Numbers 35:20

20 "And if out of sheer hatred a man pushes another or from ambush throws something at him and he dies,

Numbers 35:20 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 35:20

But if he thrust him of hatred
Or, "and if" ^F18, since the Scripture is still speaking of such that shall die for murder, though in another instance, without having the privilege of a city of refuge; if he thrusts him with a sword or knife, or rather, since, if anything of that kind is included in the first instance of smiting with an instrument of iron, push him down from an high place, as Aben Ezra; so the men of Nazareth intended to have dispatched Christ in that way, ( Luke 4:29 )

or hurl at him by lying in wait, that he die;
as a bowing wall, as the same writer instances in, push down that upon him as he passes along, lying in wait for him; or throws anything at him, with an intention to kill him, and does; or casts down anything upon him, a large stone, or anything else, by which he dies.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 (Maw) "et si", Pagninus, Montanus.

Numbers 35:20 In-Context

18 "Or if he's carrying a wooden club heavy enough to kill and the man dies, that's murder; he's a murderer and must be put to death.

19 "In such cases the avenger has a right to kill the murderer when he meets him - he can kill him on the spot.

20 "And if out of sheer hatred a man pushes another or from ambush throws something at him and he dies,

21 or angrily hits him with his fist and kills him, that's murder - he must be put to death. The avenger has a right to kill him when he gets him.

22 "If, however, he impulsively pushes someone and there is no history of hard feelings, or he impetuously picks up something and throws it,