King James Version
What Does Numbers 35:18 Mean?
“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.”
Numbers 35:18 · KJV
Context
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.
20
But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryOr if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die (כְּלִי עֵץ־יָד, keli ets-yad)—literally 'a wooden instrument of the hand,' referring to clubs, staffs, or other hand-wielded wooden implements capable of causing death. The trilateral repetition (iron-v.16, stone-v.17, wood-v.18) covers the three primary materials used for weapons in Bronze/Iron Age warfare.
The legal precision exhaustively categorizes murder scenarios, preventing clever evasion: 'I didn't use iron, merely wood.' God's law closes loopholes, demanding true justice. Yet for the accidental killer, the city of refuge remained open—law tempered with mercy.
The legal precision exhaustively categorizes murder scenarios, preventing clever evasion: 'I didn't use iron, merely wood.' God's law closes loopholes, demanding true justice. Yet for the accidental killer, the city of refuge remained open—law tempered with mercy.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Wooden weapons included olive-wood clubs (1 Samuel 17:40), oak staffs, and acacia rods. While less durable than metal, hardwoods like oak could easily crush a skull, making them deadly instruments when wielded with malicious force during the tribal period (1400-1050 BC).
Reflection Questions
- Why does the law meticulously catalog weapon types—what does this reveal about God's commitment to comprehensive justice?
- How does the threefold repetition (iron, stone, wood) ensure no murderer escapes through technicalities?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 14 wordsבִּכְלִ֣י2 of 14
“weapon”
H3627something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
יָד֩4 of 14
“him with an hand”
H3027a 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
אֲשֶׁר5 of 14
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בּ֥וֹ7 of 14
H0הָֽרֹצֵֽחַ׃10 of 14
“he is a murderer”
H7523properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
ה֑וּא11 of 14
H1931he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הָֽרֹצֵֽחַ׃14 of 14
“he is a murderer”
H7523properly, 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 35:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.