King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing [him] not, and cast [it] upon him, that he die, and [was] not his enemy, neither sought his harm:
Complete Jewish Bible:
or, without seeing him, being his enemy or seeking to harm him, he throws a stone big enough to cause death; and the person dies.
Berean Standard Bible:
or without looking drops a heavy stone that kills him, but he was not an enemy and did not intend to harm him,
American Standard Version:
or with any stone, whereby a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, so that he died, and he was not his enemy, neither sought his harm;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Or with any stone{H68}, wherewith a man may die{H4191}, seeing{H7200} him not{H3808}, and cast{H5307} it upon him, that he die{H4191}, and was not his enemy{H341}, neither sought{H1245} his harm{H7451}:
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Numbers 35:23
**Themes:**
Numbers 35:23 addresses the theme of justice and unintentional manslaughter within the legal framework of ancient Israel. The verse is part of a larger section (Numbers 35:9-34) that distinguishes between premeditated murder and accidental killing. It emphasizes the importance of intent in determining guilt and the need for cities of refuge where individuals who have unintentionally caused a death can seek asylum from avengers of blood.
**Historical Context:**
The historical context of this verse is the Israelites' journey through the wilderness following their exodus from Egypt. God, through Moses, is providing the people with laws and statutes to govern their communal life and worship. These laws include provisions for various types of offenses, including homicide.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, the law of retaliation ("an eye for an eye") was common, and the concept of cities of refuge was also known in other cultures. However, the Israelite system introduced a moral and theological dimension by emphasizing the need for fair judgement and the protection of the innocent, reflecting God's character as just and merciful.
The establishment of cities of refuge (designated in Numbers 35 and later in Joshua 20) was an innovative legal measure to provide a fair trial and protection for those who were not guilty of murder but had caused a death without malice aforethought. This system aimed to prevent blood feuds and ensure that justice was administered by the community rather than through personal vengeance.
In summary, Numbers 35:23 is part of a legislative text that seeks to establish a just society by providing clear guidelines for dealing with cases of accidental death, balancing the need for justice with the requirement to protect the innocent.
*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: H68
There are 1276 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶבֶן
Transliteration: ʼeben
Pronunciation: eh'-ben
Description: from the root of בָּנָה through the meaning to build; a stone; [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s). - 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: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - 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. - Strong's Number: H5307
There are 403 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָפַל
Transliteration: nâphal
Pronunciation: naw-fal'
Description: a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative); be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for פָּלַל), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. - Strong's Number: H341
There are 481 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹיֵב
Transliteration: ʼôyêb
Pronunciation: o-yabe'
Description: or (fully) אוֹיֵב; active participle of אָיַב; hating; an adversary; enemy, foe. - Strong's Number: H1245
There are 215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּקַשׁ
Transliteration: bâqash
Pronunciation: baw-kash'
Description: a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after; ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). - Strong's Number: H7451
There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַע
Transliteration: raʻ
Pronunciation: rah
Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).