Numbers 35:22 - “‘But if he shoved him suddenly without hostility, or hurled on him anything without lying in wait,
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Numbers 35:22" mean?
Numbers 35:22 is part of a larger section of the Bible dealing with accidental killings and the provision of cities of refuge. This specific verse describes a scenario where a person accidentally kills someone else. Let's break it down:
"But if he shoved him suddenly without hostility...": This implies that the person who caused the death did so without malice or intention. The act of "shoving" was a spontaneous act, not a planned attack. There was no prior ill-will or hatred.
"...or hurled on him anything without lying in wait...": This covers other accidental means of causing death. "Hurled on him anything" could be any object thrown or dropped on the person. "Without lying in wait" emphasizes that there was no ambush or pre-planning involved. The person was not deliberately setting a trap to harm the other person.
In essence, this verse is describing an accidental death that occurred without malice, premeditation, or intent to harm. It's distinguishing between manslaughter and murder.
Here's why this distinction is important in the context of Numbers 35:
Cities of Refuge: The verses surrounding this one discuss cities of refuge. These were cities where someone who accidentally killed another person could flee for safety. The purpose was to protect them from the victim's family who might seek revenge.
Justice and Intent: The legal system established in the Old Testament recognized that intent mattered. If someone intentionally murdered another person, they would be subject to capital punishment. However, if the death was accidental, the perpetrator could find sanctuary in a city of refuge.
Therefore, the verse you quoted is crucial in defining what constitutes an accidental killing that would warrant the protection of a city of refuge. It clarifies that the death must have occurred without any prior hostility or planned malicious intent.
Numbers 35:22 - “‘But if he shoved him suddenly without hostility, or hurled on him anything without lying in wait,
What does "Numbers 35:22" mean?
Numbers 35:22 is part of a larger section of the Bible dealing with accidental killings and the provision of cities of refuge. This specific verse describes a scenario where a person accidentally kills someone else. Let's break it down:
"But if he shoved him suddenly without hostility...": This implies that the person who caused the death did so without malice or intention. The act of "shoving" was a spontaneous act, not a planned attack. There was no prior ill-will or hatred.
"...or hurled on him anything without lying in wait...": This covers other accidental means of causing death. "Hurled on him anything" could be any object thrown or dropped on the person. "Without lying in wait" emphasizes that there was no ambush or pre-planning involved. The person was not deliberately setting a trap to harm the other person.
In essence, this verse is describing an accidental death that occurred without malice, premeditation, or intent to harm. It's distinguishing between manslaughter and murder.
Here's why this distinction is important in the context of Numbers 35:
Cities of Refuge: The verses surrounding this one discuss cities of refuge. These were cities where someone who accidentally killed another person could flee for safety. The purpose was to protect them from the victim's family who might seek revenge.
Justice and Intent: The legal system established in the Old Testament recognized that intent mattered. If someone intentionally murdered another person, they would be subject to capital punishment. However, if the death was accidental, the perpetrator could find sanctuary in a city of refuge.
Therefore, the verse you quoted is crucial in defining what constitutes an accidental killing that would warrant the protection of a city of refuge. It clarifies that the death must have occurred without any prior hostility or planned malicious intent.