Numbers 35:21
Numbers 35:21 Meaning and Explanation
“Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Killing in enmity with a hand strike is murder, ending in execution.
The Context of Numbers 35:21
Hand-to-hand killing in enmity is judged as murder.
What Does Numbers 35:21 Mean?
Enmity (active hostility) combined with a hand strike shows conscious intent. If such a blow causes death, the law identifies the striker as a murderer, not an accidental killer.
The principle is clear: hostile motive plus deadly action equals murder. The avenger then executes the murderer, closing the justice cycle.
Numbers 35:21 in the Original Language
enmity (אֵיבָה, eyvah) — hostility or enmity, often used of tribal blood-feuds and deep-rooted conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 35:21
What does Numbers 35:21 mean?
Killing in enmity with a hand strike is murder, ending in execution.
What is the context of Numbers 35:21?
Hand-to-hand killing in enmity is judged as murder.