Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 19:8
And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;
8. enlarge thy border ] See on Deu 12:20, and the introd. to this law.
as he hath sworn, etc.] See on Deu 1:8.
and give thee thy fathers ] Redundant after previous clause, and (though confirmed by LXX B and other Codd.) probably not original, Luc. omits. The readings here differ much in the versions and their Codd. shewing how readily scribes altered and expanded the text.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Enlarge thy coast, as far as Euphrates. See Gen 15:18; Exo 23:31; Deu 1:7.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8, 9. And if the Lord thy Godenlarge thy coastThree additional sanctuaries were to beestablished in the event of their territory extending over thecountry from Hermon and Gilead to the Euphrates (see Gen 15:18;Exo 23:31). But it was obscurelyhinted that this last provision would never be carried into effect,as the Israelites would not fulfil the conditions, namely, “thatof keeping the commandments, to love the Lord, and walk ever in hisways.” In point of fact, although that region was brought intosubjection by David and Solomon, we do not find that cities of refugewere established; because those sovereigns only made the ancientinhabitants tributary, instead of sending a colony of Israelites topossess it. The privilege of sanctuary cities, however, was givenonly for Israelites; and besides, that conquered territory did notremain long under the power of the Hebrew kings.
De19:14. THE LANDMARKIS NOTTO BE REMOVED.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And if the Lord thy God enlarge thy coast,…. Extend it further than it was upon their first settlement, even carry it as far as the river Euphrates, as in the times of Solomon, 1Ki 4:21. Jarchi interprets it of such an enlargement as to give them the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites and Kadmonites:
(as he hath sworn unto thy fathers), and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy, fathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; see
Ge 15:19.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verses 8-10:
God promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit a territory much greater than the Land of Canaan, even under its most extended boundaries under David and Solomon, see Gen 15:8. Occupation of this extended territory was contingent upon love for Jehovah God and obedience to His commands.
In the event of their occupation of this extended region, Israel was to designate three other cities as Cities of Refuge. The implication is that the same conditions applied to these as to the other six.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
8-10. Then shalt thou add Here are directions for three additional cities of refuge in case the boundaries of the nation, should be in the future extended.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
It is worthy remark, that this precept of forming three cities more, in case of the enlargement of Israel’s borders, was never fulfilled as it respected Israel only. But, had it not an eye to the enlargement of the church, when both Jew and Gentile were brought into one? See Isa 54:2-3 . And in this sense was not the precept intended to show, that the cities of refuge were as many to the Gentiles as to the Jews, and all typically referred to one and the same blessed object? Col 1:20 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Deu 19:8 And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;
Ver. 8. And give thee all the land. ] From Nile to Euphrates; Gen 15:18 which by reason of their sins he never did. Pray we with Jabez, 1Ch 4:10 “Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast (my heart), and that thine hand might be with me,” &c. “When thou shalt have enlarged mine heart,” saith David, “then will I run the way of thy commandments.” Psa 119:32
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Deu 19:8-10
8If the LORD your God enlarges your territory, just as He has sworn to your fathers, and gives you all the land which He promised to give your fathers-9if you carefully observe all this commandment which I command you today, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in His ways always-then you shall add three more cities for yourself, besides these three. 10So innocent blood will not be shed in the midst of your land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance, and bloodguiltiness be on you.
Deu 19:8 If The hypothetical PARTICLE (BDB 49) expresses the conditional nature of YHWH’s covenant with Israel (cf. Deu 19:9). He had given them the trans-jordan area and now if they obeyed He would give them Canaan.
Deu 19:9 carefully observe There is one VERB to observe (BDB 1036, KB 1581, Qal IMPERFECT, see note at Deu 6:12) followed by several INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTS:
1. to do – BDB 793, KB 889
2. to love – BDB 12, KB 17
3. to walk – BDB 229, KB 246, cf. Deu 10:12; Deu 11:1; Deu 11:13; Deu 11:22; Deu 30:16
all this commandment This SINGULAR term (BDB 846, see Special Topic: Terms for God’s Revelation ) is used to describe all of YHWH’s covenant (cf. Deu 4:2; Deu 6:1; Deu 11:8; Deu 15:5; Deu 19:9).
you shall add three more cities These three plus the three of Deu 19:2 show the six cities of refuge mentioned in Joshua 20. These refer to (1) the future three cities on the western side of the Jordan, not yet conquered or (2) Israel’s later expansion of the text after Joshua’s conquest (editorial update).
Deu 19:10 YHWH is concerned about the death of people who do not deserve to die (i.e., innocent blood, cf. 2Ki 21:16; 2Ki 24:4; Jer 22:17). In the OT there is no distinction between ethical and ritual purity. Life is precious! Its loss has consequences (blood-guiltiness, cf. Num 35:33-34). It is this consequence and other ritual uncleanness that is dealt with (1) annually by the Day of Atonement, described in Leviticus 16 and (2) locally by the sacrifice of a heifer (cf. Deu 21:1-9). As the cities of refuge dwelt with individuals, Deu 21:1-9 deals with the ritual guiltiness of communities.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
as = according as.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Deu 11:24, Deu 11:25, Deu 12:20, Gen 15:18-21, Gen 28:14, Exo 23:31, Exo 34:24, 1Ki 4:21, Ezr 4:20
Reciprocal: Num 35:14 – three cities
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Deu 19:8-9. If the Lord thy God enlarge thy coast As far as the Euphrates. If thou shalt keep all these commandments This shows that the promise of enlarging their border was conditional, and the condition not being performed the promise was never accomplished, so that there was no need for three more cities of refuge. This the Jewish writers themselves own. Yet the holy blessed God, say they, did not command it in vain, for in the days of Messiah the Prince, they shall be added. They expect it in the letter: but we know it has in Christ its spiritual accomplishment. For the borders of the gospel Israel are enlarged according to the promise: and in the Lord our righteousness, refuge is provided for all that by faith flee to him.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
19:8 And if the LORD thy God {d} enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;
(d) When you go over Jordan to possess the whole land of Canaan.