Numbers 35:20 - If he shoved him out of hatred, or hurled at him, lying in wait, so that he died,
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What does "Numbers 35:20" mean?
Numbers 35:20 describes a scenario of manslaughter/murder, specifically addressing cases where the act wasn't accidental. Let's break down the verse:
"If he shoved him out of hatred...": This implies a direct, intentional act of violence motivated by hatred. It's not an accident; it's a deliberate push intended to harm the victim.
"...or hurled at him, lying in wait...": This describes another scenario where the perpetrator deliberately attacks the victim, but this time using a projectile. "Lying in wait" indicates premeditation - the attacker was waiting in ambush, planning the assault. The projectile could be a rock, a spear, or anything else thrown with the intent to cause harm.
"...so that he died": This is the consequence. The act, whether a shove or a hurled object, results in the death of the victim.
In essence, the verse outlines two ways a person could be held responsible for intentional manslaughter/murder:
1. Physical Assault (Shoving): A direct, physical attack driven by hatred.
2. Premeditated Attack (Hurling): An ambush where the attacker uses a projectile to intentionally harm the victim.
In both cases, the key elements are:
Intent: The action is not accidental; it's deliberate and driven by negative emotions (hatred) or a pre-planned attack.
Causation: The action (shove or projectile) directly leads to the victim's death.
Context within Numbers 35:
This verse is part of a larger discussion about cities of refuge. These cities were designated as safe havens for people who had killed someone accidentally. The purpose of these verses is to distinguish between accidental death and intentional manslaughter/murder. Those who committed accidental manslaughter could flee to a city of refuge and be protected from blood vengeance. However, those who acted intentionally (as described in this verse) were not eligible for refuge and could be pursued by the victim's family for retribution.
The distinction was crucial for maintaining justice and preventing cycles of violence. The verses seek to ensure that those who caused accidental death are protected, while those who intentionally took a life are held accountable.
Numbers 35:20 - If he shoved him out of hatred, or hurled at him, lying in wait, so that he died,
What does "Numbers 35:20" mean?
Numbers 35:20 describes a scenario of manslaughter/murder, specifically addressing cases where the act wasn't accidental. Let's break down the verse:
"If he shoved him out of hatred...": This implies a direct, intentional act of violence motivated by hatred. It's not an accident; it's a deliberate push intended to harm the victim.
"...or hurled at him, lying in wait...": This describes another scenario where the perpetrator deliberately attacks the victim, but this time using a projectile. "Lying in wait" indicates premeditation - the attacker was waiting in ambush, planning the assault. The projectile could be a rock, a spear, or anything else thrown with the intent to cause harm.
"...so that he died": This is the consequence. The act, whether a shove or a hurled object, results in the death of the victim.
In essence, the verse outlines two ways a person could be held responsible for intentional manslaughter/murder:
1. Physical Assault (Shoving): A direct, physical attack driven by hatred.
2. Premeditated Attack (Hurling): An ambush where the attacker uses a projectile to intentionally harm the victim.
In both cases, the key elements are:
Intent: The action is not accidental; it's deliberate and driven by negative emotions (hatred) or a pre-planned attack.
Causation: The action (shove or projectile) directly leads to the victim's death.
Context within Numbers 35:
This verse is part of a larger discussion about cities of refuge. These cities were designated as safe havens for people who had killed someone accidentally. The purpose of these verses is to distinguish between accidental death and intentional manslaughter/murder. Those who committed accidental manslaughter could flee to a city of refuge and be protected from blood vengeance. However, those who acted intentionally (as described in this verse) were not eligible for refuge and could be pursued by the victim's family for retribution.
The distinction was crucial for maintaining justice and preventing cycles of violence. The verses seek to ensure that those who caused accidental death are protected, while those who intentionally took a life are held accountable.