Numbers 35:30

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 1 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַ֨כֵּה Whoso killeth H5221
מַ֨כֵּה Whoso killeth
Strong's: H5221
Word #: 2 of 14
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בְנֶ֖פֶשׁ against any person H5315
בְנֶ֖פֶשׁ against any person
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 3 of 14
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
לְפִ֣י by the mouth H6310
לְפִ֣י by the mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 4 of 14
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
וְעֵ֣ד of witnesses H5707
וְעֵ֣ד of witnesses
Strong's: H5707
Word #: 5 of 14
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
הָֽרֹצֵ֑חַ shall be put to death H7523
הָֽרֹצֵ֑חַ shall be put to death
Strong's: H7523
Word #: 6 of 14
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽרֹצֵ֑חַ shall be put to death H7523
הָֽרֹצֵ֑חַ shall be put to death
Strong's: H7523
Word #: 8 of 14
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
וְעֵ֣ד of witnesses H5707
וְעֵ֣ד of witnesses
Strong's: H5707
Word #: 9 of 14
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
אֶחָ֔ד but one H259
אֶחָ֔ד but one
Strong's: H259
Word #: 10 of 14
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 11 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַעֲנֶ֥ה shall not testify H6030
יַעֲנֶ֥ה shall not testify
Strong's: H6030
Word #: 12 of 14
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,
בְנֶ֖פֶשׁ against any person H5315
בְנֶ֖פֶשׁ against any person
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 13 of 14
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
לָמֽוּת׃ to cause him to die H4191
לָמֽוּת׃ to cause him to die
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 14 of 14
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis & Commentary

Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses (עַל־פִּי עֵדִים, al-pi edim)—literally 'upon the mouth of witnesses.' Capital punishment required eyewitness testimony, not circumstantial evidence or hearsay. But one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die—the two-witness rule (Deuteronomy 17:6, 19:15) protected the accused from false accusation.

This safeguard profoundly influenced New Testament ecclesiology (Matthew 18:16, 2 Corinthians 13:1, 1 Timothy 5:19). Jesus Himself was condemned on false testimony (Matthew 26:60-61), fulfilling Isaiah 53:7-8's prophecy of the silent Lamb before unjust accusers. Yet His resurrection validated His innocence, overturning the illegal verdict.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern law codes generally lacked Israel's rigorous evidentiary standards. The two-witness requirement (enhanced to three in rabbinic tradition) made capital convictions rare in practice, despite the Law's theoretical death penalties. This reflects God's desire for mercy within justice (Ezekiel 33:11).

Questions for Reflection

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