Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 19:11
But if any man hate his neighbor, 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:
11. But if any man hate his neighbour, etc.] The wilful murderer must not escape through the provision of protection for the innocent slayer.
and lie in wait ] Cp. E, Exo 21:14. For mortally see Deu 19:6.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 11. If any man hate his neighbour] See Clarke on Ex 21:13.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
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 z; in such a part where life is in danger, and the consequence of it is that he dies:
and fleeth into one of these cities; for shelter from the avenger of blood.
z , “anima”, Montanus, Vatablus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verses 11-13:
The Cities of Refuge were not places of sanctuary for those guilty of willful, premeditated murder, see Num 35:16-21; Num 35:30-34. A murderer who fled to a City of Refuge would not be allowed to remain there. A trial was to be held in his own home city. If the judicial inquiry determined that he was indeed guilty of premeditated murder, he would be delivered to the “avenger of blood,” for the execution of the death sentence.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
11-13. But if any man hate The appointment of cities of refuge was a merciful provision for the security of those who unintentionally should shed blood. The usage in the time of Moses evidently was the carrying out rigorously the law of retaliation. But if life had been taken without malice this provision for cities of refuge afforded a place of escape from the avenger of blood. But they were not to be places of refuge for murderers. They were not to protect those who had slain their fellow-men through hatred or for gain. Such guilty ones were to be taken from the cities by the magistrates and given up to the avenger of blood. Human life was sacred among the Hebrews. We see how carefully it was protected, how stringent was the legislation. Moses made provision for the protection of property also.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
To explain those verses upon gospel principles, we must have recourse to what was originally said concerning murder: Gen 9:6 . There should seem from hence, to be an open and daring attack upon the majesty of GOD himself in every instance of premeditated murder. Blood must therefore answer for blood. But this extends only to the punishment of the present state. In relation to the privileges of salvation by JESUS, we know that there is redemption in his blood for all manner of sin; and even some among the crucifiers of the LORD JESUS, were called by the apostle to the participation of this rich mercy on the day of Pentecost. Act 2:38-39Act 2:38-39 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Deu 19:11 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:
Ver. 11. But if any man hate his neighbour. ] As Cain did Abel, as Esau Jacob, as Absalom Amnon; as Dr Story did Queen Elizabeth, whom he cursed daily in his grace at board; a as Tyrone did the English, strangling some of his own men for no other reason but because they fed on English bread; howbeit he never spake of the queen but with honour; yea, the profane wretch styled himself cousin to God, enemy to all the world, and friend to the Queen of England. b
a A.D. 1567. – Ibid.
b Speed.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Deu 19:11-13
11But if there is a man who hates his neighbor and lies in wait for him and rises up against him and strikes him so that he dies, and he flees to one of these cities, 12then the elders of his city shall send and take him from there and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die. 13You shall not pity him, but you shall purge the blood of the innocent from Israel, that it may go well with you.
Deu 19:11 Notice the series of VERBS describing the premeditated murder:
1. hates – BDB 971, KB 1338, Qal PARTICIPLE, cf. Deu 4:42
2. lies in wait – BDB 70, KB 83, Qal PERFECT
3. rises up – BDB 877, KB 1086, Qal PERFECT
4. strikes – BDB 645, KB 697, Qal PERFECT
Deu 19:12 the elders of his city This refers to either the city nearest the crime or the city of the man’s residence.
Deu 19:13 You shall not pity him This (BDB 299, KB 298, Qal IMPERFECT) is a recurrent theme in Deuteronomy (cf. Deu 7:16; Deu 13:8; Deu 19:13; Deu 19:21; Deu 25:12). Human compassion or national feelings cannot change YHWH’s laws. Israel must be holy! Israel’s future prosperity (and even her remaining in the Promised Land) is conditioned on her obedience.
NASByou shall purge the blood of the innocent from Israel
NKJVyou shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel
NRSVyou shall purge the guilt of innocent blood from Israel
TEVIsrael must rid itself of murders
NJBYou must banish the shedding of innocent blood from Israel
The VERB (BDB 128, KB 145, Piel PERFECT) means burn, used metaphorically here of the complete removal (cf. Deu 13:8; Deu 17:7; Deu 17:12; Deu 19:13; Deu 19:19; Deu 21:21; Deu 22:21-22; Deu 22:24; Deu 24:7).
Murder affects individual’s (cf. Genesis 4) and communities’ (cf. Deu 21:1-9) relationships with and the blessings of YHWH. Sin and self destroy everything they touch!
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
man. Hebrew. ‘ish. App-14. Case of presumption.
hate. Compare Exo 21:14.
smite him mortally = smite his soul. Hebrew. nephesh (App-13) = take his life. Compare Deu 19:6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
But if any: Deu 27:24, Gen 9:6, Exo 21:12-14, Num 35:16-21, Num 35:24, Pro 28:17
mortally: Heb. in life
Reciprocal: Exo 20:13 – General Exo 21:13 – lie not Exo 21:14 – presumptuously Lev 24:17 – And he Num 35:12 – until he stand Num 35:20 – by laying Num 35:31 – Moreover Deu 17:8 – between blood