Deuteronomy 19:7 kjv
Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.
Deuteronomy 19:7 nkjv
Therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall separate three cities for yourself.'
Deuteronomy 19:7 niv
This is why I command you to set aside for yourselves three cities.
Deuteronomy 19:7 esv
Therefore I command you, You shall set apart three cities.
Deuteronomy 19:7 nlt
That is why I am commanding you to set aside three cities of refuge.
Deuteronomy 19 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 35:6 | “The cities that you give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, to which you may flee…” | Establishes 6 total cities of refuge. |
| Num 35:9-12 | Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you...’” | Initial command for cities of refuge. |
| Num 35:15 | "...these six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the sojourner and for the settler among them, that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there." | Inclusivity and purpose of refuge. |
| Num 35:25 | "and the congregation shall rescue the man-slayer from the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge..." | Protection of the unintentional killer. |
| Deut 4:41-43 | Then Moses set apart three cities in the East beyond the Jordan, to which a man-slayer might flee... | Previous establishment of 3 cities. |
| Deut 19:1 | "When the Lord your God cuts off the nations whose land the Lord your God is giving you..." | Context of acquiring the land. |
| Deut 19:2 | "you shall set apart three cities for yourselves in the midst of your land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess." | Earlier part of the same law, setting up cities in Canaan. |
| Deut 19:3 | "You shall measure the distances and divide into three parts the area of your land...so that any manslayer can flee to them." | Command for strategic division and accessibility. |
| Deut 19:8-9 | "And if the Lord your God enlarges your territory... then you shall add three other cities..." | Command to add more cities if territory expands further. |
| Josh 20:1-9 | The Lord also spoke to Joshua, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge... They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood, that the man-slayer who strikes any person unintentionally may flee there...’” | Implementation of the cities of refuge. |
| Josh 21:13, 21, 27, 32, 38 | Mention of specific cities assigned to Levites as cities of refuge (Hebron, Shechem, Golan, Ramoth-Gilead, Bezer, Kedesh). | Listing the six cities of refuge. |
| Ex 21:12-14 | “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death. But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place to which he may flee." | Early provision for accidental homicide. |
| Lev 24:17 | "Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death." | Principle of capital punishment for murder. |
| Deut 19:10 | "Lest innocent blood be shed in your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance..." | Prevents bloodguilt on the land. |
| Deut 22:8 | "When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, that you may not bring the guilt of blood upon your house, if anyone should fall from it." | Responsibility to prevent accidental death. |
| Ps 62:8 | "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah" | God as spiritual refuge. |
| Heb 6:18 | "...that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us." | Christ as our ultimate spiritual refuge. |
| James 2:13 | "For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." | Principle of mercy in justice. |
| 1 John 3:15 | "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." | Contrasting internal sin (hatred) with murder. |
| Rom 12:19 | "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'" | Divine authority over vengeance. |
Deuteronomy 19 verses
Deuteronomy 19 7 Meaning
Deuteronomy 19:7 is a divine command given through Moses to the Israelites, instructing them to designate and strategically prepare "three more cities" within the Promised Land (Canaan) to serve as places of refuge. These cities were to complement the three cities already set aside east of the Jordan River, creating a comprehensive system of asylum across the entire Israelite territory for individuals who accidentally caused the death of another, thereby protecting them from the immediate retribution of a blood avenger until a fair trial could be held. The command emphasizes foresight and a commitment to accessible justice.
Deuteronomy 19 7 Context
Deuteronomy 19 is part of Moses's farewell address to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This chapter focuses on judicial laws designed to ensure justice and righteousness in the newly established nation. Verses 1-13 specifically deal with the regulations concerning the cities of refuge. These verses distinguish between intentional murder, which warranted execution (Deut 19:11-13), and unintentional manslaughter, for which asylum was provided (Deut 19:4-6).
Historically, the practice of blood vengeance (gō'ēl haddām - the "redeemer of blood" or "blood avenger") was common in the ancient Near East, where a relative had the right and obligation to avenge the death of a family member. The establishment of cities of refuge in Israel served as a crucial modification and regulation of this deeply ingrained custom, preventing cycles of arbitrary killing while still upholding the sanctity of human life and ensuring justice through a structured legal process. This system ensured that swift, uncontrolled revenge was avoided, allowing for a fair judgment process.
Deuteronomy 19 7 Word analysis
- Therefore (עַל־כֵּן, al-ken): This Hebrew connective directly links the preceding explanation (Deut 19:4-6) about unintentional killing and the subsequent command. It signifies a logical consequence: because such cases of unintentional killing occur, this command follows as a necessary provision for justice and societal order.
