Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 19:4
And this [is] the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbor ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;
4. And this is the case of ] See note on Deu 15:2, and the introd. to this law.
whoso smiteth his neighbour unawares time past ] See Deu 4:42, which has slayeth for smiteth.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live,…. It was not any slayer that might have protection in these cities, but such who were thus and thus circumstanced, or whose case was as follows:
whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly; without intention, as the Targum of Jonathan, did not design it, but was done by him unawares:
whom he hated not in time past; had never shown by words or deeds that he had any hatred of him or enmity to him three days ago; so that if there were no marks of hatred, or proofs of it three days before this happened, it was reckoned an accidental thing, and not done on purpose, as this phrase is usually interpreted; see Ex 21:29.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verses 4-7:
This text affirms the purpose of the Cities of Refuge: to provide a place of safety for a manslayer, until a judicial inquiry could determine if the death were accidental or if it were premeditated murder, see Num 35:22-29.
This text suggests a hypothetical case as an example of one who was responsible for the accidental death of another.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
It is beautiful to remark the rich provision of gospel mercies, not only for sins of notorious perverseness, but of ignorance. Alas! who can tell how oft he offendeth! But in JESUS; whom those cities of refuge represented, there is alone security for all. 1Jn 1:7 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Deu 19:4 And this [is] the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;
Ver. 4. Whom he hated not in time past. ] There is, first, a passion of hatred. This is a kind of averse ness and rising of the heart against a man, when one sees him, so that he cannot away with him, nor speak to him, nor look courteously or peaceably upon him, and by his goodwill he would have nothing to do with him. Secondly, there is a habit of hatred, when the heart is so settled in this alienation and estrangement, that it grows to wish, and desire, and seek his hurt. Both these must be mortified.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Deu 19:4-7
4Now this is the case of the manslayer who may flee there and live: when he kills his friend unintentionally, not hating him previously-5as when a man goes into the forest with his friend to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down the tree, and the iron head slips off the handle and strikes his friend so that he dies-he may flee to one of these cities and live; 6otherwise the avenger of blood might pursue the manslayer in the heat of his anger, and overtake him, because the way is long, and take his life, though he was not deserving of death, since he had not hated him previously. 7Therefore, I command you, saying, ‘You shall set aside three cities for yourself.’
Deu 19:4 case of the manslayer This is an expansion of Exo 21:12-14, which relates to the central sanctuary. This expanded the safety of the central sanctuary to the six Levitical cities of refuge.
who may flee there and live If the one who killed someone fled (BDB 630, KB 681, Qal IMPERFECT) to one of the designated cities and if the ensuing trial found that there was no premeditation then he must live (BDB 310, KB 309, Qal PERFECT) in that city of safety until the death of the current High Priest (cf. Jos 20:6).
unintentionally See note at Deu 4:42. This is the opposite of premeditated act.
Deu 19:6 avenger of blood The phrase is a construct (BDB 145 I, KB 169, Qal PARTICIPLE and BDB 196, cf. Num 35:9-28). This person is also known as kinsman redeemer(one who acts on behalf of the family). This is an example of Deu 19:21’s limited revenge (cf. Exo 21:23-25; Lev 24:19-22).
though he was not deserving of death This is a theological development of Gen 9:5-6. Here the motive behind the action is taken into consideration. That which was accidental and unpremeditated is reprieved from eye-for-an-eye retaliation. There were consequences (had to live in the city of refuge until the death of the current High Priest).
Israel, like YHWH, was to be concerned with justice and limited revenge!
Deu 19:7 Moses gave them YHWH’s word in Deu 19:1-3; he explained them in Deu 19:4-6 and, then he reasserts YHWH’s command in Deu 19:7.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
ignorantly. Compare Exo 21:12.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the slayer: Deu 4:42, Num 35:15-24
in time past: Heb. from yesterday the third day, Deu 19:6, Gen 31:2, Jos 3:4, 1Ch 11:2, Isa 30:33, *marg.
Reciprocal: Exo 21:13 – lie not Lev 4:2 – through Num 35:11 – unawares Deu 17:8 – between blood 2Sa 14:11 – the revengers 2Ki 13:5 – beforetime Phi 3:9 – be