Deuteronomy 19

Name: Deuteronomy
Author: BiblePics
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Almighty Judgment Acknowledging Death Punishment Protection Blood Fear Truth God Law Covenant Love Neighbor Obedience Promises Repentance

Moses commands the Israelites to appoint cities of refuge, where those who have killed unintentionally can seek asylum.

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Cities of Refuge

1 When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses;

2 Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.

3 Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.

4 And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;

5 As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:

6 Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.

7 Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.

8 And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;

9 If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three:

10 That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee.

11 But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:

12 Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

13 Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.

14 Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.

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.

16 If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;

17 Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;

18 And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;

19 Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.

20 And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.

21 And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 19 is a chapter that outlines the laws of cities of refuge. This chapter is a continuation of the laws that were given in the previous chapter, which focused on the laws of justice. In this chapter, God instructs the Israelites to set aside three cities of refuge, where those who have committed unintentional manslaughter can flee for safety. This is a reminder to the Israelites that justice should be tempered with mercy. The chapter also outlines the boundaries of the cities of refuge, and the process for determining guilt or innocence. It is clear that the Israelites are to be fair and impartial in their judgments, and that those who are found guilty of unintentional manslaughter should be given a chance to flee to safety. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of witnesses in determining guilt or innocence. Witnesses are to be called upon to testify, and their testimony is to be taken seriously. This is a reminder to the Israelites that justice should be based on facts, not hearsay. Finally, the chapter outlines the consequences for those who are found guilty of intentional murder. This is a reminder to the Israelites that justice should be swift and sure. Overall, Deuteronomy 19 is a reminder to the Israelites that justice should be tempered with mercy, and that justice should be based on facts, not hearsay. It is a reminder that justice should be swift and sure, and that those who are found guilty of unintentional manslaughter should be given a chance to flee to safety.