Deuteronomy 19:11

11 But suppose a man hates his neighbor. So he hides and waits for him. Then he attacks him and kills him. And he runs to one of those cities for safety.

Deuteronomy 19:11 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 19:11

But if any man hate his neighbour
Has conceived enmity in his heart against him, bears him a mortal hatred, and has formed a scheme in his mind to take away his life:

and lie in wait for him
knowing and expecting he will come by in such a way at such a time:

and rise up against him;
out of the place where he lay in wait, just at the time he is passing by:

and smite him mortally that he die;
or smite him

in soul or life
^F26; in such a part where life is in danger, and the consequence of it is that he dies:

and fleeth into one of these cities;
for shelter from the avenger of blood.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 (vpn) , "anima", Montanus, Vatablus.

Deuteronomy 19:11 In-Context

9 But he'll do it only if you are careful to obey all of the laws I'm commanding you today. I'm commanding you to love the LORD your God. I want you to live always as he wants you to live. When he gives you additional land, you must set apart three more cities.

10 Do it so the blood of those who aren't guilty of murder won't be spilled in your land. It's the land the LORD your God is giving you as your own.

11 But suppose a man hates his neighbor. So he hides and waits for him. Then he attacks him and kills him. And he runs to one of those cities for safety.

12 If he does, the elders of his own town must send for him. He must be brought back from the city and handed over to the dead man's nearest male relative. The relative will kill him.

13 Don't feel sorry for him. He has killed someone who hadn't done anything wrong. Crimes like that must be punished in Israel. Then things will go well with you.