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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/35.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/35.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />or, without seeing them, drops on them a stone heavy enough to kill them, and they die, then since that other person was not an enemy and no harm was intended,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/35.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />or accidentally drops a huge stone on someone, though they were not enemies, and the person dies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/35.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />or used a stone that could cause death, and without seeing him dropped it on him, so that he died, though he was not his enemy and did not seek his harm,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/35.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />or without looking drops a heavy stone that kills him, but he was not an enemy and did not intend to harm him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/35.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing <i>him</i> not, and cast <i>it</i> upon him, that he die, and <i>was</i> not his enemy, neither sought his harm:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/35.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />or uses a stone, by which a man could die, throwing <i>it</i> at him without seeing <i>him,</i> so that he dies, while he was not his enemy or seeking his harm,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/35.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />or had any deadly stone, and without looking he dropped <i>it</i> on him so that he died, while he was not his enemy nor was he seeking to harm him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/35.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />or with any deadly object of stone, and without seeing it dropped on him so that he died, while he was not his enemy nor seeking his injury,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/35.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />or with any deadly object of stone, and without seeing it dropped on him so that he died, while he was not his enemy nor seeking his injury,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/35.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />or with any stone—by which one might die, <i>yet</i> without seeing—and it fell upon him, and he died, but he was not his enemy nor seeking his injury,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/35.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />or without seeing him hit him [accidentally] with a stone object that could kill him, and he died, and [the offender] was not his enemy nor intending to harm him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/35.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />or without looking drops a stone that could kill a person and he dies, but he was not his enemy and didn’t intend to harm him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/35.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />or without looking drops a stone that could kill a person and he dies, but he was not his enemy and wasn&#8217t trying to harm him, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/35.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/35.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/35.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Or suppose you drop a big stone, and someone is killed. However, you didn't know the person was there, he wasn't your enemy, and you weren't trying to harm him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/35.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Or suppose that, without looking, you throw a stone that kills someone whom you did not intend to hurt and who was not your enemy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/35.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />or if he hit him with a stone carelessly so that he was fatally injured, though he isn't his enemy and he wasn't seeking to commit evil against him, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/35.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />or without looking drops a heavy stone that kills him, but he was not an enemy and did not intend to harm him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/35.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />or with any stone large enough that a man could die, without seeing him, and throws it at him, and he dies, even though he was not his enemy nor sought his harm,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/35.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />or with any stone, by which a man may die, not seeing him, and cast it on him, so that he died, and he was not his enemy, neither sought his harm;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/35.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Or with any stone, by which a man may die, seeing him not, and shall cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/35.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />or with any stone, by which a man may die, not seeing him, and cast it on him so that he died, and he was not his enemy and not seeking his harm, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/35.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />or with any stone with which he could die, without seeing, indeed, causes [it] to fall on him, and he dies, and he [is] not his enemy, nor seeking his evil,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/35.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> or with any stone wherewith he dieth, without seeing, and causeth it to fall upon him, and he dieth, and he is not his enemy, nor seeking his evil;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/35.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Or with any stone which he shall die by it in not seeing, and it will fall upon him and he shall die, and he not an enemy to him and not seeking his hurt:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/35.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And enmity, he do any of these things, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/35.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />or animosity, he will have done any of these things,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/35.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />or without seeing drops upon another some death-dealing stone and death results, although there was neither enmity nor malice—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/35.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />or, while handling any stone that could cause death, unintentionally drops it on another and death ensues, though they were not enemies, and no harm was intended,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/35.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Or with any stone with which a man may die, without seeing him when he cast it upon him, and he died, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/35.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Or he threw any stone upon him that kills, when he did not see, and he died, and was not his enemy and was not seeking his harm:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/35.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/35.