King James Version
Deuteronomy 19
21 verses with commentary
Cities of Refuge
When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses; succeedest: Heb. inheritest, or, possessest
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses.</strong> God's sovereignty in displacing Canaanite nations and granting their land to Israel demonstrates both divine judgment on wicked peoples and divine grace in giving undeserved inheritance to redeemed people.<br><br>The ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
Deuteronomy 19:1-13. **THE CITIES OF REFUGE.**
(See for more on this subject, Numbers 35:9, &c.; Joshua 20)
(1) **When the Lord thy God hath cut off the nations.**—We find that the three cities of refuge on the west of Jordan were appointed by Joshua after the conquest (Joshua 20). The first three on the east of Jordan, namely, Bezer, Ramoth-Gilead, and Golan, had already been selected by Moses (D...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26-32. Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse--**(See on De 27:11).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
The cities of refuge, The man-slayer, The murderer.
(1-13)
Landmarks not to be removed.(14)
The punishment of false witnesses.(15-21)
**Verses 1-13**
Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered, and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the cities of refuge should be a protection, so that a man should not die for that ...
Read full commentary →Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.</strong> Cities of refuge demonstrate God's mercy alongside His justice. While requiring punishment for intentional murder, He provides protection for accidental manslaughter, balancing justice with compassion.<br><br>The command to <em>separate three cities</em> indicates ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26-32. Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse--**(See on De 27:11).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
The cities of refuge, The man-slayer, The murderer.
(1-13)
Landmarks not to be removed.(14)
The punishment of false witnesses.(15-21)
**Verses 1-13**
Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered, and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the cities of refuge should be a protection, so that a man should not die for that ...
Read full commentary →Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.</strong> Infrastructure supporting mercy required intentional preparation - roads to refuge cities must be maintained and clearly marked. God commands not just mercy in principle but practical provision enabling its access.<b...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26-32. Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse--**(See on De 27:11).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
The cities of refuge, The man-slayer, The murderer.
(1-13)
Landmarks not to be removed.(14)
The punishment of false witnesses.(15-21)
**Verses 1-13**
Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered, and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the cities of refuge should be a protection, so that a man should not die for that ...
Read full commentary →And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly , whom he hated not in time past; in: Heb. from yesterday the third day
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past.</strong> The distinction between intentional murder and accidental killing demonstrates God's concern for justice based on intent and motive, not merely outcome. Divine law recognizes difference between malice and misfortune.<br><br>The phr...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26-32. Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse--**(See on De 27:11).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
The cities of refuge, The man-slayer, The murderer.
(1-13)
Landmarks not to be removed.(14)
The punishment of false witnesses.(15-21)
**Verses 1-13**
Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered, and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the cities of refuge should be a protection, so that a man should not die for that ...
Read full commentary →As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour 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 neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live: head: Heb. iron helve: Heb. wood lighteth: Heb. findeth
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour 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 neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live.</strong> This specific example illustrates accidental killing - a common workplace accident where the axe head flies off, stri...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26-32. Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse--**(See on De 27:11).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
The cities of refuge, The man-slayer, The murderer.
(1-13)
Landmarks not to be removed.(14)
The punishment of false witnesses.(15-21)
**Verses 1-13**
Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered, and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the cities of refuge should be a protection, so that a man should not die for that ...
Read full commentary →Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer , while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past. slay: Heb. smite him in life in: Heb. from yesterday the third day
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot</strong> (פֶּן־יִרְדֹּף גֹּאֵל הַדָּם אַחֲרֵי הָרֹצֵחַ כִּי־יֵחַם לְבָבוֹ, <em>pen-yirdof go'el hadam acharei harotseach ki-yecham levavo</em>)—<em>go'el hadam</em> (kinsman-redeemer of blood) was the nearest male relative responsible for avenging murder. <em>Yecham levavo</em> (his heart is hot) describes burning rage...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
The cities of refuge, The man-slayer, The murderer.
(1-13)
Landmarks not to be removed.(14)
The punishment of false witnesses.(15-21)
**Verses 1-13**
Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered, and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the cities of refuge should be a protection, so that a man should not die for that ...
Read full commentary →Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee</strong> (עַל־כֵּן אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ לֵאמֹר שָׁלֹשׁ עָרִים תַּבְדִּיל לָךְ, <em>al-ken anochi metzavvecha lemor shalosh arim tavdil lach</em>)—<em>badal</em> (separate) means to set apart, consecrate for a specific purpose. These cities were holy in function, not in cultic sense—set apart to preserve innocent life....
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 12 De 12:1-15. Monuments of Idolatry to Be Destroyed.
**1. These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe--**Having in the preceding chapter inculcated upon the Israelites the general obligation to fear and love God, Moses here enters into a detail of some special duties they were to practise on their obtaining possession of the promised land.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
The cities of refuge, The man-slayer, The murderer.
(1-13)
Landmarks not to be removed.(14)
The punishment of false witnesses.(15-21)
**Verses 1-13**
Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered, and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the cities of refuge should be a protection, so that a man should not die for that ...
Read full commentary →And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers</strong> (וְאִם־יַרְחִיב יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֶת־גְּבוּלְךָ כַּאֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע לַאֲבֹתֶיךָ, <em>ve'im-yarchiv YHWH Elohecha et-gevulcha ka'asher nishba la'avotecha</em>)—<em>rachav</em> (enlarge) envisions territorial expansion beyond initial conquest. This refers to the full Abrahamic promise: 'from the river of Eg...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods--**This divine command was founded on the tendencies of human nature; for to remove out of sight everything that had been associated with idolatry, that it might never be spoken of and no vestige of it remain, was the only effectual way to keep the Israelites from temptations to it. It is obs...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
The cities of refuge, The man-slayer, The murderer.
(1-13)
Landmarks not to be removed.(14)
The punishment of false witnesses.(15-21)
**Verses 1-13**
Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered, and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the cities of refuge should be a protection, so that a man should not die for that ...
Read full commentary →If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three:
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them</strong> (כִּי תִשְׁמֹר אֶת־כָּל־הַמִּצְוָה הַזֹּאת לַעֲשֹׂתָהּ, <em>ki tishmor et-kol-hamitzvah hazot la'asotah</em>)—<em>shamar</em> (keep) means guard, observe carefully. <em>La'asot</em> (to do) emphasizes active obedience, not mere intellectual assent.<br><br><strong>To love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways</strong> re...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. And ye shall overthrow their altars--**piles of turf or small stones.
**and break their pillars--**Before the art of sculpture was known, the statues of idols were only rude blocks of colored stones.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
The cities of refuge, The man-slayer, The murderer.
(1-13)
Landmarks not to be removed.(14)
The punishment of false witnesses.(15-21)
**Verses 1-13**
Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered, and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the cities of refuge should be a protection, so that a man should not die for that ...
Read full commentary →That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>That innocent blood be not shed in thy land</strong> (וְלֹא יִשָּׁפֵךְ דָּם נָקִי בְּקֶרֶב אַרְצְךָ, <em>velo yishafech dam naki bekerev artzecha</em>)—<em>dam naki</em> (innocent blood) refers both to murder victims and to manslayers wrongly killed by vengeance. <em>Shafach</em> (shed, poured out) emphasizes the gravity of bloodshed, which defiles the land.<br><br><strong>Which the LORD t...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
The cities of refuge, The man-slayer, The murderer.
(1-13)
Landmarks not to be removed.(14)
The punishment of false witnesses.(15-21)
**Verses 1-13**
Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered, and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the cities of refuge should be a protection, so that a man should not die for that ...
Read full commentary →But if any man hate his neighbour, 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: mortally: Heb. in life
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally</strong> (וְכִי־יִהְיֶה אִישׁ שֹׂנֵא לְרֵעֵהוּ וְאָרַב לוֹ וְקָם עָלָיו וְהִכָּהוּ נֶפֶשׁ וָמֵת, <em>vechi-yihyeh ish soneh lere'ehu ve'arav lo vekam alav vehikkahu nefesh vamet</em>)—this describes premeditated murder, not accidental killing. <em>Soneh</em> (hate) establishes malici...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose ... to put his name there ... thou shalt come--**They were forbidden to worship either in the impure superstitious manner of the heathen, or in any of the places frequented by them. A particular place for the general rendezvous of all the tribes would be chosen by God Himself; and the choice of one common place for the solemn rites of religi...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
The cities of refuge, The man-slayer, The murderer.
(1-13)
Landmarks not to be removed.(14)
The punishment of false witnesses.(15-21)
**Verses 1-13**
Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered, and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the cities of refuge should be a protection, so that a man should not die for that ...
Read full commentary →Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.</strong><br><br>The Hebrew <em>goel ha-dam</em> (גֹּאֵל הַדָּם, "avenger of blood") refers to the kinsman-redeemer who had both the right and duty to exact justice for a murdered relative. Unlike the manslayer who accidentally killed (vv. 4-5), the intentiona...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
The cities of refuge, The man-slayer, The murderer.
(1-13)
Landmarks not to be removed.(14)
The punishment of false witnesses.(15-21)
**Verses 1-13**
Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered, and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the cities of refuge should be a protection, so that a man should not die for that ...
Read full commentary →Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thine eye shall not pity him</strong>—the Hebrew <em>lo-tachos einekha</em> (לֹא־תָחוֹס עֵינֶךָ) commands emotional fortitude in executing justice. Compassion toward the guilty becomes cruelty toward the innocent and society at large. This same formula appears repeatedly in Deuteronomy (7:16, 13:8, 25:12) when Israel must purge evil without sentimentality.<br><br>The command to <strong>put...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**7. there ye shall eat before the Lord--**of the things mentioned (De 12:6); but of course, none of the parts assigned to the priests before the Lord--in the place where the sanctuary should be established, and in those parts of the Holy City which the people were at liberty to frequent and inhabit.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
The cities of refuge, The man-slayer, The murderer.
(1-13)
Landmarks not to be removed.(14)
The punishment of false witnesses.(15-21)
**Verses 1-13**
Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered, and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the cities of refuge should be a protection, so that a man should not die for that ...
Read full commentary →Property Boundaries
Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark</strong> (לֹא תַסִּיג גְּבוּל רֵעֲךָ, <em>lo tasig gevul re'akha</em>)—the verb <em>nasag</em> (נָסַג) means to move back, to encroach. Ancient boundary markers (<em>gevul</em>, גְּבוּל) were typically stone pillars marking inherited land allotments. Moving them was theft disguised as surveying, a crime difficult to prove and easy to commit.<b...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark.**—Another law manifestly appropriate here, where it appears for the first time, like the “field” in the tenth commandment (Deuteronomy 5:21). But the immediate connection is not obvious. Perhaps the idea is to caution the people to avoid a most certain incentive to hatred and murder. Ancient landmarks are also important and almost sacred *witn...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verse 14**
Direction is given to fix landmarks in Canaan. It is the will of God that every one should know his own; and that means should be used to hinder the doing and suffering of wrong. This, without doubt, is a moral precept, and still binding. Let every man be content with his own lot, and be just to his neighbours in all things.
Laws Concerning Witnesses
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Witness requirement repeated: 'One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.' This reiterates Deuteronomy 17:6, extending from capital cases to all judicial matters. One witness is insufficient regardless of offense severity. The phrase 'sh...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
Deuteronomy 19:15-21. **FALSE TESTIMONY.**
The law of retaliation is sternly laid down here; but it must be administered by the judges, not by men acting on their own behalf.
(17) **Both the men . . . shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges.**—This appears to mean that all cases of suspected false testimony were to go before the supreme court (see Deuteronomy 17:9); that the...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-21**
Sentence should never be passed upon the testimony of one witness alone. A false witness should suffer the same punishment which he sought to have inflicted upon the person he accused. Nor could any law be more just. Let all Christians not only be cautious in bearing witness in public, but be careful not to join in private slanders; and let all whose consciences accuse them of...
Read full commentary →If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; that: or, falling away
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If a false witness rise up</strong> (כִּי־יָקוּם עֵד־חָמָס, <em>ki-yaqum ed-chamas</em>)—the term <em>ed chamas</em> (עֵד חָמָס) literally means "witness of violence/wrong," one who weaponizes testimony to harm the innocent. The verb <em>qum</em> (קוּם, "rise up") suggests aggressive initiative, not mere passive dishonesty. This addresses perjury with malicious intent.<br><br>To <strong>te...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-21**
Sentence should never be passed upon the testimony of one witness alone. A false witness should suffer the same punishment which he sought to have inflicted upon the person he accused. Nor could any law be more just. Let all Christians not only be cautious in bearing witness in public, but be careful not to join in private slanders; and let all whose consciences accuse them of...
