Tyndale Open Study NotesDeuteronomy 19

Cities of refuge were placed in different parts of the land (19:2). They were located carefully so people could reach them easily.

A person accused of killing someone could run to one of these cities for protection. There, the person would be safe until a fair trial took place (see 4:41; Numbers 35:6–29).

The three cities mentioned here were in Canaan, west of the Jordan River. Three other cities were located east of the Jordan in Transjordan (see Numbers 35:13–14; Joshua 20:7).

a manslayer … having killed … accidentally: This refers to a person who does not plan the act of killing someone in advance (see 17:8).

avenger of blood (literally the redeemer of blood): The law allowed a victim's family to avenge murder. They could execute the killer when they found him (Numbers 35:16–21).

The idea was that blood shed by the victim must be paid for by the blood of the person responsible for the act (see Genesis 4:15; 9:6). In this way, the land made unclean by the shed blood could be purified (Numbers 35:33–34).

If Israel had remained faithful to the covenant, God would have given them more land (19:8). They would have needed three more cities of refuge. Sadly, this never happened because Israel disobeyed the Lord.

The Hebrew word translated as a man hates indicates a long-lasting hateful attitude. This attitude could be used as evidence that the person was likely to commit a crime and probably did it.

You are to purge (literally burn): In this context, the land could only be made free from guilt in cases of murder if blood vengeance was carried out. This act would remove the impurity. See also 13:5; 17:12.

The testimony of one witness had no more authority than the word of the accused. But two or three witnesses could confirm or challenge each other's statements. For New Testament references to this law, see Matthew 18:15–20; John 8:17–18; 2 Corinthians 13:1–2 and study note.

The legal principle described as life for life is known as lex talionis (“law of retaliation”). This means the punishment must match the crime (see Exodus 21:23; Leviticus 24:20). It should not be too weak or too harsh.

Appropriate punishment is a necessary function of government (compare Romans 13:1–7). It helped maintain Israel’s spiritual integrity as God’s people (see study note on Deuteronomy 17:7).

But vengeance belongs to God, not individuals (see 1 Samuel 25:26, 33; Matthew 5:38–39; 1 Corinthians 6:1–8).