Numbers 35:20
New International Version
If anyone with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at them intentionally so that they die

New Living Translation
So if someone hates another person and waits in ambush, then pushes him or throws something at him and he dies, it is murder.

English Standard Version
And if he pushed him out of hatred or hurled something at him, lying in wait, so that he died,

Berean Standard Bible
Likewise, if anyone maliciously pushes another or intentionally throws an object at him and kills him,

King James Bible
But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;

New King James Version
If he pushes him out of hatred or, while lying in wait, hurls something at him so that he dies,

New American Standard Bible
Now if he pushed him in hatred, or he threw something at him with malicious intent, and as a result he died,

NASB 1995
If he pushed him of hatred, or threw something at him lying in wait and as a result he died,

NASB 1977
‘And if he pushed him of hatred, or threw something at him lying in wait and as a result he died,

Legacy Standard Bible
And if he pushed him of hatred or threw something at him lying in wait and as a result he died,

Amplified Bible
But if he pushed his victim out of hatred or threw something at him with malicious intent, and he died,

Christian Standard Bible
Likewise, if anyone in hatred pushes a person or throws an object at him with malicious intent and he dies,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Likewise, if anyone in hatred pushes a person or throws an object at him with malicious intent and he dies,

American Standard Version
And if he thrust him of hatred, or hurled at him, lying in wait, so that he died,

English Revised Version
And if he thrust him of hatred, or hurled at him, lying in wait, so that he died;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If any of you kills someone you hate by shoving him or by deliberately throwing something at him,

Good News Translation
"If you hate someone and kill him by pushing him down or by throwing something at him

International Standard Version
If the killer shoved his victim out of hatred, or hurled something at him while waiting in ambush so that he died,

Majority Standard Bible
Likewise, if anyone maliciously pushes another or intentionally throws an object at him and kills him,

NET Bible
"But if he strikes him out of hatred or throws something at him intentionally so that he dies,

New Heart English Bible
If he thrust him of hatred, or hurled at him, lying in wait, so that he died,

Webster's Bible Translation
But if he shall thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying in wait, that he die.

World English Bible
If he shoved him out of hatred, or hurled something at him while lying in wait, so that he died,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And if he pushes him in hatred, or has cast [anything] at him by lying in wait, and he dies,

Young's Literal Translation
And if in hatred he thrust him through, or hath cast anything at him by lying in wait, and he dieth;

Smith's Literal Translation
And if in hatred he thrust at him, or cast upon him, or in lying in wait, he shall die.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If through hatred any one push a man, or fling any thing- at him with ill design:

Catholic Public Domain Version
If, out of hatred, anyone assaults a man, or throws anything at him with ill intent,

New American Bible
If someone pushes another out of hatred, or throws something from an ambush, and death results,

New Revised Standard Version
Likewise, if someone pushes another from hatred, or hurls something at another, lying in wait, and death ensues,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But if he wound him because of hatred, or shoot an arrow at him by lying in wait, that he might die, he is a murderer;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if he struck him with hatred or throws at him by treachery and he died, he is a murderer;
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And if he thrust him of hatred, or hurled at him any thing, lying in wait, so that he died;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if he should thrust him through enmity, or cast any thing upon him from an ambuscade, and the man should die,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Six Cities of Refuge
19The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him. 20Likewise, if anyone maliciously pushes another or intentionally throws an object at him and kills him, 21or if in hostility he strikes him with his hand and he dies, the one who struck him must surely be put to death; he is a murderer. When the avenger of blood finds the murderer, he is to kill him.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 19:11-13
If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, / the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. / You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you.

Exodus 21:12-14
Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. / If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. / But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death.

Joshua 20:3-5
so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. / When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them. / Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the manslayer into his hand, because that man killed his neighbor accidentally without prior malice.

Genesis 9:6
Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.

Leviticus 24:17
And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death.

1 Kings 2:5-6
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.

2 Samuel 14:6-7
And your maidservant had two sons who were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. / Now the whole clan has risen up against your maidservant and said, ‘Hand over the one who struck down his brother, that we may put him to death for the life of the brother whom he killed. Then we will cut off the heir as well!’ So they would extinguish my one remaining ember by not preserving my husband’s name or posterity on the earth.”

