Numbers 35:22
But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,
Original Language Analysis
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 12
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
בְּפֶ֥תַע
him suddenly
H6621
בְּפֶ֥תַע
him suddenly
Strong's:
H6621
Word #:
2 of 12
a wink, i.e., moment (used only [with or without preposition] adverbially, quickly or unexpectedly)
בְּלֹ֥א
without
H3808
בְּלֹ֥א
without
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אוֹ
H176
אוֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
6 of 12
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
הִשְׁלִ֥יךְ
or have cast
H7993
הִשְׁלִ֥יךְ
or have cast
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
7 of 12
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
עָלָ֛יו
H5921
עָלָ֛יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כְּלִ֖י
upon him any thing
H3627
כְּלִ֖י
upon him any thing
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
10 of 12
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
Historical Context
Accidental deaths were common in ancient agrarian societies: axes flying off handles (Deuteronomy 19:5), construction accidents, animal-related incidents. Without the refuge city provision, blood feuds would spiral endlessly, destabilizing tribal society. The cities balanced justice (vv.16-21) with mercy (vv.22-28).
Questions for Reflection
- How do the cities of refuge demonstrate that God's justice system distinguishes between moral guilt and tragic accident?
- What does the sudden/without-enmity distinction teach about the difference between sinning willfully versus being overtaken in a fault (Galatians 6:1)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity—the pivotal 'but' (v'im, 'and if') transitions from murder (vv.16-21) to manslaughter. Suddenly (בְּפֶתַע, b'feta) means 'unexpectedly, in an instant'—no premeditation, no prior hostility. Without enmity (בְּלֹא אֵיבָה, b'lo eivah) explicitly contrasts verse 21's 'in enmity.'
Or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait—contrasts verse 20's ambush (bitsediyah). This verse legally defines accidental homicide: unintentional, unplanned, arising from circumstances rather than malice. For such cases, the cities of refuge offered asylum—grace for the guilty-but-not-culpable.