Numbers 35:17 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

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.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

And if someone throws a stone that could kill a person, and that person dies, then the one who threw it is a murderer. That murderer must be put to death.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse establishes that intentionally killing someone with a thrown stone counts as murder and deserves the death penalty.

📚 Historical Context

In the book of Numbers, God was providing laws to the Israelites through Moses as they journeyed toward the Promised Land, establishing a system of justice for a nomadic and tribal society. This verse specifically addresses intentional murder, such as killing someone by throwing a stone, within a broader context of rules about cities of refuge that protected those who accidentally caused death from wrongful revenge. It reflects the ancient Israelite emphasis on maintaining community order and the sanctity of life through clear legal consequences.

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Numbers 35:20

But if someone pushes another person out of hatred, or throws something at them while lying in wait to ambush them, and that person dies;

Deuteronomy 13:9

Instead, you must certainly put him to death. You must be the first to throw stones at him to kill him, and then all the people must join in.

Numbers 35:18

Or if someone strikes another person with a wooden weapon that could kill, and the person dies, then the attacker is a murderer. That murderer must be put to death.

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