TG
Everything TrueGospel offers, in one place.

Study

Bible Reader Scripture Search Word Study & Lexicon Bible Study Builder Reading Plans Verse Chains

Reference

The Reference Library Topical Index

Learn

True Gospel Institute

Grow & Share

Blog Q&A Sermon Notes Bible Studies Podcast

Community

Community Student Dashboard

About

About Us Support Us Contact Log In Create Free Account
BSB
← Prev Next →

Deuteronomy 19

BSB·21 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Whenכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֤הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → has cut offיַכְרִ֞יתyaḵ·rîṯ — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → the nationsהַגּוֹיִ֔םhag·gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study → whose landאַרְצָ֑ם’ar·ṣām — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → Heיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is givingנֹתֵ֥ןnō·ṯên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → you, and when you have driven them outוִֽירִשְׁתָּ֕םwî·riš·tām — to possess, inherit, dispossessH3423 — Full Word Study → and settledוְיָשַׁבְתָּ֥wə·yā·šaḇ·tā — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → in their citiesבְעָרֵיהֶ֖םḇə·‘ā·rê·hem — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → and housesוּבְבָתֵּיהֶֽם׃ū·ḇə·ḇāt·tê·hem — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →, 2then you are to set apartתַּבְדִּ֣ילtaḇ·dîl — To separate, divide, or distinguishH914 — Full Word Study → for yourselves threeשָׁל֥וֹשׁšā·lō·wōš — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → withinבְּת֣וֹךְbə·ṯō·wḵ — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study → the landאַרְצְךָ֔’ar·ṣə·ḵā — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁר֙’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → is givingנֹתֵ֥ןnō·ṯên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → you to possessלְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃lə·riš·tāh — to possess, inherit, dispossessH3423 — Full Word Study →. 3You are to buildתָּכִ֣יןtā·ḵîn — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → roadsהַדֶּרֶךְ֒had·de·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → for yourselves and divide into three regionsוְשִׁלַּשְׁתָּ֙wə·šil·laš·tā — To divide into three parts; to do a third timeH8027 — Full Word Study → the landאַרְצְךָ֔’ar·ṣə·ḵā — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → is giving you as an inheritanceיַנְחִֽילְךָ֖yan·ḥî·lə·ḵā — to inherit, to take possession as an heirH5157 — Full Word Study →, so that anyכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → manslayerרֹצֵֽחַ׃rō·ṣê·aḥ — to murder; to unlawfully kill a human beingH7523 — Full Word Study → can fleeלָנ֥וּסlā·nūs — to flee, escape, or run awayH5127 — Full Word Study → to these citiesשָׁ֖מָּהšām·māh — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study →. 4Now thisוְזֶה֙wə·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → is the situationדְּבַ֣רdə·ḇar — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → regarding the manslayerהָרֹצֵ֔חַhā·rō·ṣê·aḥ — to murder; to unlawfully kill a human beingH7523 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → fleesיָנ֥וּסyā·nūs — to flee, escape, or run awayH5127 — Full Word Study → to one of these cities to save his lifeוָחָ֑יwā·ḥāy — To live, to preserve alive, to give lifeH2421 — Full Word Study →, having killedיַכֶּ֤הyak·keh — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → his neighborרֵעֵ֙הוּ֙rê·‘ê·hū — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study → accidentallyבִּבְלִי־biḇ·lî- — without, lack of, absenceH1097 — Full Word Study →, withoutלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → intending to harmשֹׂנֵ֥אśō·nê — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study → him: 5Ifוַאֲשֶׁר֩wa·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → he goesיָבֹ֨אyā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → into the forestבַיַּעַר֮ḇay·ya·‘ar — Forest; woodland; honeycombH3293 — Full Word Study → withאֶת־’eṯ- — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study → his neighborרֵעֵ֥הוּrê·‘ê·hū — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study → to cutלַחְטֹ֣בlaḥ·ṭōḇ — to chew, chop, hew, cutH2404 — Full Word Study → timberעֵצִים֒‘ê·ṣîm — Tree; wood; timberH6086 — Full Word Study → and swingsוְנִדְּחָ֨הwə·nid·də·ḥāh — to drive away, banish, or thrust outH5080 — Full Word Study → his axeבַגַּרְזֶן֙ḇag·gar·zen — Axe; a cutting toolH1631 — Full Word Study → to chop downלִכְרֹ֣תliḵ·rōṯ — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → a treeהָעֵ֔ץhā·‘êṣ — Tree; wood; timberH6086 — Full Word Study →, but the blade flies offוְנָשַׁ֤לwə·nā·šal — to slip off, cast off, remove, or escapeH5394 — Full Word Study → the handleהָעֵ֔ץhā·‘êṣ — Tree; wood; timberH6086 — Full Word Study → and strikesוּמָצָ֥אū·mā·ṣā — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → and killsוָמֵ֑תwā·mêṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study → his neighborרֵעֵ֖הוּrê·‘ê·hū — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study →, heה֗וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → may fleeיָנ֛וּסyā·nūs — to flee, escape, or run awayH5127 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → oneאַחַ֥ת’a·ḥaṯ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → of theseהָאֵ֖לֶּהhā·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → citiesהֶעָרִים־he·‘ā·rîm- — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → to save his lifeוָחָֽי׃wā·ḥāy — To live, to preserve alive, to give lifeH2421 — Full Word Study →. 