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Numbers 35:17

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 35:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And if he smote him with a stone in the hand, whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And if he smote him with a stone in the hand, whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
Numbers 35:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 35

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14Ye shall give three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan; they shall be cities of refuge.
15For the children of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, shall these six cities be for refuge; that every one that killeth any person unwittingly may flee thither.
16But 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.
17And if he smote him with a stone in the hand, whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
18Or if he smote him with a weapon of wood in the hand, whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
19The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death: when he meeteth him, he shall put him to death.
20And if he thrust him of hatred, or hurled at him, lying in wait, so that he died,
← Numbers 35:16Numbers 35:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And if he smite him with throwing a stone, etc.] “Or with a stone of the hand” f517, which the Jews interpret of a stone so big as to fill a man’s hand, and so wherewith he may die; at whom it is thrown; is sufficient to cause his death, if struck with it; so the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it of a “stone of fulness of hands, which is sufficient that a man may die with it,” or be killed by it: and he die; by the blow he receives from it, either immediately or in a short time after: he is a murderer, and the murderer shall surely be put to death; as in the above case.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“throwing a stone: Heb. a stone of the hand, Exo 21:18 Numbers 35:19”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification