King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 19:11 Mean?

Deuteronomy 19:11 in the King James Version says “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,...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Deuteronomy 19:11 · KJV

Context

9

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:

10

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.

11

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

12

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.

13

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.

Read Deuteronomy 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally (וְכִי־יִהְיֶה אִישׁ שֹׂנֵא לְרֵעֵהוּ וְאָרַב לוֹ וְקָם עָלָיו וְהִכָּהוּ נֶפֶשׁ וָמֵת, vechi-yihyeh ish soneh lere'ehu ve'arav lo vekam alav vehikkahu nefesh vamet)—this describes premeditated murder, not accidental killing. Soneh (hate) establishes malicious intent. Arav (lie in wait, ambush) shows planning. Nefesh (soul, life) emphasizes he killed a living person.

And fleeth into one of these cities—the murderer's flight to a refuge city doesn't grant immunity. Cities of refuge protect the innocent, not the guilty. Verses 12-13 command the elders to extradite the murderer: '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.' This prevents cities of refuge from becoming criminal havens. God's mercy toward the innocent doesn't compromise justice toward the guilty. Both must operate together to reflect God's character.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This provision prevents abuse of the refuge city system. Without it, murderers could escape justice by claiming accident. The elders' investigation (verse 12) determined intent—was it hatred and premeditation, or genuinely accidental? Ancient legal systems struggled to distinguish murder from manslaughter; Israel's system required careful inquiry into motive and circumstance. The balance between accessible mercy (refuge cities) and enforceable justice (extradition of murderers) created a sophisticated legal framework uncommon in the ancient world.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's provision of both mercy and justice reflect His complete character?
  2. What safeguards prevent mercy from becoming license for evil, and justice from becoming merciless vengeance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְכִֽי1 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יִהְיֶ֥ה2 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אִישׁ֙3 of 17

“But if any man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

שֹׂנֵ֣א4 of 17

“hate”

H8130

to hate (personally)

לְרֵעֵ֔הוּ5 of 17

“his neighbour”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וְאָ֤רַב6 of 17

“and lie in wait”

H693

to lurk

לוֹ֙7 of 17
H0
וְקָ֣ם8 of 17

“for him and rise up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

עָלָ֔יו9 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְהִכָּ֥הוּ10 of 17

“against him and smite”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

נֶ֖פֶשׁ11 of 17

“him mortally”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וָמֵ֑ת12 of 17

“that he die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וְנָ֕ס13 of 17

“and fleeth”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

אֶל14 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַחַ֖ת15 of 17

“into one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

הֶֽעָרִ֥ים16 of 17

“cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הָאֵֽל׃17 of 17

“of these”

H411

these or those

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 19:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 19:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 27:24Numbers 35:16-21Exodus 21:12-14Genesis 9:6Numbers 35:24Proverbs 28:17

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Deuteronomy 19 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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