Deuteronomy 19:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:

Complete Jewish Bible:

"However, if someone hates his fellow member of the community, lies in wait for him, attacks him, strikes him a death blow, and then flees into one of these cities;

Berean Standard Bible:

If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities,

American Standard Version:

But if any man hate his neighbor, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally so that he dieth, and he flee into one of these cities;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But if any man^{H376} hate^{H8130} his neighbour^{H7453}, and lie in wait^{H693} for him, and rise up^{H6965} against him, and smite^{H5221} him mortally^{H5315} that he die^{H4191}, and fleeth^{H5127} into one^{H259} of these^{H411} cities^{H5892}:

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Deuteronomy 19:11

Deuteronomy 19:11 is part of a larger section in the book of Deuteronomy that deals with the establishment of cities of refuge and the legal procedures concerning homicide. The historical context of this verse is set during the time when the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land, and Moses was giving them the laws and statutes they were to follow once settled.

**Themes:**

1. **Justice and Law:** The verse reflects the theme of justice, specifically outlining the legal consequences for premeditated murder as opposed to unintentional manslaughter. It is part of the legislation that Moses is presenting to the Israelites, which includes detailed instructions on various legal matters.

2. **Cities of Refuge:** This verse is directly connected to the institution of cities of refuge, which were designated safe havens for individuals who had unintentionally caused the death of another person. The system was designed to protect such individuals from blood vengeance until a fair trial could determine their culpability.

3. **Moral and Ethical Behavior:** The verse emphasizes the gravity of harboring hatred and acting upon it with premeditation. It underscores the importance of community relationships and ethical conduct, condemning the deliberate act of taking another's life.

4. **Protection of Life:** The broader context highlights the value of human life, providing laws that protect individuals from wrongful death and ensuring that justice is served for both the victim and the perpetrator.

5. **Distinction Between Intentional and Unintentional Killing:** Deuteronomy 19:11 specifically addresses the scenario of intentional murder, contrasting it with unintentional manslaughter, which was treated differently under the law.

**Historical Context:**

- **Time Period:** The book of Deuteronomy is traditionally ascribed to the time of Moses, around the 13th century BCE, just before the Israelites entered Canaan.
- **Cultural Context:** The legal system presented in Deuteronomy reflects ancient Near Eastern customs, including the concept of cities of refuge, which had parallels in other contemporary societies.
- **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Pentateuch (the Torah), which contains the foundational laws and narratives of the Israelite people. It is presented as a series of speeches by Moses, summarizing the law and reiterating the covenant between God and Israel.

In summary, Deuteronomy 19:11 is part of the legal code given to the Israelites, emphasizing justice in the case of premeditated murder and the provision of cities of refuge for the protection and fair trial of those accused of manslaughter. It reflects the importance of law and order, ethical conduct, and the sanctity of life in the formation of Israelite society.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8130
   There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׂנֵא
   Transliteration: sânêʼ
   Pronunciation: saw-nay'
   Description: a primitive root; to hate (personally); enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r), odious, [idiom] utterly.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7453
   There are 173 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֵעַ
   Transliteration: rêaʻ
   Pronunciation: ray'-ah
   Description: or רֵיעַ; from רָעָה; an associate (more or less close); brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other.
   
4. Strong's Number: H693
   There are 116 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָרַב
   Transliteration: ʼârab
   Pronunciation: aw-rab'
   Description: a primitive root; to lurk; (lie in) ambush(-ment), lay (lie in) wait.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6965
   There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קוּם
   Transliteration: qûwm
   Pronunciation: koom
   Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising).
   
6. Strong's Number: H5221
   There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָכָה
   Transliteration: nâkâh
   Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5315
   There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
   Transliteration: nephesh
   Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
   Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it.
   
8. Strong's Number: H4191
   There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוּת
   Transliteration: mûwth
   Pronunciation: mooth
   Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.
   
9. Strong's Number: H5127
   There are 143 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נוּס
   Transliteration: nûwç
   Pronunciation: noos
   Description: a primitive root; to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver); [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard.
   
10. Strong's Number: H259
    There are 801 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֶחָד
    Transliteration: ʼechâd
    Pronunciation: ekh-awd'
    Description: a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together,
    
11. Strong's Number: H411
    There are 110 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֵל
    Transliteration: ʼêl
    Pronunciation: ale
    Description: a demonstrative particle (but only in a plural sense); these or those; these, those. Compare אֵלֶּה.
    
12. Strong's Number: H5892
    There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עִיר
    Transliteration: ʻîyr
    Pronunciation: eer
    Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.