Numbers 35:30

Authorized King James Version

Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#2
מַ֨כֵּה
Whoso killeth
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#3
בְנֶ֖פֶשׁ
against any person
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#4
לְפִ֣י
by the mouth
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#5
וְעֵ֣ד
of witnesses
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
#6
הָֽרֹצֵ֑חַ
shall be put to death
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
#7
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
הָֽרֹצֵ֑חַ
shall be put to death
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
#9
וְעֵ֣ד
of witnesses
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
#10
אֶחָ֔ד
but one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#11
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#12
יַעֲנֶ֥ה
shall not testify
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#13
בְנֶ֖פֶשׁ
against any person
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#14
לָמֽוּת׃
to cause him to die
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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