King James Version

What Does Numbers 35:17 Mean?

Numbers 35:17 in the King James Version says “And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. with: Heb. with a stone of the hand”

Numbers 35:17 · KJV

Context

15

These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.

16

And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

17

And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. with: Heb. with a stone of the hand

18

Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

19

The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.

Read Numbers 35 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die—a second category of murder: using projectile weapons capable of inflicting fatal injury. The phrase 'wherewith he may die' (אֲשֶׁר־יָמוּת בָּהּ, asher-yamut bah) indicates the stone's deadly potential was known to the assailant. This wasn't a pebble thrown in jest but a rock selected and hurled with lethal force.

The repetition he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death appears throughout verses 16-21, a liturgical refrain emphasizing that intent, not just outcome, determines guilt. God judges the heart's malice, not merely the hand's action (cf. Matthew 5:21-22).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Stone-throwing was common in ancient Near Eastern conflicts and judicial executions (Leviticus 24:16, John 8:59). The law's specificity regarding stone size and throwing distance reflects the casual availability of stones as weapons in Israel's rocky terrain.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the criterion 'wherewith he may die' demonstrate that biblical justice evaluates both means and motive?
  2. What New Testament principle echoes this law's concern with the heart's intent behind outward actions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְאִ֡ם1 of 13
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

בְּאֶ֣בֶן2 of 13

“a stone”

H68

a stone

יָד֩3 of 13

“him with throwing”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֲשֶׁר4 of 13
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יוּמַ֖ת5 of 13

“and he die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בָּ֥הּ6 of 13
H0
הִכָּ֛הוּ7 of 13

“And if he smite”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

יוּמַ֖ת8 of 13

“and he die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

הָֽרֹצֵֽחַ׃9 of 13

“he is a murderer”

H7523

properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder

ה֑וּא10 of 13
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יוּמַ֖ת11 of 13

“and he die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

יוּמַ֖ת12 of 13

“and he die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

הָֽרֹצֵֽחַ׃13 of 13

“he is a murderer”

H7523

properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 35:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 35:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 21:18

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