6Otherwiseפֶּן־pen- — lest, that not, for fear thatH6435 — Full Word Study →, the avengerגֹּאֵ֨לgō·’êl — to redeem; to act as kinsman-redeemerH1350 — Full Word Study → of bloodהַדָּ֜םhad·dām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → might pursueיִרְדֹּף֩yir·dōp̄ — to pursue, chase, or persecuteH7291 — Full Word Study → the manslayerהָרֹצֵ֗חַhā·rō·ṣê·aḥ — to murder; to unlawfully kill a human beingH7523 — Full Word Study → in a rageלְבָבוֹ֒lə·ḇā·ḇōw — The inner self; mind, will, understandingH3824 — Full Word Study →, overtake himוְהִשִּׂיג֛וֹwə·hiś·śî·ḡōw — to overtake, reach, attain, graspH5381 — Full Word Study → ifכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the distanceהַדֶּ֖רֶךְhad·de·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → is greatיִרְבֶּ֥הyir·beh — To increase, multiply, grow abundantH7235 — Full Word Study →, and strike himוְהִכָּ֣הוּwə·hik·kā·hū — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → deadנָ֑פֶשׁnā·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → though he did notאֵ֣ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → deserveמִשְׁפַּט־miš·paṭ- — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → to dieמָ֔וֶתmā·weṯ — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study →, sinceכִּ֠יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → heה֛וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → did notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → intend any harmשֹׂנֵ֥אśō·nê — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study →. 7This is whyעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Iאָנֹכִ֥י’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → am commandingמְצַוְּךָ֖mə·ṣaw·wə·ḵā — to command, order, or appoint with authorityH6680 — Full Word Study → you to set apartתַּבְדִּ֥ילtaḇ·dîl — To separate, divide, or distinguishH914 — Full Word Study → for yourselves threeשָׁלֹ֥שׁšā·lōš — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →. 8And ifוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֤הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → enlargesיַרְחִ֞יבyar·ḥîḇ — to enlarge, make wide, expandH7337 — Full Word Study → your territoryגְּבֻ֣לְךָ֔gə·ḇul·ḵā — boundary, border, or limit of a regionH1366 — Full Word Study →, asכַּאֲשֶׁ֥רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → He sworeנִשְׁבַּ֖עniš·ba‘ — To swear an oath; to bind oneself by solemn promiseH7650 — Full Word Study → to your fathersלַאֲבֹתֶ֑יךָla·’ă·ḇō·ṯe·ḵā — H1 — Full Word Study →, and givesוְנָ֤תַןwə·nā·ṯan — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → you allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the landהָאָ֔רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → He promisedדִּבֶּ֖רdib·ber — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → themלַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ׃la·’ă·ḇō·ṯe·ḵā — H1 — Full Word Study →, 9and ifכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you carefully keepתִשְׁמֹר֩ṯiš·mōr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → theseהַזֹּ֜אתhaz·zōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → commandmentsהַמִּצְוָ֨הham·miṣ·wāh — A command or commandment; divine instruction or lawH4687 — Full Word Study → Iאָנֹכִ֣י’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → am giving youמְצַוְּךָ֮mə·ṣaw·wə·ḵā — to command, order, or appoint with authorityH6680 — Full Word Study → todayהַיּוֹם֒hay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, lovingלְאַהֲבָ֞הlə·’a·hă·ḇāh — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֧הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → and walkingוְלָלֶ֥כֶתwə·lā·le·ḵeṯ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → in His waysבִּדְרָכָ֖יוbiḏ·rā·ḵāw — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → at all timesכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →, then you are to addוְיָסַפְתָּ֨wə·yā·sap̄·tā — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → threeשָׁלֹ֣שׁšā·lōš — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → moreעוֹד֙‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֔ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → toעַ֖ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → theseהָאֵֽלֶּה׃hā·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → threeהַשָּׁלֹ֥שׁhaš·šā·lōš — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study →. 10Thus innocentנָקִ֔יnā·qî — Innocent, blameless, free from guiltH5355 — Full Word Study → bloodדָּ֣םdām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → will notוְלֹ֤אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → be shedיִשָּׁפֵךְ֙yiš·šā·p̄êḵ — to pour out, shed, spillH8210 — Full Word Study → inבְּקֶ֣רֶבbə·qe·reḇ — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study → the landאַרְצְךָ֔’ar·ṣə·ḵā — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁר֙’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → is givingנֹתֵ֥ןnō·ṯên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → you as an inheritance, so that you will not beוְהָיָ֥הwə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → guilty of bloodshedדָּמִֽים׃סdā·mîm — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →. 