Numbers 35:23

23 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;

Numbers 35:23 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 35:23

Or with any stone wherewith a man may die
Which is sufficient to kill a man, if thrown at him:

seeing him not;
and so without intention: the Jews ^F19 from hence gather, that a blind man is to be acquitted and dismissed, and not banished and so stands in no need of a city of refuge; though others say he is to be banished, and needs it, and ought to have the privilege of it:

and cast it upon him that he die;
casting, it upon another account, and with another view, but yet falling upon a man, it kills him;

and was not his enemy, neither sought him harm;
it was never known that they were at variance, or that the slayer had ever by any overt act discovered any malice and enmity against the deceased, by word or deed, or ever sought to do him any injury, either to his person or property.

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 Misn. Maccot, c. 2. sect. 3.

Numbers 35:23 In-Context

21 or in enmity smote him with his hand, so that he died; he that smote him shall surely be put to death; he is a murderer: the avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death, when he meeteth him.

22 But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or hurled upon him anything without lying in wait,

23 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;

24 then the congregation shall judge between the smiter and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances;

25 and the congregation shall deliver the manslayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall dwell therein until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.