Numbers 35:22 (KJV)

What does Numbers 35:22 mean?

Numbers 35:22 explains that if someone kills another person suddenly, without hatred or premeditation, the act is not treated as murder. The verse sets apart accidental or unintentional killing from intentional acts, making it clear that motive and planning matter in judging the event.

In this part of Numbers, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about how to handle cases of killing. The focus is on situations where a person causes another’s death unexpectedly, without having a grudge or lying in wait. This distinction is important because it affects whether the person is considered a murderer or someone who caused a tragic accident.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 35:22

• "thrust" (דָּחָה, dāḥāh): This word means to push or shove. Here, it describes a physical action that leads to harm but is not done with intent to kill.
• "suddenly" (פִּתְאֹם, pitʾom): This word means unexpectedly or all at once. It emphasizes that the event happened without warning or planning.
• "without enmity" (בְּלֹא אֵיבָה, belō ʾēvāh): "Enmity" means hatred or hostility. The phrase makes clear that there was no personal grudge or ongoing conflict involved.
• "cast" (שָׁלַךְ, shālaḵ): This word means to throw or hurl. It covers situations where something is thrown that ends up causing death, again without intent.
• "wait" (צָדָה, tsādāh): This word means to lie in ambush or set a trap. The verse rules out any idea that the act was planned or premeditated.

Why Numbers 35:22 matters

• Numbers 35:22 clarifies the difference between murder and accidental killing, which is central to the laws about justice and sanctuary cities in this chapter.
• The verse shows that the law takes into account not just the outcome but also the motive and circumstances, emphasizing fairness and careful judgment.
• Understanding this verse helps explain why the Israelites had cities of refuge—places where someone who killed accidentally could flee for protection until their case was heard.