King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 19:13 Mean?

Deuteronomy 19:13 in the King James Version says “Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 19:13 · KJV

Context

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.

14

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.

15

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.

Read Deuteronomy 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thine eye shall not pity him—the Hebrew lo-tachos einekha (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.

The command to put away the guilt of innocent blood (וּבִעַרְתָּ דַם־הַנָּקִי, u-vi'arta dam ha-naqi) reveals the theology of corporate guilt. Unpunished murder pollutes the land itself (Numbers 35:33-34). The verb ba'ar (בִּעַר, "to burn away, purge") suggests thorough cleansing, like purifying metal by fire. When a society refuses to punish murderers, it shares moral responsibility for bloodshed. The promised result—that it may go well with thee—shows that national blessing depends on maintaining justice, not merely religious ritual.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Israel held a unique understanding of land defilement. Unlike neighboring nations where gods might be appeased through ritual, Israel's covenant theology taught that sin—especially bloodshed—polluted the land itself, requiring purging through justice. Failure to execute murderers could bring divine judgment on the entire nation. This corporate responsibility created strong social pressure for proper judicial process. Moses delivered these laws as Israel prepared to establish a just society in Canaan, where Canaanite law had been far less rigorous about murder within families or lower social classes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance compassion with the requirements of justice when dealing with serious offenses?
  2. What does "the guilt of innocent blood" teach about corporate moral responsibility in church and society?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
לֹֽא1 of 10
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תָח֥וֹס2 of 10

“shall not pity”

H2347

properly, to cover, i.e., (figuratively) to compassionate

עֵֽינְךָ֖3 of 10

“Thine eye”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

עָלָ֑יו4 of 10
H5921

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

וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֧5 of 10

“him but thou shalt put away”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

דַֽם6 of 10

“blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

הַנָּקִ֛י7 of 10

“the guilt of innocent”

H5355

innocent

מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֖ל8 of 10

“from Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְט֥וֹב9 of 10

“that it may go well”

H2895

to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense

לָֽךְ׃10 of 10
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

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 19:13 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 19:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 2:31Deuteronomy 7:16Deuteronomy 7:2Deuteronomy 21:9Numbers 35:33-342 Samuel 21:1

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