Deuteronomy Chapter 19 — Cities of Refuge and Laws of Justice
Moses instructs Israel to establish cities of refuge to protect those who commit unintentional manslaughter and defines laws regarding property and witnesses.
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Notable Verses
Deuteronomy 19:10
“This is so that innocent blood will not be shed in the middle of your land which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance, leaving blood guilt on you.”
It explains the moral necessity of providing a safe haven for those who have not committed a capital crime.
Deuteronomy 19:15
“One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin that he sins. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established.”
This verse establishes a foundational principle of biblical and modern jurisprudence regarding the burden of proof.
Deuteronomy 19:21
“Your eyes shall not pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
This describes the law of retaliation, designed to ensure the punishment fits the crime and is not excessive.
Chapter Summary
In Deuteronomy 19, Moses provides specific laws to ensure justice within the Promised Land. He commands the Israelites to set apart three cities of refuge, strategically located so that anyone who accidentally kills another person can flee there to escape the 'avenger of blood.' This provision applies specifically to unintentional acts, such as a tool head accidentally slipping from its handle, rather than acts of malice or hatred. Conversely, those who commit intentional murder are not protected and must be handed over for judgment. The chapter also prohibits the removal of a neighbor's landmark, ensuring property rights are respected. To prevent false accusations, Moses mandates that a conviction requires the testimony of at least two or three witnesses. If a witness is found to be lying, they must receive the same punishment they intended for the accused, reinforcing the principle of 'life for life, eye for eye,' which aims to deter evil and ensure fair treatment under the law.
Frequently Asked Questions
A city of refuge is a designated location where someone who kills another person unintentionally can flee to find safety from the victim's relatives. This prevents 'blood guilt' and ensures that a person who did not act out of hatred isn't killed in a moment of hot-tempered revenge.
The city of refuge only protects those who kill unintentionally. If a person commits a premeditated murder and flees there, the elders of their home city are required to bring them back and hand them over to the avenger of blood to face justice.
Deuteronomy 19 states that a single witness is not sufficient to convict someone of a crime or sin. At least two or three witnesses are required to establish a matter and ensure a fair trial.
If the judges determine that a witness has testified falsely against their neighbor, the witness must receive the exact punishment they intended for the accused person. This law was meant to deter people from lying in court and to maintain the integrity of the justice system.
Study Note
The command not to remove a neighbor's landmark reflects the importance of ancestral land inheritance, which was seen as a permanent gift from God to specific families.
Related Chapters
Numbers Chapter 35
This chapter provides further details on the specific locations and regulations for the cities of refuge.
Joshua Chapter 20
This chapter describes the actual implementation of these laws as Israel designates the cities after entering the land.
Matthew Chapter 18
Jesus references the principle of two or three witnesses in the context of communal accountability.
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