Deuteronomy 19 5

Deuteronomy 19:5 kjv

As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbor to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbor, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:

Deuteronomy 19:5 nkjv

as when a man goes to the woods with his neighbor to cut timber, and his hand swings a stroke with the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies?he shall flee to one of these cities and live;

Deuteronomy 19:5 niv

For instance, a man may go into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and as he swings his ax to fell a tree, the head may fly off and hit his neighbor and kill him. That man may flee to one of these cities and save his life.

Deuteronomy 19:5 esv

as when someone goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down a tree, and the head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies ? he may flee to one of these cities and live,

Deuteronomy 19:5 nlt

For example, suppose someone goes into the forest with a neighbor to cut wood. And suppose one of them swings an ax to chop down a tree, and the ax head flies off the handle, killing the other person. In such cases, the slayer may flee to one of the cities of refuge to live in safety.

Deuteronomy 19 verses

Deuteronomy 19 5 Meaning

Deuteronomy 19:5 describes a specific scenario of accidental death to illustrate the critical distinction between intentional murder and unintentional killing. It outlines the permissible refuge for one who has caused another's death without malice or prior enmity, allowing them to escape retribution from the blood avenger and live. The example of an ax head slipping while cutting wood vividly portrays an act devoid of malicious intent, where unforeseen circumstances lead to a fatal outcome, thereby necessitating a legal pathway for protection rather than immediate vengeance.

Deuteronomy 19 5 Context

Deuteronomy 19, like much of the book, presents a re-establishment and expansion of Israel's covenant laws, tailored for their imminent entry into the Promised Land. This chapter specifically details laws concerning cities of refuge, a provision designed to uphold justice by differentiating between intentional murder and unintentional homicide. Verses 1-4 describe the command to set apart three additional cities west of the Jordan, complementing the three Moses already established east of it (Dt 4:41-43), thereby providing accessible havens across the land. The immediate context of verse 5 is to provide a concrete, relatable example that defines unintentional killing. This clarity was essential for the legal system, ensuring that the blood avenger, typically a close male relative, could not exact unlawful revenge on someone whose act lacked malice. This system reflects God's justice and mercy, valuing human life while preventing cycles of unregulated vengeance common in ancient Near Eastern societies, where private retribution often superseded formal legal processes.

Deuteronomy 19 5 Word analysis

• as when (כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר – ka’ăšer): This phrase introduces a illustrative hypothetical situation. It's not a general statement but a specific, vivid example meant to clarify the previous general rule of protection for unintentional killing (v.4).

• a man goes (אִ֤ישׁ יֵלֵךְ֙ – ’iš yeleḵ): Signifies a common, ordinary individual performing an everyday activity. The universality suggests this could happen to anyone.

• into the forest (בַּיַּ֤עַר – baya‘ar): Establishes the setting as outdoors, remote, and often involving physical labor, where accidents can naturally occur.

• with his neighbor (אֶת־רֵעֵ֙הוּ֙ – ’et-rē‘ēhū): "Neighbor" (rēa’) here implies someone with whom one has no previous enmity or conflict. This specific detail is crucial as it immediately negates any pre-existing malicious intent (as mentioned in Dt 19:4, "who hated him not in time past").

• to cut wood (לְחָטְבּ֖וֹ עֵצִ֑ים – ləḥāṭəbbō ‘ēṣîm): This phrase indicates a productive and legitimate purpose for being in the forest. The act itself is not malicious; it is a mundane task.

• and his hand (וְנָדְחָ֙ה יָד֜וֹ – wənaḏḥāh yaḏō): While yad means "hand," the verb nadach (וְנָדְחָ֙ה) is crucial here. It means "to be cast away, to be impelled, to be dislodged, to drive out." This emphasizes the sudden, uncontrolled nature of the event – the hand is merely the instrument, but the action itself is beyond intentional control.

• swings the ax (בַּגַּרְזֶ֘ן – bāggarzen): "Ax" (garzen) specifies the tool. The motion implied is that of striking.

• to cut down a tree (לִכְרֹ֣ת עֵץ֙ – liḵrōt ‘ēṣ): The intended target. The act is directed towards the tree, not the neighbor, further confirming the absence of intent.