- I command you (אֲנִ֤י מְצַוְּךָ֙, ani metsavvekha): "I" refers to Moses speaking with divine authority, relaying God's direct instruction. "Command" (מְצַוְּךָ֙, metsavvekha) is from the root צָוָה (tsawah), meaning "to command" or "to order." It underscores the non-negotiable, imperative nature of the directive, reflecting the divine origin and importance of this law for Israel's legal system.
- to set apart (לְהַשְׁלִישׁ, lehashlish): This key term is from the root שָׁלַשׁ (shalash), meaning "to do a third time," "to divide into three parts," or "to make threefold." It conveys more than just "adding" cities. Here, it refers to the act of partitioning the territory west of the Jordan into three distinct sectors, with one city of refuge to be designated within each sector. This strategic geographical distribution, along with the three cities already appointed east of the Jordan (Deut 4:41-43), would ensure that a city of refuge was readily accessible from almost any part of the land, providing timely asylum for the fleeing manslayer (as implied by Deut 19:3). It emphasizes order, accessibility, and intentional design in the judicial system.
- three more cities (שָׁלֹשׁ עָרִ֖ים עוֹד, shalosh arim od): "Three" (shalosh) specifies the precise number of additional cities to be established within Canaan. "Cities" (arim) refers to urban settlements capable of housing the manslayer and facilitating their stay until judgment. "More" (od) clarifies that these are in addition to the three previously appointed cities east of the Jordan (Deut 4:41-43), bringing the total system to six cities upon entering Canaan (which Joshua later implemented, Josh 20). This also sets the stage for a potential expansion to nine cities (Deut 19:8-9) should Israel's territory enlarge further.
- for yourselves (לָ֔ךְ, lakh): The singular suffix "for yourself" or "for yourselves" (collective Israel) highlights that this law is for the benefit, protection, and responsibility of the Israelite community. The people themselves are commanded to ensure the provision of justice and protection within their own society. It underscores their role in establishing and maintaining a righteous society according to God's standards.
- "Therefore I command you to set apart": This phrase highlights God's sovereignty and His proactive concern for justice and the sanctity of human life within His covenant people. It moves beyond mere permission to an explicit divine mandate for legal provision. The direct imperative also conveys the urgency and importance of this judicial structure for the nation's spiritual well-being.
- "to set apart three more cities for yourselves": This command signifies not only a quantitative expansion but also a qualitative commitment to a just society. It ensured wide accessibility and reduced travel time, crucial for the manslayer to reach refuge before being overtaken by the blood avenger. It also represents God's detailed guidance for ordering daily life and maintaining a holy land, free from the defilement of unavenged blood. The cities were a communal provision, established by and for the people, under divine instruction.
Deuteronomy 19 7 Bonus section
The cities of refuge were a unique institution, combining principles of grace, justice, and community responsibility. The diligent effort commanded (Deut 19:3 instructs Israel to prepare roads to these cities) reveals the gravity and mercy of this provision. While providing asylum, they also ensured accountability: the unintentional killer was confined to the city until the death of the High Priest (Num 35:25, 28), symbolizing a cleansing or atonement and preventing him from escaping consequences entirely. This nuanced approach contrasts sharply with the often brutal and unregulated blood feuds of surrounding cultures. The establishment of these cities underscores God's commitment to ordered liberty, protecting the innocent while condemning true criminality. It reflects the truth that justice and mercy are not mutually exclusive but intertwined in God's character and perfect law.
Deuteronomy 19 7 Commentary
Deuteronomy 19:7 encapsulates God's comprehensive vision for justice and mercy within Israel. The command to "set apart three more cities" for refuge, in addition to the three already established east of the Jordan, demonstrates divine foresight and compassion. This detailed instruction underscores the seriousness with which God viewed the sanctity of human life while also acknowledging the reality of accidental death. By creating a regulated system of asylum, God prevented arbitrary bloodshed, ensuring that justice was administered through a communal and judicial process, not through personal vengeance. The careful geographic distribution of these cities ("dividing the land into three parts" to ensure accessibility) highlights God's meticulous care for the practical well-being and equitable treatment of all His people. The purpose was to provide a safe haven for the innocent while upholding the legal system's authority over personal retribution. This intricate legal framework not only served as a practical solution to a societal problem but also purified the land from bloodguilt, aligning Israel's practices with their identity as a holy nation set apart for the Lord. In a deeper theological sense, these cities foreshadowed the ultimate refuge found in Christ, who provides a secure sanctuary for all who flee to Him from the consequences of their spiritual brokenness and sin.