Deuteronomy 19:6

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

Deuteronomy 19:6 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 19:6

Lest the avenger of blood pursue the slayer
These words are to be connected with ( Deuteronomy 19:3 ) , where it is ordered to prepare the way to the cities of refuge, and to divide the land into three parts, for the convenience of the slayer to flee thither, lest he that was next of kin, and incensed against the slayer, and determined to avenge what was done, should pursue after him:

while his heart is hot;
by reason of the loss of his relation, upon which his passions being raised, his heart becomes inflamed with wrath and anger; which pushes him upon an eager and hasty pursuit of the slayer, before he sits down and coolly considers and deliberates on the affair:

and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him;
wherefore it was proper that everything should be done to make the way to these cities as easy and as short as it could be:

whereas he was not worthy of death;
had not committed an action deserving of it, it being done ignorantly and without notice, as follows:

inasmuch as he hated him not in time past;
(See Gill on Deuteronomy 19:4).

Deuteronomy 19:6 In-Context

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