Deuteronomy 19:11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:1-13

It was one of the precepts given to the sons of Noah that whoso sheddeth man's blood by man shall his blood be shed, that is, by the avenger of blood, Gen. 9:6. Now here we have the law settled between blood and blood, between the blood of the murdered and the blood of the murderer, and effectual provision made, I. That the cities of refuge should be a protection to him that slew another casually, so that he should not die for that as a crime which was not his voluntary act, but only his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:11

But if any man hate his neighbour ,.... Has conceived enmity in his heart against him, bears him a mortal hatred, and has formed a scheme in his mind to take away his life: and lie in wait for him knowing and expecting he will come by in such a way at such a time: and rise up against him ; out of the place where he lay in wait, just at the time he is passing by: and smite him mortally that he die ; or smite him in soul or life F26 נפש , "anima", Montanus, Vatablus. ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 19:11

If any man hate his neighbor - See on Exodus 21:13 ; (note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:1-13

EXPOSITION LAWS CONCERNING CITIES OF REFUGE . LANDMARKS NOT TO BE REMOVED . LAWS CONCERNING WITNESSES . Moses had before this enunciated the law concerning cities of refuge for manslayers, and had already pointed out the cities on the east of the Jordan that were to be set apart for this ( Numbers 35:11 , etc.; Deuteronomy 4:41 , etc.), he here repeats the law with special reference to the appointment of such cities "in the midst of the land," on the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:1-13

The cities of refuge. The appointment of cities of refuge by Moses is of great interest, as yielding a study in Jehovah's ways of educating his people, and of giving light and truth to men. We will see— I. THE PLACE THIS INSTITUTION OCCUPIES IN HISTORY . £ So far as we are aware, there is nothing just now existing among civilized nations with which it is altogether analogous. The most recent regulations which seem to be a kind of reflection of it from afar, are those in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:1-13

Cities of refuge. The institution of cities of refuge (cf. Deuteronomy 4:41-43 ) seems to have been peculiar to the legislation of Moses. It is an institution reflecting strong light on the wisdom, justice, and humanity of the Mosaic code. The system of blood revenging, while securing a rude kind of justice in communities where no proper means existed of bringing criminals to public trial, was liable to great abuses ( Deuteronomy 19:6 ). The usage was, however, too deeply rooted to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:1-13

The cities of refuge as types. Using the word in a popular and not in a theological sense, we may speak of them in this way. We have in the law ordaining them— I. A VIVID PICTURE OF THE DANGER OF THE SINNER . In certain points the contrast is stronger than the resemblance. 1. The manslayer might be guiltless of the crime imputed to him. His act may have been unintentional. He had in that case done nothing worthy of death ( Deuteronomy 19:6 ). To slay him would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:1-13

The cities of refuge. The blood-feud, as we know, was carried out remorselessly among nomadic nations, the manslayer having to be slain, even though his manslaying were purely accidental. In other words, there was no distinction made between manslaughter and murder by the nomadic nations in the rude early ages. But, by the Lord creating the cities of refuge, three on each side of the Jordan, to which the manslayer could repair, and where, if it was manslaughter only, he could remain... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:11-13

These cities, however, were not to be places of refuge for murderers, for those who from hatred and with wicked intent had slain others; if such fled to one of these cities, they were not to be suffered to remain there; the elders of their own city were to require them to be delivered up, that the avenger might put them to death ( Numbers 35:16-33 , etc.). In the earlier legislation, it is enacted that the congregation shall judge in such matters, and that by their decision it should be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:11-13

Lex talionis. The refuge provided by mercy is open to abuse. The perversity of man will poison the streams from the heavenly fountain. But in this city of peace none shall abide except those who have clean hands. False hopes are doomed to crushing disappointment. Even from the gate of heaven there is a back way to the prison-house of hell. The man of blood eventually destroys himself. I. HATRED IS INGENIOUS IN ACCOMPLISHING ITS NEFARIOUS ENDS . Hatred has an insatiable... read more

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