Numbers 35:21
Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
Original Language Analysis
א֣וֹ
H176
א֣וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
1 of 17
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
הַמַּכֶּ֖ה
he that smote
H5221
הַמַּכֶּ֖ה
he that smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
3 of 17
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בְיָדוֹ֙
him with his hand
H3027
בְיָדוֹ֙
him with his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 17
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
יָמִ֛ית
be put to death
H4191
יָמִ֛ית
be put to death
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
5 of 17
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
יָמִ֛ית
be put to death
H4191
יָמִ֛ית
be put to death
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
6 of 17
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
יָמִ֛ית
be put to death
H4191
יָמִ֛ית
be put to death
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
7 of 17
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
הַמַּכֶּ֖ה
he that smote
H5221
הַמַּכֶּ֖ה
he that smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
8 of 17
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
הָֽרֹצֵ֖חַ
for he is a murderer
H7523
הָֽרֹצֵ֖חַ
for he is a murderer
Strong's:
H7523
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
ה֑וּא
H1931
ה֑וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
10 of 17
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
גֹּאֵ֣ל
the revenger
H1350
גֹּאֵ֣ל
the revenger
Strong's:
H1350
Word #:
11 of 17
to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido
הַדָּ֗ם
of blood
H1818
הַדָּ֗ם
of blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
12 of 17
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
יָמִ֛ית
be put to death
H4191
יָמִ֛ית
be put to death
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
13 of 17
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽרֹצֵ֖חַ
for he is a murderer
H7523
הָֽרֹצֵ֖חַ
for he is a murderer
Strong's:
H7523
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
Historical Context
The distinction between sinah (hatred, v.20) and eivah (enmity, v.21) reflects nuanced Hebrew legal terminology developed during Israel's wilderness period (1446-1406 BC). Later rabbinic interpretation required witnesses to testify specifically about the killer's prior hostility.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God's law require capital punishment for murder—what does this reveal about the sanctity of human life created in God's image?
- How does the emphasis on enmity (<em>eivah</em>) versus sudden passion distinguish degrees of culpability in biblical justice?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Or in enmity smite him with his hand (בְאֵיבָה, b'eivah)—enmity (from oyev, 'enemy') denotes ongoing hostility, not momentary anger. Even bare-handed killing qualified as murder if driven by sustained hatred. The law penetrates beyond the weapon to the will: murder resides in enmity, not merely in the instrument.
The revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him—this refrain (cf. v.19) establishes the go'el's right and duty. The repetition throughout verses 16-21 creates a legal drumbeat: willful murder demands capital justice. Yet verse 22 introduces the merciful alternative for accidental homicide.