Keraia
Deuteronomy 19

Deuteronomy 19:6

Cities of Refuge · Deuteronomy 19:1–14
Read Deuteronomy 19

Translations

Modern
Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the manslayer in a rage, overtake him if the distance is great, and strike him dead though he did not deserve to die, since he did not intend any harm.
Traditional
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.
Literal
…lest the avenger of blood pursue after the manslayer while his anger is hot, and overtake him because the way is long, and kill him, and he did not have a sentence of death, since he had not hated him from yesterday and the day before yesterday.
Latin
…ne forsitan proximus ejus, cujus effusus est sanguis, dolore stimulatus, persequatur, et apprehendat eum si longior via fuerit, et percutiat animam ejus, qui non est reus mortis: quia nullum contra eum, qui occisus est, odium prius habuisse monstratur.

Original

Hebrew
English
Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the manslayer in a rage, overtake him if the distance is great, and strike him dead though he did not deserve to die, since he did not intend any harm.

Notes

Deuteronomy 19:6

avenger of blood (literally the redeemer of blood): The law allowed a victim's family to avenge murder. They could execute the killer when they found him (Numbers 35:16–21).

The idea was that blood shed by the victim must be paid for by the blood of the person responsible for the act (see Genesis 4:15; 9:6). In this way, the land made unclean by the shed blood could be purified (Numbers 35:33–34).

Deuteronomy 19:1–13

Cities of refuge were placed in different parts of the land (19:2). They were located carefully so people could reach them easily.

A person accused of killing someone could run to one of these cities for protection. There, the person would be safe until a fair trial took place (see 4:41; Numbers 35:6–29).

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes Shechem The Cities of Refuge

Parallels

Numbers 35:9–34 Deuteronomy 4:41–43 Joshua 20:1–9

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Bloodguilt Cities of Refuge Commandments, the Ten Courts and Trials Covenant Deuteronomy, Book of Heart Joshua, Book of

Topics

Avenger of Blood: Scriptures Relating To Homicide: Accidental Refuge: Cities of from the Avenger of Blood