11If, howeverוְכִֽי־wə·ḵî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study →, a manאִישׁ֙’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → hatesשֹׂנֵ֣אśō·nê — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study → his neighborלְרֵעֵ֔הוּlə·rê·‘ê·hū — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study → and lies in waitוְאָ֤רַבwə·’ā·raḇ — To lie in ambush; to set a trap or attack by stealthH693 — Full Word Study →, attacksוְקָ֣םwə·qām — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → himעָלָ֔יו‘ā·lāw — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → and kills himוְהִכָּ֥הוּwə·hik·kā·hū — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study →, and then fleesוְנָ֕סwə·nās — to flee, escape, or run awayH5127 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → oneאַחַ֖ת’a·ḥaṯ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → of theseהָאֵֽל׃hā·’êl — these, those (demonstrative pronoun)H411 — Full Word Study → citiesהֶעָרִ֥יםhe·‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, 12the eldersזִקְנֵ֣יziq·nê — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → of his cityעִיר֔וֹ‘î·rōw — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → must send for himוְשָֽׁלְחוּ֙wə·šā·lə·ḥū — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study →, bringוְלָקְח֥וּwə·lā·qə·ḥū — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → himאֹת֖וֹ’ō·ṯōw — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → backמִשָּׁ֑םmiš·šām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study →, and hand him over toוְנָתְנ֣וּwə·nā·ṯə·nū — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → the avengerגֹּאֵ֥לgō·’êl — to redeem; to act as kinsman-redeemerH1350 — Full Word Study → of bloodהַדָּ֖םhad·dām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → to dieוָמֵֽת׃wā·mêṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →. 13You must show him no pityתָח֥וֹסṯā·ḥō·ws — to have compassion, spare, or show pityH2347 — Full Word Study →. You are to purgeוּבִֽעַרְתָּ֧ū·ḇi·‘ar·tā — to burn, consume, or act brutishlyH1197 — Full Word Study → from Israelמִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֖לmî·yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → the guilt of shedding innocentהַנָּקִ֛יhan·nā·qî — Innocent, blameless, free from guiltH5355 — Full Word Study → bloodדַֽם־ḏam- — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →, that it may go wellוְט֥וֹבwə·ṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → with you. 14You must notלֹ֤אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → moveתַסִּיג֙ṯas·sîḡ — To withdraw, turn back, or remove oneselfH5253 — Full Word Study → your neighbor’sרֵֽעֲךָ֔rê·‘ă·ḵā — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study → boundary markerגְּב֣וּלgə·ḇūl — boundary, border, or limit of a regionH1366 — Full Word Study →, which was set upגָּבְל֖וּgā·ḇə·lū — to set a border or boundary; to limitH1379 — Full Word Study → by your ancestorsרִאשֹׁנִ֑יםri·šō·nîm — First, foremost, or former; earliest in time or orderH7223 — Full Word Study → to mark the inheritance you shall receiveתִּנְחַ֔לtin·ḥal — to inherit, to take possession as an heirH5157 — Full Word Study → in the landבָּאָ֕רֶץbā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁר֙’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → is givingנֹתֵ֥ןnō·ṯên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → you to possessלְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃סlə·riš·tāh — to possess, inherit, dispossessH3423 — Full Word Study →. 15A loneאֶחָ֜ד’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → witnessעֵ֨ד‘êḏ — A person who testifies or bears witnessH5707 — Full Word Study → is not sufficientלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to establishיָקוּם֩yā·qūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → anyלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → wrongdoingעָוֺן֙‘ā·wōn — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study → or sinחַטָּ֔אתḥaṭ·ṭāṯ — sin; sin offering; sinfulnessH2403 — Full Word Study → against a manבְּאִ֗ישׁbə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →, regardless of whatבְּכָל־bə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → offenseחֵ֖טְאḥêṭ — sin, transgression, or guiltH2399 — Full Word Study → he may have committedיֶֽחֱטָ֑אye·ḥĕ·ṭā — To sin; to miss the mark; to commit wrongdoingH2398 — Full Word Study →. A matterדָּבָֽר׃dā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → must be establishedיָק֥וּםyā·qūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → byעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the testimonyפִּ֣י׀pî — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → of twoשְׁנֵ֣יšə·nê — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → orא֛וֹ’ōw — or, whether; also expressing desire or preferenceH176 — Full Word Study → threeשְׁלֹשָֽׁה־šə·lō·šāh- — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → witnessesעֵדִ֗ים‘ê·ḏîm — A person who testifies or bears witnessH5707 — Full Word Study →. 16Ifכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a falseחָמָ֖סḥā·mās — Violence, cruelty, or wrongful harmH2555 — Full Word Study → witnessעֵד־‘êḏ- — A person who testifies or bears witnessH5707 — Full Word Study → testifiesלַעֲנ֥וֹתla·‘ă·nō·wṯ — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study → against someoneבְּאִ֑ישׁbə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →, accusing him of a crimeסָרָֽה׃sā·rāh — rebellion, revolting against authorityH5627 — Full Word Study →, 17bothשְׁנֵֽי־šə·nê- — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → partiesהָאֲנָשִׁ֛יםhā·’ă·nā·šîm — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → to the disputeהָרִ֖יבhā·rîḇ — Strife, contention, legal disputeH7379 — Full Word Study → must standוְעָמְד֧וּwə·‘ā·mə·ḏū — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → in the presenceלִפְנֵ֣יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, beforeלִפְנֵ֤יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the priestsהַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙hak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → and judgesוְהַשֹּׁ֣פְטִ֔יםwə·haš·šō·p̄ə·ṭîm — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → are in office at thatהָהֵֽם׃hā·hêm — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → timeבַּיָּמִ֥יםbay·yā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →. 18The judgesהַשֹּׁפְטִ֖יםhaš·šō·p̄ə·ṭîm — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study → shall investigateוְדָרְשׁ֥וּwə·ḏā·rə·šū — to seek, inquire, search diligentlyH1875 — Full Word Study → thoroughlyהֵיטֵ֑בhê·ṭêḇ — to be good, to improve, to do wellH3190 — Full Word Study →, and ifוְהִנֵּ֤הwə·hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → the witnessעֵֽד־‘êḏ- — A person who testifies or bears witnessH5707 — Full Word Study → is proven to be a liarשֶׁ֙קֶר֙še·qer — Deception, falsehood, lieH8267 — Full Word Study → who has falselyשֶׁ֖קֶרše·qer — Deception, falsehood, lieH8267 — Full Word Study → accusedעָנָ֥ה‘ā·nāh — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study → his brotherבְאָחִֽיו׃ḇə·’ā·ḥîw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study →, 19you must doוַעֲשִׂ֣יתֶםwa·‘ă·śî·ṯem — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → to him asכַּאֲשֶׁ֥רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → he intendedזָמַ֖םzā·mam — to plan, devise, or schemeH2161 — Full Word Study → to doלַעֲשׂ֣וֹתla·‘ă·śō·wṯ — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → to his brotherלְאָחִ֑יוlə·’ā·ḥîw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study →. So you must purgeוּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥ū·ḇi·‘ar·tā — to burn, consume, or act brutishlyH1197 — Full Word Study → the evilהָרָ֖עhā·rā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → from among youמִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ׃miq·qir·be·ḵā — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study →. 20Then the rest of the people will hearיִשְׁמְע֣וּyiš·mə·‘ū — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → and be afraidוְיִרָ֑אוּwə·yi·rā·’ū — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study →, and they will neverוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → againיֹסִ֨פוּyō·si·p̄ū — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → doלַעֲשׂ֜וֹתla·‘ă·śō·wṯ — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → anythingכַּדָּבָ֥רkad·dā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → soהַזֶּ֖הhaz·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → evilהָרָ֛עhā·rā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → among youבְּקִרְבֶּֽךָ׃bə·qir·be·ḵā — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study →. 21You must show no pityוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study →: lifeנֶ֣פֶשׁne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → for lifeבְּנֶ֗פֶשׁbə·ne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →, eyeעַ֤יִן‘a·yin — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → for eyeבְּעַ֙יִן֙bə·‘a·yin — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →, toothשֵׁ֣ןšên — Tooth; ivory; sharp edge; cragH8127 — Full Word Study → for toothבְּשֵׁ֔ןbə·šên — Tooth; ivory; sharp edge; cragH8127 — Full Word Study →, handיָ֥דyāḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → for handבְּיָ֖דbə·yāḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →, and foot for footבְּרָֽגֶל׃סbə·rā·ḡel — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study →.
Scripture Explorer
Original Language
Notes & Doctrine
Chapter Commentary
Cross-Refs
Highlight
My Note
Original Hebrew / Greek
Loading…
Translation Notes & Doctrine — This Verse
Loading…
Chapter Commentary — Deuteronomy 19
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Deuteronomy 19 establishes God's framework for justice in the promised land, addressing three critical concerns: the protection of the innocent who commit unintentional harm, the punishment of deliberate murderers, and the safeguarding of legal proceedings through reliable witness testimony. This chapter reflects God's character as both merciful and just—He provides refuge for the innocent while demanding accountability for the guilty. These laws show Israel how to build a society that honors both human life and the rule of law, grounded in the fear of the Lord.

