Deuteronomy 19:10-13

10 Do this so that innocent blood will not be shed in your land, which the LORD your God is giving you as your inheritance, and so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed.
11 But if out of hate someone lies in wait, assaults and kills a neighbor, and then flees to one of these cities,
12 the killer shall be sent for by the town elders, be brought back from the city, and be handed over to the avenger of blood to die.
13 Show no pity. You must purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, so that it may go well with you.

Deuteronomy 19:10-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 19

This chapter contains an order to separate three cities of refuge in the land of Canaan, for such that killed a man unawares to flee to, of which those who were guilty of murder purposely were to have no benefit, De 19:1-13, a law is given against removing landmarks, De 19:14, and others concerning witnesses, that they should be more than one; be two, or three, De 19:15, and that a false witness, on conviction, should be punished, De 19:16-21.

Cross References 5

  • 1. Proverbs 6:17; Jeremiah 7:6; Jeremiah 26:15
  • 2. Numbers 35:33; Deuteronomy 21:1-9
  • 3. S Exodus 21:12; 1 John 3:15; Numbers 35:16
  • 4. Deuteronomy 7:2
  • 5. Deuteronomy 21:9; 1 Kings 2:31
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