Numbers 35:20

20 '¹If he pushed him of hatred, or threw something at him ²lying in wait and as a result he died,

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 struck him with a wooden object in the hand, by which he might die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.

19 'The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death; he shall put him to death when he meets him.

20 'If he pushed him of hatred, or threw something at him lying in wait and as a result he died,

21 or if he struck him down with his hand in enmity, and as a result he died, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death, he is a murderer; the blood avenger shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.

22 'But if he pushed him suddenly without enmity, or threw something at him without lying in wait,

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 4:8; 2 Samuel 3:27; 2 Samuel 20:10
• 2. Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 19:11