Verses 1–7: The Cities of Refuge

Moses instructs Israel to designate three cities of refuge once they possess the promised land. These cities serve a vital humanitarian purpose: they provide safe haven for anyone who has unintentionally killed another person. The example in verses 4–5 illustrates the principle clearly—a man's axe head slips while cutting wood, killing his neighbor. In such a case, the person may flee to a city of refuge to escape the avenger of blood (a family member obligated by custom to avenge the death), who in grief and anger might pursue hasty vengeance without discerning whether the death was accidental or intentional.

This provision demonstrates God's compassion: innocent people must not die for unintentional accidents. It balances justice with mercy. The cities of refuge reflect a sophisticated legal system that distinguishes between degrees of culpability—something every just society must do. For us today, this reminds us that God himself is both our Judge and our Refuge; through Christ, believers have fled to Him for safety from the penalty of sin.

Verses 8–13: Expansion and the Treatment of Deliberate Murderers

As Israel's territory expands (promised through God's covenant with the patriarchs), three additional cities of refuge are to be established, ensuring that innocent people throughout the enlarged land have access to safety. However, verses 11–13 present the stark opposite case: the man who murders intentionally out of hatred. Such a person may flee to a city of refuge, but he receives no protection. The elders will drag him out and deliver him to the avenger of blood for execution.

This shows that God's mercy is never a license for evil. The law protects the innocent accident but demands the death penalty for deliberate murder. Verse 13 commands Israel not to pity the guilty party—justice must be carried out so that "innocent blood" does not pollute the land. This reflects the biblical principle that bloodshed cries out to God and defiles the community (see Genesis 4:10). We are reminded that God takes the violation of human life with utmost seriousness because humans are made in His image.

Verses 14–21: Landmark Laws and Witness Integrity

The chapter shifts to related matters of justice. Verse 14 prohibits moving boundary markers—a seemingly small matter, but dishonest land disputes undermine community trust and steal from neighbors. Then, verses 15–21 establish the cornerstone of fair justice: the requirement of multiple witnesses. A single witness is insufficient; truth must be corroborated. Moreover, false witnesses face the very penalty they sought to inflict on the accused (verse 19)—the law calls this lex talionis, or "an eye for an eye." This prevents perjury and ensures accountability at every level of the justice system.

These laws reveal that God cares deeply about truth and integrity in community life. False testimony destroys innocent people; God abhors it.

Application for Today

Deuteronomy 19 calls us to build communities where justice, mercy, and truth flourish together. We should advocate for legal systems that distinguish between negligence and intent, that protect the innocent, and that demand accountability from the guilty. More personally, we are called to truthfulness in our speech, respect for others' rights, and a commitment to justice that neither favors the rich nor shows prejudice to the poor. Above all, we should recognize our own need for refuge in Christ, the only one who perfectly satisfies both God's justice and His mercy.

Cross References
Loading…
Highlight This Verse
My Note