King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 19:5 Mean?

Deuteronomy 19:5 in the King James Version says “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 dow... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Deuteronomy 19:5 · KJV


Context

3

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.

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.


Commentary

KJV Study 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. This specific example illustrates accidental killing - a common workplace accident where the axe head flies off, striking and killing a co-worker. The detailed scenario clarifies what constitutes unintentional homicide.

The example emphasizes completely unintentional nature - both men were doing normal work, no malice existed, and the death resulted from tool failure rather than negligence or carelessness. This represents pure accident without culpability for the outcome.

The promise he shall flee...and live guarantees refuge protection. Though the man caused death, lack of intent and malice means he deserves protection from revenge, not punishment. The refuge city preserves innocent life while allowing grief and justice processes to work properly.

This case law demonstrates God's mercy - even though death occurred and the victim's family suffers, executing the accidental killer would compound tragedy without serving justice.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient tools frequently failed - axe heads could slip from handles during use. Without safety equipment or modern manufacturing standards, such accidents occurred more commonly than in contemporary contexts.

The specificity of this example helped judges and communities determine whether particular deaths qualified for refuge protection or required prosecution for murder.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this specific example teach about God's concern for justice based on actual circumstances?
  2. How does protecting accidental killers demonstrate mercy without compromising justice?
  3. Why would executing someone for genuine accident compound tragedy rather than serve justice?
  4. What role do specific case examples play in helping apply general legal principles?
  5. How should grief for victims be balanced with mercy toward those who cause accidental death?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַֽאֲשֶׁר֩1 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָבֹ֨א2 of 27

As when a man goeth

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת3 of 27
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

רֵעֵ֖הוּ4 of 27

upon his neighbour

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

בַיַּעַר֮5 of 27

into the wood

H3293

a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)

לַחְטֹ֣ב6 of 27

to hew

H2404

to chop or carve wood

הָעֵ֔ץ7 of 27

from the helve

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

וְנִדְּחָ֨ה8 of 27

fetcheth a stroke

H5080

to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)

יָד֤וֹ9 of 27

and his hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

בַגַּרְזֶן֙10 of 27

with the axe

H1631

an axe

לִכְרֹ֣ת11 of 27

to cut down

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

הָעֵ֔ץ12 of 27

from the helve

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

וְנָשַׁ֤ל13 of 27

slippeth

H5394

to pluck off, i.e., divest, eject or drop

הַבַּרְזֶל֙14 of 27

and the head

H1270

iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement

מִן15 of 27
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָעֵ֔ץ16 of 27

from the helve

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

וּמָצָ֥א17 of 27

and lighteth

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

אֶת18 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רֵעֵ֖הוּ19 of 27

upon his neighbour

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וָמֵ֑ת20 of 27

that he die

H4191

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

ה֗וּא21 of 27
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יָנ֛וּס22 of 27

he shall flee

H5127

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

אֶל23 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַחַ֥ת24 of 27

unto one

H259

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

הֶֽעָרִים25 of 27

of those cities

H5892

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

הָאֵ֖לֶּה26 of 27
H428

these or those

וָחָֽי׃27 of 27

and live

H2425

to live; causatively to revive


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 19:5 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 19:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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