Numbers 35:20

20 And if he stabbed him from hatred, or hurled at him, lying in wait, so that 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.


FOOTNOTES:

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

Numbers 35:20 In-Context

18 Or if he struck him down with a weapon of wood in the hand, by which a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death.
19 The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death.
20 And if he stabbed him from hatred, or hurled at him, lying in wait, so that he died,
21 or in enmity struck him down with his hand, so that he died, then he who struck the blow shall be put to death; he is a murderer; the avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death, when he meets him.
22 "But if he stabbed him suddenly without enmity, or hurled anything on him without lying in wait,
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.