Deuteronomy 4:42
That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:
Original Language Analysis
וְנָ֗ס
and that fleeing
H5127
וְנָ֗ס
and that fleeing
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
1 of 22
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
שָׁ֜מָּה
H8033
שָׁ֜מָּה
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
2 of 22
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
יִרְצַ֤ח
That the slayer
H7523
יִרְצַ֤ח
That the slayer
Strong's:
H7523
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִרְצַ֤ח
That the slayer
H7523
יִרְצַ֤ח
That the slayer
Strong's:
H7523
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בִּבְלִי
unawares
H1097
בִּבְלִי
unawares
Strong's:
H1097
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc
וְה֛וּא
H1931
וְה֛וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
10 of 22
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
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מִתְּמֹ֣ל
him not in times
H8543
מִתְּמֹ֣ל
him not in times
Strong's:
H8543
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday
וְנָ֗ס
and that fleeing
H5127
וְנָ֗ס
and that fleeing
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
16 of 22
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
אַחַ֛ת
unto one
H259
אַחַ֛ת
unto one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Historical Context
The cities of refuge provided asylum for those guilty of manslaughter but not premeditated murder. This law, rooted in earlier revelation (Numbers 35), balanced justice with mercy in Ancient Near Eastern culture where blood vengeance was customary. Moses' implementation of these cities before entering Canaan established legal infrastructure for the new society.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the cities of refuge system anticipate the gospel truth that sinners can flee to Christ for protection from judgment?
- What does it mean that biblical justice examines intent and motive, not merely outcomes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past...
Moses specifies the cities' purpose: refuge for the rotseach (רֹצֵחַ, 'manslayer') who kills bivli da'at (בִּבְלִי דַעַת, 'without knowledge/unintentionally'). Two conditions qualify for refuge: unintentional death and absence of prior hatred (velo soneh lo, וְלֹא שֹׂנֵא לוֹ). Premeditated murder forfeits sanctuary; accidental death without malice receives protection.
The Hebrew legal system distinguished intent from outcome—a remarkably sophisticated jurisprudence. Ancient Near Eastern cultures often practiced blood vengeance without examining motive; the blood-avenger (go'el hadam) could kill the slayer regardless of circumstance. Israel's law interrupted this cycle by requiring investigation and providing interim protection. Justice demanded examining the heart, not merely the result.
The manslayer who reached the refuge city vachai (וָחָי, 'shall live'). Life is preserved pending proper legal process. This system anticipates gospel realities: Christ is our city of refuge (Hebrews 6:18), to whom sinners flee for protection from the just consequences of transgression. In Him, those deserving death find life—not because they are innocent, but because sanctuary has been provided for the guilty who run to Him.