Keraia
Deuteronomy 19

Deuteronomy 19:9

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

Translations

Modern
…and if you carefully keep all these commandments I am giving you today, loving the LORD your God and walking in His ways at all times, then you are to add three more cities to these three.
Traditional
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:
Literal
…and if you keep all this commandment and do it, that which I command you today, to love YHWH your God, and to walk in His ways all the days, then you shall add to yourself three more cities besides these three.
Latin
…(si tamen custodieris mandata ejus, et feceris, quæ hodie præcipio tibi, ut diligas Dominum Deum tuum, et ambules in viis ejus omni tempore), addes tibi tres alias civitates, et supradictarum trium urbium numerum duplicabis:

Original

Hebrew
English
…and if you carefully keep all these commandments I am giving you today, loving the LORD your God and walking in His ways at all times, then you are to add three more cities to these three.

Notes

Deuteronomy 19:9

If Israel had remained faithful to the covenant, God would have given them more land (19:8). They would have needed three more cities of refuge. Sadly, this never happened because Israel disobeyed the Lord.

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 Commandments, the Ten Courts and Trials Covenant Deuteronomy, Book of Joshua, Book of

Topics

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