Numbers 35:30 - Six Cities of Refuge

Audio Bible

Context

Six Cities of Refuge
…29This will be a statutory ordinance for you for the generations to come, wherever you live. 30If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of the witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness. 31You are not to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who deserves to die; he must surely be put to death.…

Cross References

Deuteronomy 17:6
On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.Deuteronomy 19:15
A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.Matthew 18:16
But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’Hebrews 10:28
Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.John 8:17
Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.1 Timothy 5:19
Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.Acts 7:58
They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.Acts 6:13
where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.1 Kings 21:13
And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.Joshua 20:3-5
so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. / When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them. / Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the manslayer into his hand, because that man killed his neighbor accidentally without prior malice.1 Samuel 14:45
But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die—he who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for with God’s help he has accomplished this today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.2 Samuel 1:16
For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’”2 Kings 10:6
Then Jehu wrote them a second letter and said: “If you are on my side, and if you will obey me, then bring the heads of your master’s sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.” Now the sons of the king, seventy in all, were being brought up by the leading men of the city.Leviticus 24:14
“Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and have all who heard him lay their hands on his head; then have the whole assembly stone him.Exodus 21:12
Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death.

Deuteronomy 17:6,7
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death…

Deuteronomy 19:15
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

Matthew 18:16
But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

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Numbers 35

If anyone kills a person
This phrase establishes the context of the law concerning murder. In the ancient Israelite society, the sanctity of life was paramount, reflecting the belief that humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The act of taking a life was not only a crime against the individual but also an offense against God. This law underscores the seriousness of murder and the need for justice.

the murderer is to be put to death
Capital punishment for murder is prescribed here, reflecting the principle of "life for life" found in the Mosaic Law (Exodus 21:23). This reflects the justice system of ancient Israel, where the death penalty served as a deterrent and a means of purging evil from the community (Deuteronomy 19:19). It also highlights the value placed on human life and the need for retribution in cases of intentional killing.

on the testimony of the witnesses
The requirement for witnesses is crucial in ensuring justice. In the ancient Near East, legal proceedings relied heavily on eyewitness testimony. Deuteronomy 17:6 and 19:15 emphasize the necessity of multiple witnesses to establish a matter, preventing false accusations and ensuring a fair trial. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus and Paul refer to the need for two or three witnesses (Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1).

But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness
This provision protects against wrongful execution by requiring corroboration. It reflects God's justice and mercy, ensuring that the legal system is not abused. The need for multiple witnesses serves as a safeguard against false testimony, which is condemned in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:16). This principle of requiring multiple witnesses is a recurring theme in biblical justice, emphasizing the importance of truth and fairness in legal matters.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Murderer
The individual who has unlawfully taken the life of another person. In the context of Numbers 35, this refers to someone who has committed intentional homicide.

2. Witnesses
Individuals who have seen or have direct knowledge of the murder. The requirement for multiple witnesses underscores the importance of reliable testimony in capital cases.

3. Israelite Community
The broader community to whom these laws were given, emphasizing the communal responsibility in upholding justice.

4. Cities of Refuge
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are part of the broader context of Numbers 35, providing asylum for those accused of manslaughter until a fair trial could be conducted.

5. Mosaic Law
The legal and moral code given to the Israelites through Moses, which includes the laws concerning murder and justice.

Teaching Points

The Sanctity of Life
The requirement for multiple witnesses underscores the value God places on human life and the need for careful deliberation before taking a life in judgment.

Justice and Fairness
The law protects against false accusations and wrongful executions, emphasizing the importance of justice and fairness in legal proceedings.

Community Responsibility
The involvement of witnesses and the community in the judicial process highlights the collective responsibility to uphold justice and truth.

Integrity in Testimony
The necessity for multiple witnesses calls for integrity and honesty in giving testimony, reflecting the character of God who is just and true.

Biblical Principles in Modern Justice
The principles of requiring corroborated evidence can be applied to modern justice systems, ensuring that decisions are made based on truth and fairness.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 35Does the capital punishment requirement for murderers (Numbers 35:30–31) contradict other biblical teachings about mercy and forgiveness? What does bloodguilt mean?How could 2 Chronicles 35:7's massive number of sacrificed animals (30,000 lambs and goats) be logistically and historically feasible?How plausible is it that the avenger of blood system (Numbers 35:19) was enforced fairly in the context of ancient Near Eastern tribal justice?

(30) By the mouth of witnesses.--The number of witnesses is not here specified. In Deuteronomy 17:6 it is ordained that the crime of idolatry should be punished with death "at the mouth of two witnesses, or of three witnesses;" and in Deuteronomy 19:15 it is ordained in general terms that "one witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established."

Verse 30. - By the mouth of witnesses, i.e., of two at least (cf. Deuteronomy 17:6). Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

If anyone
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

kills
מַ֨כֵּה־ (mak·kêh-)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5221: To strike

a person,
נֶ֔פֶשׁ (ne·p̄eš)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

the murderer
יִרְצַ֖ח (yir·ṣaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7523: To dash in pieces, kill, to murder

is to be put to death
הָרֹצֵ֑חַ (hā·rō·ṣê·aḥ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7523: To dash in pieces, kill, to murder

on the testimony
לְפִ֣י (lə·p̄î)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

of [multiple] witnesses.
עֵדִ֔ים (‘ê·ḏîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5707: A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince

But no
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

one
בְנֶ֖פֶשׁ (ḇə·ne·p̄eš)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

is to be put to death
לָמֽוּת׃ (lā·mūṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

based on the testimony
יַעֲנֶ֥ה (ya·‘ă·neh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

of a lone
אֶחָ֔ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

witness.
וְעֵ֣ד (wə·‘êḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5707: A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince

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Numbers 35:30 Catholic BibleOT Law: Numbers 35:30 Whoever kills any person the murderer shall (Nu Num.)