Numbers 35:21 (WEB)
or in hostility struck him with his hand, so that he died, he who struck him shall surely be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.
As quoted in the map (KJV)
Numbers 35:21 (KJV)
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.
Key words
- אֵיבָהeybah · Hebrew
- 'enmity' — the same word as Genesis 3:15. Here a blow struck 'in enmity' makes the striker a murderer who must die.
Why it matters
Pitre cites this law to define the word 'enmity.' Striking someone 'in enmity' is the mark of a murderer, so the word denotes deadly hostility rather than dislike. Genesis 3:15, which uses the same term, therefore announces a war to the death between the serpent and the Woman and her seed.