Deuteronomy 4 42

Deuteronomy 4:42 kjv

That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbor unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:

Deuteronomy 4:42 nkjv

that the manslayer might flee there, who kills his neighbor unintentionally, without having hated him in time past, and that by fleeing to one of these cities he might live:

Deuteronomy 4:42 niv

to which anyone who had killed a person could flee if they had unintentionally killed a neighbor without malice aforethought. They could flee into one of these cities and save their life.

Deuteronomy 4:42 esv

that the manslayer might flee there, anyone who kills his neighbor unintentionally, without being at enmity with him in time past; he may flee to one of these cities and save his life:

Deuteronomy 4:42 nlt

Anyone who killed another person unintentionally, without previous hostility, could flee there to live in safety.

Deuteronomy 4 verses

Deuteronomy 4 42 Meaning

Deuteronomy 4:42 details the precise purpose of the three cities of refuge that Moses had just set apart on the eastern side of the Jordan River. These designated cities were established as sanctuaries for individuals who had, without malicious intent or prior hatred, accidentally caused the death of a neighbor. By fleeing to one of these appointed places, the unintentional slayer could find protection from the avenger of blood and thus preserve their life until a proper judgment could confirm the absence of murderous premeditation. This divine provision ensured both justice and mercy within the community.

Deuteronomy 4 42 Context

Deuteronomy records Moses' final sermons to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, serving as a restatement and exposition of God's laws and covenant. Chapter 4 is a powerful exhortation to remember the Lord's mighty acts, keep His statutes, and avoid idolatry, emphasizing that obedience leads to life and wisdom. Within this context of establishing a righteous nation, verses 41-43 appear as a specific and practical interjection. Moses' act of immediately setting apart the three Transjordan cities of refuge underscores the urgent importance of a divinely mandated system for justice, mercy, and the sanctity of human life. It reveals God's meticulous care in distinguishing between deliberate malice and tragic accident, ensuring proper legal recourse for His people.

Deuteronomy 4 42 Word analysis

• "slayer" (rōtsēaḥ - רוֹצֵחַ): In this context, the Hebrew term refers to a person who has caused a death, but specifically in the case of unintentional homicide, rather than premeditated murder. This precise use prevents misinterpretation, setting it apart from a true murderer. The subsequent description qualifies the nature of the "slayer."
• "might flee thither" (lanūs shāmmāh - לָנוּס שָׁמָּה): "To flee" signifies an urgent and rapid escape from immediate danger. "Thither" points to a specific, designated location – one of the cities of refuge. This highlights the critical necessity for swift action to gain sanctuary and escape blood vengeance.
• "who unintentionally" (bīvlī daʿat - בִּבְלִי דַעַת): Literally "without knowledge" or "without knowing." This crucial phrase distinguishes accidental death from murder. It implies the absence of forethought, deliberation, or awareness of the potential outcome of their action, establishing the core condition for refuge.
• "slew his neighbor": The term "neighbor" (rēa') underscores that the victim was not an enemy but another Israelite, a member of the community. This indicates a tragic incident within the covenant people, reinforcing the need for both justice and community healing rather than pure retribution.
• "not having hated him in time past" (vəhū loʾ-śōṅēʾ lô mit-təmōl shilshōm): This phrase provides further, concrete evidence of the slayer's lack of malice. "From yesterday, the day before yesterday" is an idiomatic expression signifying "at any prior time" or "previously." It rules out any lingering animosity or grudge, confirming the absence of premeditation or hostile intent.
• "and that by fleeing to one of these cities he might save his life" (vəḥaī bāʾēllēh heʿārīm - וְחַי בָּאֶלֶּה הֶעָרִים): The final purpose clause states directly the saving of life as the goal. "And he shall live" (vəḥaī) confirms that the primary function of these cities was the preservation of the life of the person who committed manslaughter, ensuring they would not be killed by the avenger of blood before a fair trial.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "that a slayer might flee thither, who unintentionally slew his neighbor": This establishes the precise qualification for refuge: an individual who caused a death through a tragic accident, specifically one involving a fellow Israelite, and utterly devoid of any malicious intention. The urgency of seeking refuge is implicitly tied to the danger posed by the avenger of blood.
• "not having hated him in time past": This serves as a vital legal criterion. It demands that the unintentional act not be preceded by any existing animosity or long-standing feud between the parties, unequivocally separating an act of true accidental manslaughter from one arising from hidden malice or a planned ambush. It reflects God's justice in discerning the heart's true intent.
• "and that by fleeing to one of these cities he might save his life": This final clause articulates the divinely appointed outcome. The act of fleeing to the refuge city directly facilitates the preservation of the life of the manslayer. It highlights God's merciful provision that allowed a means for survival for those not guilty of premeditated murder, thus upholding both the sanctity of life and the demands of justice by preventing uncontrolled vengeance.

Deuteronomy 4 42 Bonus section

• The cities of refuge were appointed throughout the land, making them accessible to anyone in Israel. Roads leading to these cities were reportedly kept in good repair to ensure a quick and unimpeded path for the fugitive, underscoring God's practical care for life preservation.
• This provision was also applicable to strangers and sojourners among the Israelites (Num 35:15), indicating that God's law of justice and mercy extended beyond just native-born Israelites, showing a broader divine benevolence.
• The system, while a just provision, also contained a powerful foreshadowing: the unintentional slayer remained in the city of refuge until the death of the reigning high priest (Num 35:28). This specific condition, often overlooked, points forward to the ultimate and final "release" or redemption available to humanity through the sacrificial death of the true and final High Priest, Jesus Christ. He is our ultimate and perfect refuge, from whom we gain permanent freedom from the consequences of spiritual death and sin, not just physical death.

Deuteronomy 4 42 Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:42 unveils a crucial aspect of God's perfect law: a just and compassionate system for handling accidental death. Unlike the often arbitrary or purely retributive systems prevalent in the ancient Near East, God's provision of cities of refuge demonstrates a nuanced understanding of intent, distinguishing clearly between premeditated murder and unintentional manslaughter. This verse underlines that God is both supremely just, requiring an account for every life, and profoundly merciful, providing a sanctuary for those genuinely innocent of malicious intent.

The specific criteria—"unintentionally" and "not having hated him in time past"—reveal a divine concern for internal motive, not just external action. This system prevented cycles of indiscriminate blood vengeance (goel hadam) and promoted a structured, judicial process within Israel. The rapid flight to these cities was essential for survival, yet it also meant the slayer lived under a unique form of temporary restriction until a just verdict could be reached. Ultimately, this provision showcased God's character as orderly, just, merciful, and a preserver of human life, setting His law far above that of the nations. It offered a practical framework for the Israelites to live justly and peacefully, acknowledging the sanctity of human life and the need for a mechanism beyond personal revenge.