Deuteronomy 19:5
As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:
Original Language Analysis
וַֽאֲשֶׁר֩
H834
וַֽאֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָבֹ֨א
As when a man goeth
H935
יָבֹ֨א
As when a man goeth
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
2 of 27
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
3 of 27
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
בַיַּעַר֮
into the wood
H3293
בַיַּעַר֮
into the wood
Strong's:
H3293
Word #:
5 of 27
a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
הָעֵ֔ץ
from the helve
H6086
הָעֵ֔ץ
from the helve
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
7 of 27
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
וְנִדְּחָ֨ה
fetcheth a stroke
H5080
וְנִדְּחָ֨ה
fetcheth a stroke
Strong's:
H5080
Word #:
8 of 27
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
יָד֤וֹ
and his hand
H3027
יָד֤וֹ
and his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 27
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
לִכְרֹ֣ת
to cut down
H3772
לִכְרֹ֣ת
to cut down
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
11 of 27
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
הָעֵ֔ץ
from the helve
H6086
הָעֵ֔ץ
from the helve
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
12 of 27
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
הַבַּרְזֶל֙
and the head
H1270
הַבַּרְזֶל֙
and the head
Strong's:
H1270
Word #:
14 of 27
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
15 of 27
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָעֵ֔ץ
from the helve
H6086
הָעֵ֔ץ
from the helve
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
16 of 27
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
וּמָצָ֥א
and lighteth
H4672
וּמָצָ֥א
and lighteth
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
17 of 27
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וָמֵ֑ת
that he die
H4191
וָמֵ֑ת
that he die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
20 of 27
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
ה֗וּא
H1931
ה֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
21 of 27
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יָנ֛וּס
he shall flee
H5127
יָנ֛וּס
he shall flee
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
22 of 27
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
אַחַ֥ת
unto one
H259
אַחַ֥ת
unto one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
24 of 27
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
Historical Context
Ancient tools frequently failed - axe heads could slip from handles during use. Without safety equipment or modern manufacturing standards, such accidents occurred more commonly than in contemporary contexts.
The specificity of this example helped judges and communities determine whether particular deaths qualified for refuge protection or required prosecution for murder.
Questions for Reflection
- What does this specific example teach about God's concern for justice based on actual circumstances?
- How does protecting accidental killers demonstrate mercy without compromising justice?
- Why would executing someone for genuine accident compound tragedy rather than serve justice?
- What role do specific case examples play in helping apply general legal principles?
- How should grief for victims be balanced with mercy toward those who cause accidental death?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live. This specific example illustrates accidental killing - a common workplace accident where the axe head flies off, striking and killing a co-worker. The detailed scenario clarifies what constitutes unintentional homicide.
The example emphasizes completely unintentional nature - both men were doing normal work, no malice existed, and the death resulted from tool failure rather than negligence or carelessness. This represents pure accident without culpability for the outcome.
The promise he shall flee...and live guarantees refuge protection. Though the man caused death, lack of intent and malice means he deserves protection from revenge, not punishment. The refuge city preserves innocent life while allowing grief and justice processes to work properly.
This case law demonstrates God's mercy - even though death occurred and the victim's family suffers, executing the accidental killer would compound tragedy without serving justice.