Deuteronomy 19

1 cum disperderit Dominus Deus tuus gentes quarum tibi traditurus est terram et possederis eam habitaverisque in urbibus eius et in aedibus

2 tres civitates separabis tibi in medio terrae quam Dominus Deus tuus dabit tibi in possessionem

3 sternens diligenter viam et in tres aequaliter partes totam terrae tuae provinciam divides ut habeat e vicino qui propter homicidium profugus est quo possit evadere

4 haec erit lex homicidae fugientis cuius vita servanda est qui percusserit proximum suum nesciens et qui heri et nudius tertius nullum contra eum habuisse odium conprobatur

5 sed abisse simpliciter cum eo in silvam ad ligna caedenda et in succisione lignorum securis fugerit manu ferrumque lapsum de manubrio amicum eius percusserit et occiderit hic ad unam supradictarum urbium confugiet et vivet

6 ne forsitan proximus eius cuius effusus est sanguis dolore stimulatus persequatur et adprehendat eum si longior via fuerit et percutiat animam eius qui non est reus mortis quia nullum contra eum qui occisus est odium prius habuisse monstratur

7 idcirco praecipio tibi ut tres civitates aequalis inter se spatii dividas

8 cum autem dilataverit Dominus Deus tuus terminos tuos sicut iuravit patribus tuis et dederit tibi cunctam terram quam eis pollicitus est

9 si tamen custodieris mandata eius et feceris quae hodie praecipio tibi ut diligas Dominum Deum tuum et ambules in viis eius omni tempore addes tibi tres alias civitates et supradictarum trium urbium numerum duplicabis

10 ut non effundatur sanguis innoxius in medio terrae quam Dominus Deus tuus dabit tibi possidendam nec sis sanguinis reus

11 si quis autem odio habens proximum suum insidiatus fuerit vitae eius surgensque percusserit illum et mortuus fuerit fugeritque ad unam de supradictis urbibus

12 mittent seniores civitatis illius et arripient eum de loco effugii tradentque in manu proximi cuius sanguis effusus est et morietur

13 nec misereberis eius et auferes innoxium sanguinem de Israhel ut bene sit tibi

14 non adsumes et transferes terminos proximi tui quos fixerunt priores in possessione tua quam Dominus Deus tuus dabit tibi in terra quam acceperis possidendam

15 non stabit testis unus contra aliquem quicquid illud peccati et facinoris fuerit sed in ore duorum aut trium testium stabit omne verbum

16 si steterit testis mendax contra hominem accusans eum praevaricationis

17 stabunt ambo quorum causa est ante Dominum in conspectu sacerdotum et iudicum qui fuerint in diebus illis

18 cumque diligentissime perscrutantes invenerint falsum testem dixisse contra fratrem suum mendacium

19 reddent ei sicut fratri suo facere cogitavit et auferes malum de medio tui

20 ut audientes ceteri timorem habeant et nequaquam talia audeant facere

21 non misereberis eius sed animam pro anima oculum pro oculo dentem pro dente manum pro manu pedem pro pede exiges

Deuteronomy 19 Commentary

Chapter 19

The cities of refuge, The man-slayer, The murderer. (1-13) Landmarks not to be removed. (14) The punishment of false witnesses. (15-21)

Verses 1-13 Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered, and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the cities of refuge should be a protection, so that a man should not die for that as a crime, which was not his willing act. In Christ, the Lord our Righteousness, refuge is provided for those who by faith flee unto him. But there is no refuge in Jesus Christ for presumptuous sinners, who go on still in their trespasses. Those who flee to Christ from their sins, shall be safe in him, but not those who expect to be sheltered by him in their sins.

Verse 14 Direction is given to fix landmarks in Canaan. It is the will of God that every one should know his own; and that means should be used to hinder the doing and suffering of wrong. This, without doubt, is a moral precept, and still binding. Let every man be content with his own lot, and be just to his neighbours in all things.

Verses 15-21 Sentence should never be passed upon the testimony of one witness alone. A false witness should suffer the same punishment which he sought to have inflicted upon the person he accused. Nor could any law be more just. Let all Christians not only be cautious in bearing witness in public, but be careful not to join in private slanders; and let all whose consciences accuse them of crime, without delay flee for refuge to the hope set before them in Jesus Christ.

Chapter Summary

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.