King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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:
Complete Jewish Bible:
to which a killer might flee, that is, someone who kills by mistake a person whom he did not previously hate, and upon fleeing to one of these cities might live there.
Berean Standard Bible:
to which a manslayer could flee after killing his neighbor unintentionally without prior malice. To save one’s own life, he could flee to one of these cities:
American Standard Version:
that the manslayer might flee thither, that slayeth his neighbor unawares, and hated him not in time past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
That the slayer{H7523} might flee{H5127} thither, which should kill{H7523} his neighbour{H7453} unawares{H1097}{H1847}, and hated{H8130} him not in times{H8543} past{H8032}; and that fleeing{H5127} unto one{H259} of these{H411} cities{H5892} he might live{H2425}:
Cross-References (KJV):
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.
Numbers 35:28
- Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
Numbers 35:11
- Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.
Numbers 35:12
- And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
Hebrews 6:18
- That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Numbers 35:6
- And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites [there shall be] six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.
Deuteronomy 19:1
- ¶ When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses;
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Deuteronomy 4:42
1. Themes:
- Sanctuary and Justice: The verse speaks to the provision of cities of refuge, highlighting the themes of sanctuary for those who have caused unintentional harm and the pursuit of justice.
- Mercy and Protection: It reflects God's mercy in providing a means for individuals to escape vengeance and receive protection until a fair trial could be held.
- The Value of Human Life: The establishment of cities of refuge underscores the importance of human life, as it seeks to prevent blood vengeance and promote a more orderly legal process.
2. Historical Context:
- The verse is part of Moses' second discourse in the book of Deuteronomy, which is a series of speeches he gave to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
- The cities of refuge were a practical application of Mosaic Law, designed to deal with manslaughter (killing someone unintentionally) as opposed to premeditated murder.
- This system was established in the context of ancient Near Eastern culture, where blood feuds and the law of retaliation ("an eye for an eye") were common. The cities of refuge offered an alternative to immediate retribution, allowing for a legal process to determine the intent behind the act.
- The specific mention of "times past" indicates that the protection applied even if the individuals were not previously known to each other or had no prior enmity, ensuring that the law applied impartially.
In summary, Deuteronomy 4:42 reflects the themes of divine justice, mercy, and the sanctity of life, set within the historical context of the Israelites' preparations to enter Canaan and the establishment of a legal system that included cities of refuge for unintentional manslaughterers.
*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: 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). - 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. - 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. - Strong's Number: H1097
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּלִי
Transliteration: bᵉlîy
Pronunciation: bel-ee'
Description: from בָּלָה; properly, failure, i.e. nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc.; corruption, ig(norantly), for lack of, where no...is, so that no, none, not, un(awares), without. - Strong's Number: H1847
There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דַּעַת
Transliteration: daʻath
Pronunciation: dah'-ath
Description: from יָדַע; knowledge; cunning, (ig-) norantly, know(-ledge), (un-) awares (wittingly). - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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, - 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. - 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: H2425
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָיַי
Transliteration: châyay
Pronunciation: khaw-yah'-ee
Description: a primitive root (compare חָיָה); to live; causatively to revive; live, save life.