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.
If someone strikes another person with an iron weapon and kills them, that person is a murderer. The murderer must be put to death.
This verse establishes that killing someone with a metal weapon makes you a murderer who deserves the death penalty.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Numbers, God was giving detailed laws to the Israelites as they prepared to settle in the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. This verse specifically addresses cases of intentional murder, such as striking someone with an iron weapon resulting in death, which required the death penalty to uphold justice and deter violence. These regulations were part of a broader legal framework designed to maintain order and protect the community from ongoing cycles of revenge in ancient Near Eastern culture.
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