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />or <i>smite him</i> with any stone, whereby a man may die, unawares, and it should fall upon him, and he should die, but he was not his enemy, nor sought to hurt him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/35-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=10909" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/35.htm">Six Cities of Refuge</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>But if anyone pushes a person suddenly, without hostility, or throws an object at him unintentionally, <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ḇə·ḵāl- (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: bə·lō (Prep-b:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">without</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rə·’ō·wṯ (V-Qal-Inf) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">looking</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: way·yap·pêl (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">drops</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/68.htm" title="68: ’e·ḇen (N-fs) -- A stone. From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone.">a heavy stone</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: yā·mūṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill."></a> <a href="/hebrew/bāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: way·yā·mōṯ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">that kills him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">but he</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">was not</a> <a href="/hebrew/341.htm" title="341: ’ō·w·yêḇ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- Hating, an adversary. Or owyeb; active participle of 'ayab; hating; an adversary.">an enemy</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: mə·ḇaq·qêš (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">intend</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā·‘ā·ṯōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">to harm him,</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>then the congregation must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-4.htm">Deuteronomy 19:4-6</a></span><br />Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him: / If he goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut timber and swings his axe to chop down a tree, but the blade flies off the handle and strikes and kills his neighbor, he may flee to one of these cities to save his life. / Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the manslayer in a rage, overtake him if the distance is great, and strike him dead though he did not deserve to die, since he did not intend any harm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/20-3.htm">Joshua 20:3-5</a></span><br />so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. / When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them. / Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the manslayer into his hand, because that man killed his neighbor accidentally without prior malice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/21-13.htm">Exodus 21:13</a></span><br />If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-28.htm">1 Kings 2:28-34</a></span><br />When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/14-14.htm">2 Samuel 14:14</a></span><br />For we will surely die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life, but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/28-4.htm">Acts 28:4</a></span><br />When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-4.htm">Romans 13:4</a></span><br />For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/6-18.htm">Hebrews 6:18</a></span><br />Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15</a></span><br />Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a></span><br />Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/24-17.htm">Leviticus 24:17</a></span><br />And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-11.htm">Deuteronomy 19:11-13</a></span><br />If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, / the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. / You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/14-6.htm">2 Kings 14:6</a></span><br />Yet he did not put the sons of the murderers to death, but acted according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, where the LORD commanded: “Fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Ezekiel 18:20</a></span><br />The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Or with any stone, with which a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it on him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/35-22.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/numbers/35-21.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/exodus/10-17.htm">Deadly</a> <a href="/numbers/35-21.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/32-9.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/numbers/35-21.htm">Die</a> <a href="/numbers/35-21.htm">Died</a> <a href="/numbers/35-21.htm">Dies</a> <a href="/numbers/35-18.htm">Dieth</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-10.htm">Dropped</a> <a href="/numbers/11-7.htm">Drops</a> <a href="/numbers/24-18.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/numbers/32-13.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/numbers/16-15.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/exodus/21-23.htm">Injury</a> <a href="/exodus/2-14.htm">Intend</a> <a href="/numbers/35-18.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/numbers/35-18.htm">Object</a> <a href="/numbers/24-1.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/numbers/16-10.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/numbers/35-21.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/numbers/16-10.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/numbers/35-20.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/numbers/11-5.htm">Used</a> <a href="/numbers/35-18.htm">Whereby</a> <a href="/numbers/35-18.htm">Wherewith</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/6-19.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/numbers/35-30.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-24.htm">Deadly</a> <a href="/numbers/35-24.htm">Death</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-21.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/numbers/35-30.htm">Die</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-16.htm">Died</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-21.htm">Dies</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-21.htm">Dieth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-21.htm">Dropped</a> <a href="/job/36-27.htm">Drops</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-1.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-35.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/joshua/24-20.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/ezra/4-14.htm">Injury</a> <a href="/joshua/22-33.htm">Intend</a> <a href="/numbers/35-27.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-37.htm">Object</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-33.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-4.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-29.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-13.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-10.htm">Used</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-19.htm">Whereby</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-19.htm">Wherewith</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 35</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-1.htm">Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Six of them are to be cities of refuge</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-9.htm">The laws of murder and manslaughter</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-31.htm">No satisfaction for murder</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/35.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/35.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>or without looking drops a heavy stone that kills him</b><br>This phrase addresses the concept of accidental death, which is a significant concern in the Mosaic Law. The scenario described involves an unintentional act that results in the death of another person. In ancient Israel, such situations were treated with great seriousness, as life was considered sacred. The law provided cities of refuge (<a href="/numbers/35-9.htm">Numbers 35:9-15</a>) where someone who caused accidental death could flee to avoid the avenger of blood, a family member seeking retribution. This provision highlights the balance between justice and mercy in the law, recognizing human fallibility while protecting the sanctity of life.