Numbers 35:20 Meaning and Explanation
“But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Killing someone out of hatred, especially through ambush, constitutes murder.
The Context of Numbers 35:20
Murder is defined by hatred and premeditation.
What Does Numbers 35:20 Mean?
Hatred as a motive signals intentional harm. Thrusting at someone in hatred or hurling a weapon in ambush demonstrates premeditated malice. If death follows, it is murder, not accident.
Laying of wait (setting an ambush) rules out any claim of unintentional killing. Premeditation combined with action indicates conscious intent to harm or kill.
Numbers 35:20 in the Original Language
hatred (שִׂנְאָה, sinaah) — malice or enmity, the emotional foundation of intentional harm.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 35:20
What does Numbers 35:20 mean?
Killing someone out of hatred, especially through ambush, constitutes murder.
What is the context of Numbers 35:20?
Murder is defined by hatred and premeditation.