Read full commentary →Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD</strong> (וְעָמְדוּ שְׁנֵי־הָאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר־לָהֶם הָרִיב לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, <em>ve'amdu shnei-ha'anashim asher-lahem ha-riv lifnei YHWH</em>)—both accuser and accused must appear <strong>before the LORD</strong>, emphasizing the sacred nature of judicial proceedings. This is not merely civil litigation but stand...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-21**
Sentence should never be passed upon the testimony of one witness alone. A false witness should suffer the same punishment which he sought to have inflicted upon the person he accused. Nor could any law be more just. Let all Christians not only be cautious in bearing witness in public, but be careful not to join in private slanders; and let all whose consciences accuse them of...
Read full commentary →And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the judges shall make diligent inquisition</strong> (וְדָרְשׁוּ הַשֹּׁפְטִים הֵיטֵב, <em>ve-darshu ha-shoftim heitev</em>)—the verb <em>darash</em> (דָּרַשׁ) means to seek, investigate thoroughly, even to interrogate. The adverb <em>heitev</em> (הֵיטֵב, "well, diligently") intensifies the requirement: judges must not accept testimony at face value but actively investigate. This anticip...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, &c.--**Hence it appears that, although males only were commanded to appear before God at the annual solemn feasts (Ex 23:17), the women were allowed to accompany them (1Sa 1:3-23).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-21**
Sentence should never be passed upon the testimony of one witness alone. A false witness should suffer the same punishment which he sought to have inflicted upon the person he accused. Nor could any law be more just. Let all Christians not only be cautious in bearing witness in public, but be careful not to join in private slanders; and let all whose consciences accuse them of...
Read full commentary →Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother</strong> (וַעֲשִׂיתֶם לוֹ כַּאֲשֶׁר זָמַם לַעֲשׂוֹת לְאָחִיו, <em>va'asitem lo ka'asher zamam la'asot le'achiv</em>)—this is the <em>lex talionis</em> (law of retaliation) applied to perjury. The verb <em>zamam</em> (זָמַם) means to plan, scheme, devise maliciously. The false witness receives the exact punishment he...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-21**
Sentence should never be passed upon the testimony of one witness alone. A false witness should suffer the same punishment which he sought to have inflicted upon the person he accused. Nor could any law be more just. Let all Christians not only be cautious in bearing witness in public, but be careful not to join in private slanders; and let all whose consciences accuse them of...
Read full commentary →And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And those which remain shall hear, and fear</strong> (וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִים יִשְׁמְעוּ וְיִרָאוּ, <em>ve-ha-nish'arim yishme'u ve-yira'u</em>)—public justice serves both punishment and education. The verb <em>shama</em> (שָׁמַע, "hear") implies not just auditory reception but understanding and taking to heart. The verb <em>yare</em> (יָרֵא, "fear") indicates healthy fear that produces behaviora...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-21**
Sentence should never be passed upon the testimony of one witness alone. A false witness should suffer the same punishment which he sought to have inflicted upon the person he accused. Nor could any law be more just. Let all Christians not only be cautious in bearing witness in public, but be careful not to join in private slanders; and let all whose consciences accuse them of...
Read full commentary →And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Proportional punishment: 'And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.' The <em>lex talionis</em> (law of retaliation) ensures proportionality—punishment matches crime. 'Life for life' means capital punishment for murder. 'Eye for eye' originally meant financial compensation equal to injury's value, not literal mutilation (Ex...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15. Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates--**Every animal designed for food, whether ox, goat, or lamb, was during the abode in the wilderness ordered to be slain as a peace offering at the door of the tabernacle; its blood to be sprinkled, and its fat burnt upon the altar by the priest. The encampment, being then round about the altar, made this practice, appointed to ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-21**
Sentence should never be passed upon the testimony of one witness alone. A false witness should suffer the same punishment which he sought to have inflicted upon the person he accused. Nor could any law be more just. Let all Christians not only be cautious in bearing witness in public, but be careful not to join in private slanders; and let all whose consciences accuse them of...
Read full commentary →