Deuteronomy Chapter 19 · Verse 12
Then 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָֽׁלְחוּ֙
shall send
H7971
וְשָֽׁלְחוּ֙
shall send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 12
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
עִיר֔וֹ
of his city
H5892
עִיר֔וֹ
of his city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 12
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְלָֽקְח֥וּ
and fetch
H3947
וְלָֽקְח֥וּ
and fetch
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
4 of 12
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֹת֖וֹ
H853
אֹת֖וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִשָּׁ֑ם
H8033
מִשָּׁ֑ם
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
6 of 12
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
וְנָֽתְנ֣וּ
him thence and deliver
H5414
וְנָֽתְנ֣וּ
him thence and deliver
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
7 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֹת֗וֹ
H853
אֹת֗וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּיַ֛ד
him into the hand
H3027
בְּיַ֛ד
him into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 12
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
גֹּאֵ֥ל
of the avenger
H1350
גֹּאֵ֥ל
of the avenger
Strong's:
H1350
Word #:
10 of 12
to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido
Historical Context
The cities of refuge (Deuteronomy 19:1-13) addressed a critical legal problem in ancient tribal societies: blood revenge could spiral into endless cycles of violence. The goel system balanced family honor with controlled justice. This passage (c. 1406 BC, on the plains of Moab) refined earlier instructions from Numbers 35, establishing procedures for extradition when intentional murder was proven. The elders served as the investigative and judicial authority, determining whether the killing was accidental or premeditated before deciding on extradition.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the distinction between accidental and intentional killing reflect God's justice being both merciful and exacting?
- In what ways might Christians today abuse "grace" as a refuge while persisting in deliberate sin (cf. Romans 6:1)?
Analysis & Commentary
Then 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.
The Hebrew goel ha-dam (גֹּאֵל הַדָּם, "avenger of blood") refers to the kinsman-redeemer who had both the right and duty to exact justice for a murdered relative. Unlike the manslayer who accidentally killed (vv. 4-5), the intentional murderer finds no asylum in the cities of refuge. The ziqnei (זִקְנֵי, "elders") of his own city must extradite him—showing that civic authority supersedes tribal loyalty when deliberate murder is proven.
This law establishes that sanctuary applies only to the innocent, not to those who manipulate legal protections. The phrase that he may die (וָמֵת, va-met) is emphatic—death is both required and certain for deliberate homicide. This protects the integrity of the asylum system itself; if murderers could claim sanctuary, the cities of refuge would become havens for the guilty rather than protection for the innocent, undermining justice entirely.