Numbers 35:20
But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
Original Language Analysis
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 8
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אֽוֹ
H176
אֽוֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
4 of 8
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
הִשְׁלִ֥יךְ
or hurl
H7993
הִשְׁלִ֥יךְ
or hurl
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
5 of 8
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
עָלָ֛יו
H5921
עָלָ֛יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Exodus 21:14But 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 19:11But 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:Genesis 4:8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.2 Samuel 20:10But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.2 Samuel 3:27And 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.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern law codes (Hammurabi, Assyrian laws) also distinguished between intentional and accidental killing, but Israel's law uniquely probed the heart's motive (sinah, hatred) rather than merely external circumstances, reflecting Yahweh's omniscience (1 Samuel 16:7).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the law's emphasis on hatred (<em>sinah</em>) demonstrate that God judges internal motive, not merely external action?
- What does 'laying of wait' reveal about the wickedness of premeditated sin versus sins of sudden passion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But if he thrust him of hatred (בְּשִׂנְאָה, b'sinah)—the heart's condition determines the act's nature. Hatred (sinah, from the root 'to hate, be hostile') transforms an action into murder. The legal test isn't merely 'Did death result?' but 'What motivated the blow?'
Or hurl at him by laying of wait (בִּצְדִיָּה, bitsediyah)—premeditated ambush. The manslayer who waited in hiding forfeited any claim to accidental homicide. This phrase captures first-degree murder: malice aforethought combined with deliberate planning. No refuge protects the one who plots death.