King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 19:6 Mean?

Deuteronomy 19:6 in the King James Version says “Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer , while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Deuteronomy 19:6 · KJV


Context

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.

8

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;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot (פֶּן־יִרְדֹּף גֹּאֵל הַדָּם אַחֲרֵי הָרֹצֵחַ כִּי־יֵחַם לְבָבוֹ, pen-yirdof go'el hadam acharei harotseach ki-yecham levavo)—go'el hadam (kinsman-redeemer of blood) was the nearest male relative responsible for avenging murder. Yecham levavo (his heart is hot) describes burning rage, the emotional heat of fresh grief and anger.

Because the way is long addresses practical geography: if the manslayer must run too far to reach safety, the avenger may overtake and kill him in passion. Whereas he was not worthy of death (וְלוֹ אֵין מִשְׁפַּט־מָוֶת, velo ein mishpat-mavet)—literally 'no judgment of death.' Accidental killing doesn't merit capital punishment. The cities of refuge protect the innocent while grief's first rage cools, allowing rational justice rather than vigilante vengeance. This system balances the sanctity of life, the rights of the victim's family, and protection for the unintentional killer.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The go'el hadam (blood avenger) system reflects ancient Near Eastern tribal justice where the clan, not the state, enforced justice for murder. This was common across ancient cultures—family honor required avenging kinsmen's blood. Israel's innovation was the cities of refuge, which channeled this ancient custom through covenant law, protecting manslayers while maintaining justice. Numbers 35:9-34 and Joshua 20 detail the implementation. Archaeological evidence suggests these cities were strategically located for accessibility throughout Israel's territory.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's law balance justice for victims with mercy for those who cause unintentional harm?
  2. What does the provision for cities of refuge teach about God's character as both just and merciful?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
פֶּן1 of 26
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

יִרְדֹּף֩2 of 26

pursue

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

גֹּאֵ֨ל3 of 26

Lest the avenger

H1350

to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido

הַדָּ֜ם4 of 26

of the 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

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י5 of 26

the slayer

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הָֽרֹצֵ֗חַ6 of 26
H7523

properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder

כִּ֠י7 of 26

inasmuch as

H3588

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

יֵחַם֮8 of 26

is hot

H3179

probably to be hot; figuratively, to conceive

לְבָבוֹ֒9 of 26

his heart

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

וְהִשִּׂיג֛וֹ10 of 26

and overtake

H5381

to reach (literally or figuratively)

כִּ֠י11 of 26

inasmuch as

H3588

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

יִרְבֶּ֥ה12 of 26

is long

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ13 of 26

him because the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

וְהִכָּ֣הוּ14 of 26

and slay

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

נָ֑פֶשׁ15 of 26

him

H5315

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

וְלוֹ֙16 of 26
H0
אֵ֣ין17 of 26
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מִשְׁפַּט18 of 26

whereas he was not worthy

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

מָ֔וֶת19 of 26

of death

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

כִּ֠י20 of 26

inasmuch as

H3588

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

לֹ֣א21 of 26
H3808

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

שֹׂנֵ֥א22 of 26

he hated

H8130

to hate (personally)

ה֛וּא23 of 26
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

ל֖וֹ24 of 26
H0
מִתְּמ֥וֹל25 of 26

him not in time

H8543

properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday

שִׁלְשֽׁוֹם׃26 of 26

past

H8032

trebly, i.e., (in time) day before yesterday


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 19:6 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 19:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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