Deuteronomy 19
Read Deuteronomy 19 (WEB)+
1When Yahweh your God cuts off the nations whose land Yahweh your God gives you, and you succeed them and dwell in their cities and in their houses; 2you shall set apart three cities for yourselves in the middle of your land, which Yahweh your God gives you to possess it. 3You shall prepare the way, and divide the borders of your land which Yahweh your God causes you to inherit into three parts, that every man slayer may flee there. 4This is the case of the man slayer who shall flee there and live. Whoever kills his neighbor unawares, and didn’t hate him in time past; 5as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to chop wood and his hand swings the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle and hits his neighbor so that he dies, he shall flee to one of these cities and live. 6Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the man slayer while his heart is hot and overtake him, because the way is long, and strike him mortally; even though he was not worthy of death, because he didn’t hate him in time past. 7Therefore I command you to set apart three cities for yourselves. 8If Yahweh your God enlarges your border, as he has sworn to your fathers, and gives you all the land which he promised to give to your fathers; 9if you keep all this commandment to do it, which I command you today, to love Yahweh your God, and to walk ever in his ways; then you shall add three cities more for yourselves, besides these three. 10This is so that innocent blood will not be shed in the middle of your land which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance, leaving blood guilt on you. 11But if any man hates his neighbor, lies in wait for him, rises up against him, strikes him mortally so that he dies, and he flees into one of these cities; 12then the elders of his city shall send and bring him there, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die. 13Your eye shall not pity him, but you shall purge the innocent blood from Israel that it may go well with you. 14You shall not remove your neighbor’s landmark, which they of old time have set, in your inheritance which you shall inherit, in the land that Yahweh your God gives you to possess. 15One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established. 16If an unrighteous witness rises up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing, 17then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before Yahweh, before the priests and the judges who shall be in those days; 18and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and behold, if the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother; 19then you shall do to him as he had thought to do to his brother. So you shall remove the evil from among you. 20Those who remain shall hear, and fear, and will never again commit any such evil among you. 21Your eyes shall not pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
World English Bible (public domain)
““Your eye shall not pity; it shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.””
Deuteronomy 19:21
Summary
Deuteronomy chapter 19 outlines important laws concerning cities of refuge, the protection of witnesses, and guidelines for capital punishment. The chapter begins by instructing the Israelites to establish cities of refuge, where individuals who unintentionally kill someone can flee for safety. This provision underscores God's justice and mercy, allowing for a form of asylum for those who commit unintentional crimes, thereby contrasting with the severe consequences for premeditated murder. The chapter emphasizes the importance of intention behind actions and how justice should be tempered with compassion. Furthermore, the chapter addresses the role of witnesses in legal matters. It specifies the necessity for at least two or three witnesses to convict someone of a crime, preventing wrongful convictions and ensuring that justice is served fairly. This theme not only highlights the significance of community in maintaining justice but also reflects God's desire for truth and righteousness among His people. Lastly, the chapter discusses the severe consequences for those who act with malice and seek to harm others, stressing that justice must be applied equitably. It additionally encourages a culture of accountability and the need for careful discernment in matters of law and order. Overall, Deuteronomy 19 reveals God's commitment to justice, the protection of the vulnerable, and the call for communal responsibility in upholding these standards among His people.
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