Numbers 35:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Killing with a stone while not seeing the victim and with no prior enmity is unintentional.
The Context of Numbers 35:23
Unseen victims and absent enmity indicate unintentional killing.
What Does Numbers 35:23 Mean?
Lack of sight of the victim rules out intentional targeting. No prior enmity and no desire to harm indicate the killer neither planned the death nor harbored malice. These conditions point to accident.
The emphasis on 'seeing him not' is crucial—the killer cannot aim at someone unseen. This accidental element, combined with the absence of premeditation and hatred, qualifies as unintentional killing.
Numbers 35:23 in the Original Language
seeing him not (לא ראה, lo raah) — without perceiving, without knowledge of the target's presence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 35:23
What does Numbers 35:23 mean?
Killing with a stone while not seeing the victim and with no prior enmity is unintentional.
What is the context of Numbers 35:23?
Unseen victims and absent enmity indicate unintentional killing.