New International Version “’If anyone strikes someone a fatal blow with an iron object, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death. New Living Translation “But if someone strikes and kills another person with a piece of iron, it is murder, and the murderer must be executed. English Standard Version “But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall 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. Berean Literal Bible But if he strikes him with an iron implement and he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. King James Bible 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. New King James Version ‘But if he strikes him with an iron implement, so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. New American Standard Bible ‘But if he struck him with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer must be put to death. NASB 1995 ‘But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. NASB 1977 ‘But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. Legacy Standard Bible ‘But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. Amplified Bible ‘But if he struck his victim down [intentionally] with an iron object so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall certainly be put to death. Berean Annotated 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. Christian Standard Bible “If anyone strikes a person with an iron object and death results, he is a murderer; the murderer must be put to death. Holman Christian Standard Bible If anyone strikes a person with an iron object and death results, he is a murderer; the murderer must 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. English Revised Version But if he smote him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a manslayer: the manslayer shall surely be put to death. GOD'S WORD® Translation "But if any of you uses an iron weapon to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death. International Standard Version "Whoever uses an iron implement to kill someone is to be adjudged a murderer, and that murderer is certainly to be put to death. NET Bible "But if he hits someone with an iron tool so that he dies, he is a murderer. The murderer must surely be put to death. New Heart English Bible "'But if he struck him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. Webster's Bible Translation And if he shall smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he shall die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIf, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. World English Bible “‘But if he struck him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd if he has struck him with an instrument of iron, and he dies, he [is] a murderer: the murderer is certainly put to death. Berean Literal Bible But if he strikes him with an iron implement and he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. Young's Literal Translation And if with an instrument of iron he hath smitten him, and he dieth, he is a murderer: the murderer is certainly put to death. Smith's Literal Translation And if with an instrument of iron he smote him, the slayer shall die; the slayer he dying, shall die. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf any man strike with iron, and he die that was struck : he shall be guilty of murder, and he himself shall die. Catholic Public Domain Version If anyone will have struck someone with iron, and he who was struck will have died, then he shall be guilty of homicide, and he himself shall die. New American Bible If someone strikes another with an iron instrument and causes death, that person is a murderer, and the murderer must be put to death. New Revised Standard Version But anyone who strikes another with an iron object, and death ensues, is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut if he struck him with an instrument of iron, so that he might die, and he did die, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And if he struck him with an implement of iron so that he would die, and he died, he is a murderer; that murderer certainly shall be killed. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation And if he should smite him with an iron instrument, and the man should die, he is a murderer; let the murderer by all means be put to death. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Six Cities of Refuge…15These six cities will serve as a refuge for the Israelites and for the foreigner or stranger among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there. 16If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. 17Or if anyone has in his hand a stone of deadly size, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death.… Cross References If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, Exodus 21:12 Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. Deuteronomy 19:11 If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, Deuteronomy 19:12 the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. he is a murderer; Exodus 21:14 But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death. 1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. 1 Kings 2:32 The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. the murderer must surely be put to death. Genesis 9:6 Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind. Leviticus 24:17 And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death. Deuteronomy 19:13 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. Matthew 5:21-22 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. Romans 13:9 The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Deuteronomy 27:24 ‘Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 1 Kings 2:5-6 Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. 1 Timothy 1:9 We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, Matthew 26:52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Revelation 13:10 “If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints. Treasury of Scripture 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. if he smite Numbers 35:22-24 But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait, … Deuteronomy 19:11-13 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: … the Numbers 35:30-33 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… Genesis 9:5,6 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… Exodus 21:12-14 He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death… Jump to Previous Blow Causing Death Die Died Dies Dieth Instrument Iron Life Murderer Object Smite Smitten Smote Someone Strikes Struck Surely TakerJump to Next Blow Causing Death Die Died Dies Dieth Instrument Iron Life Murderer Object Smite Smitten Smote Someone Strikes Struck Surely TakerNumbers 35 1. Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof6. Six of them are to be cities of refuge 9. The laws of murder and manslaughter 31. No satisfaction for murder If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, An iron implement was readily capable of causing a fatal wound, whether a weapon or tool. Deliberately using such an object to kill established that the death was not accidental, under the law of retribution. Exo 21:12 Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. he is a murderer; The offender was accountable for intentionally taking a life made in God’s image. Israel’s law distinguished such deliberate killing from unintentional death. Exo 21:14 But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor… the murderer must surely be put to death. Capital punishment upheld the sanctity of human life and removed the guilty offender from the covenant community. Gen 9:6 Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood… Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe people to whom the laws in Numbers were given, as they were preparing to enter the Promised Land. 2. Moses The leader of the Israelites who received and communicated God's laws to the people. 3. The Cities of Refuge Designated places where someone who killed another unintentionally could flee for safety until a trial could be held. 4. The Murderer The individual who intentionally kills another person, as described in this verse. 5. The Victim The person who is struck and killed with an iron object, highlighting the severity of the act. Teaching Points The Sanctity of LifeHuman life is sacred because it is created in the image of God. This verse underscores the seriousness of taking a life and the corresponding justice required. Intent Matters The distinction between murder and manslaughter is crucial. Intentional harm is met with severe consequences, reflecting God's justice. Justice and Mercy While justice demands the life of a murderer, the provision of cities of refuge shows God's mercy for those who act without intent. Guarding the Heart Jesus teaches that murder begins in the heart with anger and hatred. Believers are called to examine their hearts and seek reconciliation. Community Responsibility The community plays a role in upholding justice and providing refuge, reflecting the balance of justice and mercy in God's law. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 35:16?2. How does Numbers 35:16 define intentional murder and its consequences for believers today? 3. What does Numbers 35:16 teach about the value of human life in God's eyes? 4. How does Numbers 35:16 connect with the commandment "You shall not murder"? 5. In what ways can we apply the justice principles from Numbers 35:16 today? 6. How should Numbers 35:16 influence our views on justice and accountability in society? 7. How does Numbers 35:16 align with the concept of justice in the Bible? 8. What historical context influenced the laws in Numbers 35:16? 9. Does Numbers 35:16 support capital punishment, and how is it justified? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 35? Verse 16. - With an instrument of iron. There is no reasonable doubt that בַּרְיֶל has here (as elsewhere) its proper meaning of iron. The expression must be held to include both weapons and other instruments; the former may have been mostly made of bronze, but where iron is used at all it is sure to be employed in war. Numbers 35:16 draws a bright line between accidental death and deliberate murder. When someone intentionally strikes another with a lethal instrument and death follows, God names the act “murder” and commands the ultimate penalty. The verse upholds the sanctity of human life, affirms just retribution, and distinguishes carefully between mercy and judgment—reflecting a God who is both compassionate and uncompromisingly righteous. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew If, however,וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not anyone strikes הִכָּ֛הוּ (hik·kā·hū) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 5221: To strike a person with an iron בַרְזֶ֧ל ׀ (ḇar·zel) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1270: Iron, an iron implement object בִּכְלִ֨י (biḵ·lî) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus and kills him, וַיָּמֹ֖ת (way·yā·mōṯ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill he ה֑וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is a murderer; רֹצֵ֣חַֽ (rō·ṣê·aḥ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7523: To dash in pieces, kill, to murder the murderer הָרֹצֵֽחַ׃ (hā·rō·ṣê·aḥ) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7523: To dash in pieces, kill, to murder must surely be put to death. מ֥וֹת (mō·wṯ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 4191: To die, to kill Additonal Resources Numbers 35:16 Blue Letter BibleNumbers 35:16 Bible Gateway Numbers 35:16 Bible.com Numbers 35:16 NIV |
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