Deuteronomy 19 11

Deuteronomy 19:11 kjv

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:

Deuteronomy 19:11 nkjv

"But if anyone hates his neighbor, lies in wait for him, rises against him and strikes him mortally, so that he dies, and he flees to one of these cities,

Deuteronomy 19:11 niv

But if out of hate someone lies in wait, assaults and kills a neighbor, and then flees to one of these cities,

Deuteronomy 19:11 esv

"But if anyone hates his neighbor and lies in wait for him and attacks him and strikes him fatally so that he dies, and he flees into one of these cities,

Deuteronomy 19:11 nlt

"But suppose someone is hostile toward a neighbor and deliberately ambushes and murders him and then flees to one of the cities of refuge.

Deuteronomy 19 verses

Deuteronomy 19 11 Meaning

Deuteronomy 19:11 addresses a critical exception to the protection offered by the cities of refuge. It describes the intentional, premeditated murderer who harbors animosity towards his neighbor, actively plans to harm them, assaults them, and then takes their life. Such an individual, though fleeing to a city of refuge, does not qualify for its sanctuary, as their action is deemed a capital crime arising from malice and not an accidental death.

Deuteronomy 19 11 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 19 elaborates on the laws concerning cities of refuge, first introduced in Numbers 35 and previously alluded to in Exodus 21. The overarching purpose is to establish a just legal system within Israel that differentiates between unintentional manslaughter and premeditated murder, thereby preventing retaliatory blood feuds and ensuring fair judicial process. Verses 4-10 outline the provision for someone who accidentally causes a death, allowing them refuge from the "avenger of blood" (go'el ha-dam). Deuteronomy 19:11-13 then delineates the counter-case: the intentional killer who harbors malice and deserves no protection within these cities. Historically and culturally, this legislation aimed to replace the prevalent practice of blood vengeance with a centralized, divinely-sanctioned justice system, thus upholding the sanctity of human life and ensuring the removal of bloodguilt from the land.

Deuteronomy 19 11 Word analysis

• But if anyone: Introduces a stark contrast to the accidental killing described in the preceding verses (Deut 19:4-5), signaling a different class of killer and action.
• hates (Hebrew: sane - שָׂנֵא): This verb denotes a deep, intense animosity, far beyond mere dislike. It implies a strong emotional disposition towards hostility and ill-will, highlighting the malice aforethought in the heart of the offender. This hatred is the psychological root that leads to the outward acts of violence.
• his neighbor (Hebrew: rea - רֵעַ): Refers to a fellow member of the Israelite community, emphasizing the bond of kinship and community. The crime is thus not just against an individual, but against the social and covenantal fabric of Israel. The command to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev 19:18) stands in direct opposition to such hatred.
• and lies in wait for him (Hebrew: arav - אָרַב): Implies ambushing, lurking, or setting a trap. This verb specifically denotes premeditation and deliberate planning of harm, indicating the malicious intent and cold-blooded nature of the act. This is a crucial element that distinguishes murder from manslaughter.
• and assaults him (Hebrew: qum 'alav - קוּם עָלָיו, literally "rises against him"): This phrase denotes an aggressive, hostile confrontation, implying the attacker physically "rose up" against the victim. It signifies active engagement in violence, confirming the aggressive nature of the attack.
• and strikes him (Hebrew: yikkahu - וְהִכָּהוּ): This is a direct act of physical violence, "to strike," "to smite." It describes the immediate means by which the death is inflicted, following the preceding hostile intent and action.
• so that he dies (Hebrew: w'met - וָמֵת): Indicates the fatal consequence of the assault. The death is a direct result of the intentional striking.

Words-group analysis:

• "But if anyone hates his neighbor and lies in wait for him...": This initial sequence of phrases lays the foundation for differentiating this act from accidental killing. "Hates" signifies the inner motive, "lies in wait" signifies the premeditation and planning, and "his neighbor" specifies the relationship that makes the betrayal worse. This combination highlights a heart set on malice and an intentional, calculated approach to harm.
• "...and assaults him, and strikes him so that he dies...": This progression details the physical execution of the murderous intent. "Assaults him" indicates the initiation of the attack, and "strikes him" refers to the decisive blow leading to death. The inclusion of "so that he dies" explicitly links the action to the fatal outcome, leaving no ambiguity about the nature of the crime as murder.
• "...and he flees to one of these cities": This final phrase contrasts the deliberate killer's action with the intended purpose of the cities of refuge. The perpetrator attempts to illicitly use the system meant for the innocent, showcasing their deception and continued evasion of justice, yet they are specifically disqualified by the divine law from protection.

Deuteronomy 19 11 Bonus section

The Hebrew legal code, as seen in this verse, stands in stark contrast to the sometimes chaotic blood feuds common in ancient Near Eastern societies. By differentiating between accidental death and premeditated murder, and by centralizing judgment through the "elders of his city" (Deut 19:12), the Law sought to bring order, justice, and mercy, reflecting the character of Yahweh. The concept of "hates his neighbor" leading to physical murder finds a profound spiritual echo in the New Testament (e.g., Matt 5:21-22, 1 Jn 3:15), where hatred in the heart is equated with murder, demonstrating that God's judgment extends beyond the physical act to the internal condition of the heart, which is the wellspring of all sin. This highlights the severe spiritual gravity of malice and animosity.

Deuteronomy 19 11 Commentary

Deuteronomy 19:11 is a pivotal verse within the legislation on cities of refuge, precisely defining what constitutes deliberate murder versus accidental death. The string of verbs—"hates," "lies in wait," "assaults," "strikes"—emphatically delineates the presence of malice aforethought and premeditation. The law understands that the heart’s attitude ("hates") fuels the destructive act ("lies in wait," "assaults," "strikes"). Unlike the unintentional killer, who receives sanctuary, this individual acted out of deep-seated animosity, plotting and executing a fatal blow. Such a murderer is explicitly excluded from refuge, signifying that divine law does not shield those who deliberately shed innocent blood. Their fleeing to the city of refuge is a wrongful attempt to escape the capital punishment justly due for murder (Gen 9:6), which prevents the defilement of the land (Num 35:33-34). This principle underscores God's absolute commitment to justice and the sanctity of human life. It sets a precedent for legal systems to discern intent and malicious intent, a cornerstone of jurisprudence to this day.For example, a person who carefully tracks their rival, plans an encounter in a secluded spot, and then intentionally injures them resulting in death, clearly falls under this verse's definition, contrasted with someone who accidentally backs over a neighbor's child on their driveway.