Deuteronomy 19:2-4

2 1you shall set apart three cities for yourselves in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.
3 You shall measure the distances[a] and divide into three parts the area of the land that the LORD your God gives you as a possession, so that any manslayer can flee to them.
4 "This is the provision for 2the manslayer, who by fleeing there may save his life. If anyone kills his neighbor unintentionally without having hated him in the past--

Deuteronomy 19:2-4 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 2

  • 1. Exodus 21:13; Numbers 35:10, 14; Joshua 20:2, 8
  • 2. Deuteronomy 4:42; Numbers 35:15; Joshua 20:3, 5

Footnotes 1

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.