Complete Jewish Bible:

"'But suppose he shoves him suddenly, but without hostility; or he throws something at him unintentionally;

Berean Standard Bible:

But if anyone pushes a person suddenly, without hostility, or throws an object at him unintentionally,

American Standard Version:

But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or hurled upon him anything without lying in wait,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But if he thrust{H1920} him suddenly{H6621} without{H3808} enmity{H342}, or have cast{H7993} upon him any thing{H3627} without laying of wait{H6660},

Cross-References (KJV):

Exodus 21:13

  • And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver [him] into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.

Numbers 35:11

  • Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.

Joshua 20:5

  • And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.

Deuteronomy 19:5

  • As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:

Joshua 20:3

  • That the slayer that killeth [any] person unawares [and] unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

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Commentary for Numbers 35:22

1. Themes:
- Law and Order: The verse addresses the importance of intent in determining the severity of an offense, distinguishing between premeditated murder and accidental manslaughter.
- Justice and Mercy: It reflects a system of justice that seeks to be fair by considering the circumstances and intentions behind an act, rather than applying a blanket punishment.
- Sanctity of Life: The verse is part of a larger passage that emphasizes the value of human life, establishing cities of refuge for those who kill unintentionally.

2. Historical Context:
- 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.
- This verse is part of the legislation given by God to Moses for the Israelite community. It specifically deals with the laws concerning manslaughter versus murder, outlining the need to differentiate between intentional and unintentional killing.
- The establishment of cities of refuge (mentioned earlier in Numbers 35) was to provide asylum for individuals who had committed unintentional manslaughter, protecting them from blood vengeance until a fair trial could be held.
- The broader context of Numbers 35:22-23 is the provision of a legal framework for dealing with homicide, which includes the role of the community (the congregation shall judge), the principle of evidence (between the slayer and the revenger of blood), and the process of judgment (the congregation shall save the manslayer).

In summary, Numbers 35:22 is a part of the ancient Israelite legal code that seeks to establish a just and nuanced approach to unintentional killing, reflecting themes of justice, mercy, and the sanctity of life within the historical context of the Israelites' formation as a nation under God's guidance.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H1920
    There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: הָדַף
    Transliteration: hâdaph
    Pronunciation: haw-daf'
    Description: a primitive root; to push away or down; cast away (out), drive, expel, thrust (away).
  2. Strong's Number: H6621
    There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פֶּתַע
    Transliteration: pethaʻ
    Pronunciation: peh'-thah
    Description: from an unused root meaning to open (the eyes); (compare פִּתְאוֹם); a wink, i.e. moment(used only (with or without preposition) adverbially, quickly or unexpectedly; at an instant, suddenly, [idiom] very.
  3. Strong's Number: H3808
    There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: לֹא
    Transliteration: lôʼ
    Pronunciation: lo
    Description: or לוֹא; or לֹה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles; [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without.
  4. Strong's Number: H342
    There are 1298 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֵיבָה
    Transliteration: ʼêybâh
    Pronunciation: ay-baw'
    Description: from אָיַב; hostility; emnity, hatred.
  5. Strong's Number: H7993
    There are 121 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁלַךְ
    Transliteration: shâlak
    Pronunciation: shaw-lak
    Description: a primitive root; to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively); adventure, cast (away, down, forth, off, out), hurl, pluck, throw.
  6. 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.
  7. Strong's Number: H6660
    There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צְדִיָּה
    Transliteration: tsᵉdîyâh
    Pronunciation: tsed-ee-yaw'
    Description: from צָדָה; (compare צְדָא); design; lying in wait.