2 Kings 21:16
Moreover, Manasseh shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end, in addition to the sin that he had caused Judah to commit, doing evil in the sight of the LORD.

Psalm 10:8-10
He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless. / He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net. / They are crushed and beaten down; the helpless fall prey to his strength.

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...

Matthew 5:21-22
You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

Mark 7:21-23
For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

Luke 11:50-51
As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, / from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.


Treasury of Scripture

But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;

if he thrust

Genesis 4:5,8
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell…

2 Samuel 3:27
And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

2 Samuel 13:22,28,29
And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar…

by laying

Exodus 21:14
But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.

Deuteronomy 19:11
But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:

1 Samuel 18:10,11,25
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand…

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Aforethought Cast Die Died Dies Hate Hatred Hurl Hurled Intentionally Lying Malice Pushed Result Secretly Shoves Something Spear Stabbed Stone Sword Threw Throws Thrust Wait Waiting
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Aforethought Cast Die Died Dies Hate Hatred Hurl Hurled Intentionally Lying Malice Pushed Result Secretly Shoves Something Spear Stabbed Stone Sword Threw Throws Thrust Wait Waiting
Numbers 35
1. Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof
6. Six of them are to be cities of refuge
9. The laws of murder and manslaughter
31. No satisfaction for murder














Likewise
This word serves as a connective term, linking the current verse to the preceding context. In Numbers 35, God is providing laws concerning cities of refuge and the distinction between accidental and intentional killing. The use of "likewise" indicates a continuation of the legal instructions, emphasizing the importance of justice and the sanctity of life. It underscores the consistency of God's law and His desire for fairness and righteousness among His people.

if anyone
This phrase is inclusive, indicating that the law applies universally to all individuals within the community. It reflects the impartiality of God's justice, where no one is above the law. The Hebrew root here suggests a broad application, ensuring that every person is accountable for their actions, reinforcing the communal responsibility to uphold God's standards.

maliciously
The term "maliciously" implies intent and premeditation. In Hebrew, the root word often conveys a sense of evil intent or wickedness. This highlights the moral dimension of the act, distinguishing it from accidental harm. It serves as a reminder of the condition of the human heart and the need for inner transformation through God's guidance and grace.

pushes another
This phrase describes a physical act of aggression. The Hebrew context suggests a deliberate act of violence, not a mere accident. It reflects the seriousness with which God views acts of violence and the importance of maintaining peace and order within the community. It also serves as a warning against allowing anger or hatred to manifest in harmful actions.

intentionally throws an object
Here, the focus is on the deliberateness of the action. The Hebrew language emphasizes the willful nature of the act, indicating a conscious decision to harm another. This phrase underscores the principle that actions have consequences and that individuals must be mindful of their intentions and the potential harm they can cause.

at him and kills him
This part of the verse addresses the outcome of the malicious act—resulting in death. The gravity of taking a life is a central theme in biblical law, reflecting the belief that life is sacred and given by God. The Hebrew context here stresses the finality and seriousness of such an act, reinforcing the need for justice and the provision of cities of refuge as a means to protect the innocent and ensure fair trial.

(20) But if he thrust him . . . --Better, And if . . .

That he die.--Better, that he died. So in Numbers 35:21-23.

Verse 20. - But if. Rather, "and if" (וְאִם). The consideration of willful murder is continued in these two verses, although chiefly with reference to the motive. It is to be understood that the deliberate intent was present in the former cases, and a new case is added, viz., if he smite him with his fist with fatal consequences.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Likewise, if
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

anyone maliciously
בְּשִׂנְאָ֖ה (bə·śin·’āh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8135: Hating, hatred

pushes another
יֶהְדָּפֶ֑נּוּ (yeh·dā·p̄en·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1920: To thrust, drive, push

or
אֽוֹ־ (’ōw-)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

intentionally
בִּצְדִיָּ֖ה (biṣ·ḏî·yāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6660: A lying-in-wait

throws an object
הִשְׁלִ֥יךְ (hiš·lîḵ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away

at him
עָלָ֛יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and kills him,
וַיָּמֹֽת׃ (way·yā·mōṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill


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OT Law: Numbers 35:20 If he thrust him of hatred (Nu Num.)
Numbers 35:19
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