Numbers 35:16

16 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.

Numbers 35:16 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 35:16

And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he
die
As with an hatchet, hammer, sword, knife, &c.

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 ( Genesis 9:6 ) and not be allowed the benefit of a city of refuge.

Numbers 35:16 In-Context

14 Ye shall assign three cities on the other side of Jordan, and ye shall assign three cities in the land of Chanaan.

15 It shall be a place of refuge for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for him that sojourns among you; these cities shall be for a place of refuge, for every one to flee thither who has killed a man unintentionally.

16 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.

17 And if he should smite him with a stone from his hand, whereby a man may die, and he die, he is a murderer; let the murderer by all means be put to death.

18 And if he should smite him with an instrument of wood from his hand, whereby he may die, and he die, he is a murderer; let the murderer by all means be put to death.