Numbers 35:23

23 or he accidentally drops a stone tool - a maul or hammer, say - and it hits and kills someone he didn't even know was there, and there's no suspicion that there was bad blood between them,

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 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,

23 or he accidentally drops a stone tool - a maul or hammer, say - and it hits and kills someone he didn't even know was there, and there's no suspicion that there was bad blood between them,

24 the community is to judge between the killer and the avenger following these guidelines.

25 It's the task of the community to save the killer from the hand of the avenger - the community is to return him to his asylum-city to which he fled. He must stay there until the death of the High Priest who was anointed with the holy oil.