Numbers 35:16

“And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, etc.] As with an hatchet, hammer, sword, knife, etc. he is a murderer; the instrument used by him, and with which he smote, shows that he had a bad design, and intended to kill, or he would never have smitten a man with such an instrument: the murderer shall surely be put to death; be condemned to death, and be executed, by the order of the civil magistrate, according to the law in (<010906>Genesis 9:6) and not be allowed the benefit of a city of refuge.”

“If he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, &c.--Various cases are here enumerated in which the Goel or avenger was at liberty to take the life of the murderer; and every one of them proves a premeditated purpose.”

“The sense is: Inasmuch as to take another man’s life by any means whatsoever is murder, and exposes the murderer to the penalty of retaliation; so, if the deed is done in hostility, it is in truth actual murder, and the murderer shall be slain; but if it be not done in hostility, then the congregation shall interpose to stop the avenger’s hand. Numbers 35:19 When he meeteth him - Provided, of course, it were without a city of refuge. Numbers 35:24 The case of the innocent slayer is here contemplated. In a doubtful case there would necessarily have to be a judicial decision as to the guilt or innocence of the person who claimed the right of asylum. Numbers 35:25 The homicide was safe only…”

“If he smite him - Wittingly and wilfully, though not with premeditated malice. He shall be put to death - Yea though he were fled into the city of refuge. Numbers 35:19”

“if he smite: Num 35:22-24; Deu 19:11-13 the: Num 35:30-33; Gen 9:5, Gen 9:6; Exo 21:12-14; Lev 24:17 Numbers 35:17”

“Special instructions are given in Num 35:16-28, with reference to the judicial procedure. First of all ( Num 35:16-21), with regard to qualified slaying or murder. If any person has struck another with an iron instrument (an axe, hatchet, hammer, etc.), or "with a stone of the hand, from which one dies," i.e., with a stone which filled the hand, - a large stone, therefore, with which it was possible to kill, - or "with a wooden instrument of the hand, from which one dies," i.e., with a thick club, or a large, strong wooden instrument, and he then died (so that he died in consequence), he was a murderer, who was to be put to death. "For the suspicion would rest upon any one who had used an…”