King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
Complete Jewish Bible:
you are to set aside three cities for yourselves in your land that ADONAI your God is giving you to possess.
Berean Standard Bible:
then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.
American Standard Version:
thou shalt set apart three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee to possess it.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Thou shalt separate{H914} three{H7969} cities{H5892} for thee in the midst{H8432} of thy land{H776}, which the LORD{H3068} thy God{H430} giveth{H5414} thee to possess{H3423} it.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 21:13
- And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver [him] into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
Joshua 20:2
- Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
Joshua 20:7
- ¶ And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.
Numbers 35:10
- Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;
Numbers 35:15
- These six cities shall be a refuge, [both] for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.
Deuteronomy 4:41
- ¶ Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sunrising;
Deuteronomy 4:43
- [Namely], Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Deuteronomy 19:2
Deuteronomy 19:2 is part of a section in the book of Deuteronomy that deals with various laws and regulations for the Israelite community as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The verse specifically commands the Israelites to designate three cities within the land they are about to possess as a divine directive from God.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the Israelites' transition from a nomadic life in the wilderness to a settled, agricultural lifestyle in Canaan. The establishment of these cities was not merely for urban planning but had a particular legal and social purpose. These cities were to serve as "cities of refuge," where individuals who had unintentionally committed manslaughter could seek asylum from avengers of blood—relatives of the deceased who might seek retribution. By fleeing to one of these cities, the perpetrator could find temporary sanctuary and await a fair trial.
The theme of Deuteronomy 19:2 reflects the broader themes of justice, mercy, and order within the Mosaic Law. It illustrates God's concern for the proper administration of justice, providing a means to prevent bloodshed and ensure that punishment is proportionate to the crime. It also highlights the value placed on human life and the importance of maintaining social stability by addressing potential conflicts through established legal procedures rather than personal vengeance.
In summary, Deuteronomy 19:2 is a command to the Israelites to set aside three cities as places of refuge, demonstrating the importance of justice and mercy in the legal system of ancient Israel. This command was part of the larger body of laws given by God to Moses, which were designed to shape a just and orderly society as the Israelites established themselves in the land of Canaan.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H914
There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּדַל
Transliteration: bâdal
Pronunciation: baw-dal'
Description: a primitive root; to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.); (make, put) difference, divide (asunder), (make) separate (self, -ation), sever (out), [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H7969
There are 381 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלוֹשׁ
Transliteration: shâlôwsh
Pronunciation: shaw-loshe'
Description: or שָׁלֹשׁ; masculine שְׁלוֹשָׁה; or שְׁלֹשָׁה; a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice; [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare שָׁלִישׁ. - 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. - Strong's Number: H8432
There are 390 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּוֶךְ
Transliteration: tâvek
Pronunciation: taw'-vek
Description: from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre; among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H3423
There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרַשׁ
Transliteration: yârash
Pronunciation: yaw-rash'
Description: or יָרֵשׁ; a primitive root; to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin; cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive(-ing) out, enjoy, expel, [idiom] without fail, (give to, leave for) inherit(-ance, -or) [phrase] magistrate, be (make) poor, come to poverty, (give to, make to) possess, get (have) in (take) possession, seize upon, succeed, [idiom] utterly.