Numbers 35:16

16 If any man strike with iron, and he die that was struck: he shall be guilty of murder, and he himself shall die.

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 Three shall be beyond the Jordan, and three in the land of Chanaan,

15 As well for the children of Israel as for strangers and sojourners, that he may flee to them, who hath shed blood against his will.

16 If any man strike with iron, and he die that was struck: he shall be guilty of murder, and he himself shall die.

17 If he throw a stone, and he that is struck die: he shall be punished in the same manner.

18 If he that is struck with wood die: he shall be revenged by the blood of him that struck him.