Deuteronomy 19:5

Authorized King James Version

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:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽאֲשֶׁר֩
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#2
יָבֹ֨א
H935
As when a man goeth
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#3
אֶת
H854
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#4
רֵעֵ֖הוּ
H7453
upon his neighbour
an associate (more or less close)
#5
בַיַּעַר֮
H3293
into the wood
a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
#6
לַחְטֹ֣ב
H2404
to hew
to chop or carve wood
#7
הָעֵ֔ץ
H6086
from the helve
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
#8
וְנִדְּחָ֨ה
H5080
fetcheth a stroke
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
#9
יָד֤וֹ
H3027
and his hand
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
#10
בַגַּרְזֶן֙
H1631
with the axe
an axe
#11
לִכְרֹ֣ת
H3772
to cut down
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
#12
הָעֵ֔ץ
H6086
from the helve
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
#13
וְנָשַׁ֤ל
H5394
slippeth
to pluck off, i.e., divest, eject or drop
#14
הַבַּרְזֶל֙
H1270
and the head
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
#15
מִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#16
הָעֵ֔ץ
H6086
from the helve
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
#17
וּמָצָ֥א
H4672
and lighteth
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
#18
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
רֵעֵ֖הוּ
H7453
upon his neighbour
an associate (more or less close)
#20
וָמֵ֑ת
H4191
that he die
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#21
ה֗וּא
H1931
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
#22
יָנ֛וּס
H5127
he shall flee
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#23
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#24
אַחַ֥ת
H259
unto one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#25
הֶֽעָרִים
H5892
of those cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#26
הָאֵ֖לֶּה
H428
these or those
#27
וָחָֽי׃
H2425
and live
to live; causatively to revive

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources