Deuteronomy Chapter 19 · Verse 11
But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:
Original Language Analysis
וְכִֽי
H3588
וְכִֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִהְיֶ֥ה
H1961
יִהְיֶ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִישׁ֙
But if any man
H376
אִישׁ֙
But if any man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וְקָ֣ם
for him and rise up
H6965
וְקָ֣ם
for him and rise up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
8 of 17
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
עָלָ֔יו
H5921
עָלָ֔יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְהִכָּ֥הוּ
against him and smite
H5221
וְהִכָּ֥הוּ
against him and smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
10 of 17
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
him mortally
H5315
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
him mortally
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וָמֵ֑ת
that he die
H4191
וָמֵ֑ת
that he die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
12 of 17
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וְנָ֕ס
and fleeth
H5127
וְנָ֕ס
and fleeth
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
13 of 17
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
אַחַ֖ת
into one
H259
אַחַ֖ת
into one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
Historical Context
This provision prevents abuse of the refuge city system. Without it, murderers could escape justice by claiming accident. The elders' investigation (verse 12) determined intent—was it hatred and premeditation, or genuinely accidental? Ancient legal systems struggled to distinguish murder from manslaughter; Israel's system required careful inquiry into motive and circumstance. The balance between accessible mercy (refuge cities) and enforceable justice (extradition of murderers) created a sophisticated legal framework uncommon in the ancient world.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's provision of both mercy and justice reflect His complete character?
- What safeguards prevent mercy from becoming license for evil, and justice from becoming merciless vengeance?
Analysis & Commentary
But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally (וְכִי־יִהְיֶה אִישׁ שֹׂנֵא לְרֵעֵהוּ וְאָרַב לוֹ וְקָם עָלָיו וְהִכָּהוּ נֶפֶשׁ וָמֵת, vechi-yihyeh ish soneh lere'ehu ve'arav lo vekam alav vehikkahu nefesh vamet)—this describes premeditated murder, not accidental killing. Soneh (hate) establishes malicious intent. Arav (lie in wait, ambush) shows planning. Nefesh (soul, life) emphasizes he killed a living person.
And fleeth into one of these cities—the murderer's flight to a refuge city doesn't grant immunity. Cities of refuge protect the innocent, not the guilty. Verses 12-13 command the elders to extradite the murderer: 'The elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.' This prevents cities of refuge from becoming criminal havens. God's mercy toward the innocent doesn't compromise justice toward the guilty. Both must operate together to reflect God's character.