Deuteronomy 19:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he [was] not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Otherwise the next-of-kin avenger, in the heat of his anger, may pursue the killer, overtake him because the distance [to the city of refuge] is long, and strike him dead - even though he didn't deserve to die, inasmuch as he hadn't hated him in the past.

Berean Standard Bible:

Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the manslayer in a rage, overtake him if the distance is great, and strike him dead though he did not deserve to die, since he did not intend any harm.

American Standard Version:

lest the avenger of blood pursue the manslayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and smite him mortally; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Lest the avenger^{H1350} of the blood^{H1818} pursue^{H7291} the slayer^{{H310}{H7523}}, while^{H3588} his heart^{H3824} is hot^{H3179}, and overtake^{H5381} him, because the way^{H1870} is long^{H7235}, and slay^{H5221} him^{H5315}; whereas he was not worthy^{H4941} of death^{H4194}, inasmuch as^{H3588} he hated^{H8130} him not in time^{H8543} past^{H8032}.

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 19:6

Deuteronomy 19:6 is part of a section in the book of Deuteronomy that deals with the legal and moral laws given to the Israelites by Moses. The historical context of this verse is the period of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness, just before they enter the Promised Land. Moses is delivering a series of speeches to prepare the people for life in Canaan, including instructions on how to organize their society and judicial system.

The themes of Deuteronomy 19:6 include:

1. **Justice and Mercy**: The verse addresses the potential for an uncontrolled reaction to a killing, emphasizing the need for a fair and measured response rather than immediate retribution. It recognizes the human tendency to act rashly in the heat of emotion, particularly in the case of blood vengeance, which was a common practice in the ancient world.

2. **The Role of "Cities of Refuge"**: This verse is part of the establishment of "cities of refuge" (Deuteronomy 19:1-13), where someone who has accidentally killed another can flee to escape the "avenger of blood" (a relative of the deceased seeking vengeance). The cities provide a sanctuary for the "slayer" until a fair trial can be held to determine the circumstances of the death.

3. **Due Process**: The verse underscores the importance of legal procedures and the principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty. It advocates for a judicial process to decide on the guilt or innocence of the accused, rather than allowing for extrajudicial killing.

4. **Prevention of Escalating Violence**: By providing a mechanism to prevent hasty revenge, the law aims to halt cycles of retaliatory violence that could destabilize the community.

5. **Moral Responsibility**: The verse also touches on the idea of proportionality in punishment, suggesting that not all homicides are equal and that premeditated hatred should be a factor in determining guilt and punishment.

In summary, Deuteronomy 19:6 reflects the broader themes of justice, mercy, and communal order within the legal framework established by Moses for ancient Israel. It seeks to balance the need for societal protection against the need for fair and just legal processes, emphasizing the importance of intent and prior relationship between individuals in assessing culpability.

*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: H1350
   There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּאַל
   Transliteration: gâʼal
   Pronunciation: gaw-al'
   Description: a primitive root, to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), i.e.; to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow, etc.); [idiom] in any wise, [idiom] at all, avenger, deliver, (do, perform the part of near, next) kinsfolk(-man), purchase, ransom, redeem(-er), revenger.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1818
   There are 295 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּם
   Transliteration: dâm
   Pronunciation: dawm
   Description: from דָּמַם (compare אָדַם); blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood); blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7291
   There are 135 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָדַף
   Transliteration: râdaph
   Pronunciation: raw-daf'
   Description: a primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by); chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r).
   
4. Strong's Number: H310
   There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַחַר
   Transliteration: ʼachar
   Pronunciation: akh-ar'
   Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7523
   There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָצַח
   Transliteration: râtsach
   Pronunciation: raw-tsakh'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. kill (a human being), especially to murder; put to death, kill, (man-) slay(-er), murder(-er).
   
6. Strong's Number: H3588
   There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כִּי
   Transliteration: kîy
   Pronunciation: kee
   Description: a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed; and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3824
   There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵבָב
   Transliteration: lêbâb
   Pronunciation: lay-bawb'
   Description: from לָבַב; used also like לֵב; the heart (as the most interior organ); [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3179
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָחַם
   Transliteration: yâcham
   Pronunciation: yaw-kham'
   Description: a primitive root; probably to be hot; figuratively, to conceive; get heat, be hot, conceive, be warm.
   
9. Strong's Number: H5381
   There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָשַׂג
   Transliteration: nâsag
   Pronunciation: naw-sag'
   Description: a primitive root; to reach (literally or figuratively); ability, be able, attain (unto), (be able to, can) get, lay at, put, reach, remove, wax rich, [idiom] surely, (over-) take (hold of, on, upon).
   
10. Strong's Number: H1870
    There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
    Transliteration: derek
    Pronunciation: deh'-rek
    Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever).
    
11. Strong's Number: H7235
    There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רָבָה
    Transliteration: râbâh
    Pronunciation: raw-baw'
    Description: a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect); (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for רָבַב), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very.
    
12. 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.
    
13. 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.
    
14. Strong's Number: H4941
    There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
    Transliteration: mishpâṭ
    Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
    Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong.
    
15. Strong's Number: H4194
    There are 155 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָוֶת
    Transliteration: mâveth
    Pronunciation: maw'-veth
    Description: from מוּת; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin; (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d).
    
16. 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.
    
17. Strong's Number: H8543
    There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: תְּמוֹל
    Transliteration: tᵉmôwl
    Pronunciation: tem-ole'
    Description: or תְּמֹל; probably for אֶתְמוֹל; sometimes with שִׁלְשׁוֹם; properly, ago, i.e. a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday; [phrase] before (-time), [phrase] these (three) days, [phrase] heretofore, [phrase] time past, yesterday.
    
18. Strong's Number: H8032
    There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שִׁלְשׁוֹם
    Transliteration: shilshôwm
    Pronunciation: shil-shome'
    Description: or שִׁלְשֹׁם; from the same as שֶׁלֶשׁ; trebly, i.e. (in time) day before yesterday; [phrase] before (that time, -time), excellent things (from the margin), [phrase] heretofore, three days, [phrase] time past.