• and the head slips (וְנָשַׁל֩ הַבַּרְזֶ֨ל – wənašal habbarzel): This is the pivotal detail defining the accident. Nāšal means "to slip off, to fall off." Barzel refers to the "iron head" of the ax. This detail removes any possibility of personal agency in the fatal outcome; the fault lies with the tool, or an unforeseen physical event, not the person's will.

• from the handle (מִן־הָעֵ֙ץ֙ – min-hā‘ēṣ): Literally "from the wood," referring to the ax handle. This confirms the dislodgement of the tool's crucial part.

• and strikes his neighbor (וּמָצָ֥א אֶת־רֵעֵ֖הוּ – ûmāṣā’ ’et-rē‘ēhū): Literally "and finds his neighbor," meaning it hits them. The verb matsa (find) reinforces the unexpected nature of the strike; it "finds" the neighbor rather than being intentionally aimed at them.

• so that he dies (וָמֵ֖ת – wāmēṯ): The tragic and irreversible consequence, making it a case of homicide.

• he may flee (הוּא יָנ֥וּס – hû’ yānûs): This imperative action, nûs (to flee), provides the immediate solution and indicates a lawful and necessary response. It implies the manslayer recognizes their peril from the blood avenger and must seek legal protection.

• to one of these cities (אֶל־אַחַת֙ מֵֽהֶעָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה – ’el-’aḥaṯ mēhe‘ārîm hā’ēlêh): Refers directly to the cities of refuge (as previously defined in the chapter), providing the concrete means of safety.

• and live (וָחָֽי – wāḥāy): The desired and God-ordained outcome. The goal is to preserve the life of the one who killed unintentionally, preventing unwarranted blood vengeance and upholding justice.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood": Establishes a context of normal, non-hostile human activity between companions, underscoring the absence of prior malicious intent. This sets the stage for demonstrating accidental circumstances.
  • "and his hand swings the ax to cut down a tree, and the head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies": This is the core descriptive phrase of the accident. The focus shifts from the intentional action of swinging the ax to the unintended outcome caused by the "slipping" head, highlighting the complete lack of volition or direct targeting of the victim. It meticulously details the mechanical failure leading to the tragedy.
  • "he may flee to one of these cities and live": This prescriptive part outlines the legal recourse provided by the Law. It emphasizes God's provision for justice and mercy, offering protection and preservation of life for an accidental manslayer against arbitrary, retributive justice from a "blood avenger."

Deuteronomy 19 5 Bonus section

The specific nature of the example ("ax head slips") points to a society reliant on simple tools and physically demanding labor. It is a highly relatable scenario for the ancient Israelite audience. The Torah's provision for "cities of refuge" demonstrates a remarkably sophisticated legal system for its time, far exceeding the often-brutal and summary justice of many contemporary cultures. It illustrates a clear legal principle: an individual's life should not be forfeit for an unintended action, especially when lacking "hatred." This distinction forms the bedrock for modern legal concepts of degrees of homicide, distinguishing murder from involuntary manslaughter based on intent and malice aforethought. Furthermore, this chapter's insistence on easy access to these cities (by having roads made straight - v.3) indicates God's proactive desire for mercy to be accessible and highlights the high value placed on human life and the careful administration of justice.

Deuteronomy 19 5 Commentary

Deuteronomy 19:5 provides the quintessential example for distinguishing manslaughter from murder within the Mosaic Law. It's not a generic scenario, but a very specific, detailed illustration of an accident devoid of malice. The narrative carefully excludes any possibility of intent: the two men are "neighbors" (not enemies), engaged in the legitimate act of "cutting wood," and the fatality results from the "ax head slipping" (an unforeseen mechanical failure) rather than any aim or deliberation on the part of the axe-wielder. This precise example solidified the conditions for seeking asylum in a city of refuge, underscoring the advanced legal understanding that intention is paramount in culpability. The allowance for flight and preservation of life (v.4-5 and vv.1-3, which commands establishment of such cities) reflected divine mercy and provided a structured legal alternative to unregulated blood revenge (the go'el haddam), thus protecting innocent life and preventing cycles of vendetta within Israelite society. The detail highlights the sanctity of human life and God’s desire for just, compassionate legal process rather than raw retribution.