<p><b>but he was not an enemy</b><br>This clause emphasizes the lack of premeditation or malice in the act. In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, relationships and intentions were crucial in determining guilt and appropriate punishment. The distinction between an enemy and a non-enemy is significant, as it differentiates between murder and manslaughter. The law required careful examination of motives and relationships, reflecting the biblical principle that God judges the heart (<a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a>). This principle is echoed in the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the importance of inner intentions over outward actions (<a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a>).<p><b>and did not intend to harm him</b><br>The absence of intent to harm further clarifies the nature of the act as accidental. In biblical law, intent played a critical role in determining culpability. The concept of intent is also seen in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches that sin begins in the heart (<a href="/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28</a>). The provision for cities of refuge underscores God's justice and mercy, offering protection to those who acted without malice. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's grace, which provides refuge and forgiveness for those who repent and seek His protection, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our refuge and advocate (<a href="/hebrews/6-18.htm">Hebrews 6:18-20</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_accidental_killer.htm">The Accidental Killer</a></b><br>This refers to a person who unintentionally causes the death of another without malice or premeditation.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_victim.htm">The Victim</a></b><br>The individual who dies as a result of the accidental act.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/cities_of_refuge.htm">Cities of Refuge</a></b><br>These were designated places where someone who committed manslaughter could flee to find protection from the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_avenger_of_blood.htm">The Avenger of Blood</a></b><br>A family member of the deceased who had the cultural duty to avenge the death, unless the killer was proven innocent of murder.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelite_community.htm">The Israelite Community</a></b><br>The broader community that was responsible for upholding God's laws and ensuring justice was served according to His commandments.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_intent_and_justice.htm">Understanding Intent and Justice</a></b><br>The passage highlights the importance of discerning intent in matters of justice. God’s law differentiates between intentional and unintentional acts, emphasizing fairness and mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_for_mercy.htm">God’s Provision for Mercy</a></b><br>The cities of refuge illustrate God’s provision for mercy and protection, even for those who have caused harm unintentionally. This reflects His character as both just and compassionate.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The Israelite community had a role in ensuring justice was served. This teaches us about the importance of communal responsibility in upholding God’s standards.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctity_of_life.htm">The Sanctity of Life</a></b><br>The passage underscores the value God places on human life, requiring careful consideration and due process in cases of accidental death.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/forgiveness_and_reconciliation.htm">Forgiveness and Reconciliation</a></b><br>While the avenger of blood had a cultural role, the provision for cities of refuge points to the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation, foreshadowing the ultimate reconciliation through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_35.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 35</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_snakes.htm">What is the biblical perspective on snakes?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_two_comings.htm">What does the Bible say about praying for enemies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_meaning_of_'love_your_enemies'.htm">What does 'Love Your Enemies' truly mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_jews_and_christians_share_a_god.htm">What does 'You prepare a table before me' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/35-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">א֣וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’ōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> </span><span class="str2">Desire, if</span><br /><br /><span class="word">without</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(bə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">looking</span><br /><span class="heb">רְא֔וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(rə·’ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">drops</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּפֵּ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(way·yap·pêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall, lie</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a heavy stone</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶ֜בֶן</span> <span class="translit">(’e·ḇen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stone</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that kills him,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּמֹ֑ת</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·mōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but he</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהוּא֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an enemy</span><br /><span class="heb">אוֹיֵ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·w·yêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_341.htm">Strong's 341: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hating, an adversary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and did not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">intend</span><br /><span class="heb">מְבַקֵּ֖שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḇaq·qêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To search out, to strive after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to harm him,</span><br /><span class="heb">רָעָתֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(rā·‘ā·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/35-23.htm">Numbers 35:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/35-23.htm">Numbers 35:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/35-23.htm">Numbers 35:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/35-23.htm">Numbers 35:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/35-23.htm">Numbers 35:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/35-23.htm">Numbers 35:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/35-23.htm">Numbers 35:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/35-23.htm">Numbers 35:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/35-23.htm">Numbers 35:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/35-23.htm">Numbers 35:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/35-23.htm">OT Law: Numbers 35:23 Or with any stone by which (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/35-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 35:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 35:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/35-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 35:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 35:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>