Deuteronomy 19: Justice, Mercy, and Truth in the Promised Land
When the Lord thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the Lord thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses;
Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee to possess it.
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.
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;
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:
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.
Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.
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;
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;
Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;
And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.
And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Deuteronomy 19 delves into crucial aspects of life in the soon-to-be-conquered Promised Land, focusing on justice, mercy, and the importance of truth. Moses provides detailed instructions regarding cities of refuge, property rights, and the handling of witnesses, all aimed at establishing a righteous and orderly society. These laws reflect God's concern for both the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty, ensuring fairness and preventing the abuse of power.
Cities of Refuge: A Haven of Mercy (Deuteronomy 19:1-13)
Before the Israelites even crossed the Jordan River, Moses commanded them to establish three cities of refuge within their territory (Deuteronomy 19:2). This provision, also detailed in Numbers 35:6-34 and Joshua 20:1-9, served as a sanctuary for individuals who had unintentionally caused the death of another person (Deuteronomy 19:3). The purpose was to protect them from the "avenger of blood," a relative of the deceased seeking retribution.
Deuteronomy 19:4-5 offers a specific scenario: a man accidentally kills his neighbor while chopping wood. Without the cities of refuge, he would be vulnerable to the victim’s family member seeking revenge. The strategic placement of these cities throughout the land ensured that a person fleeing for safety could reach one before being overtaken. This highlights God's mercy and provision for those who commit unintentional acts.
However, this protection was not extended to those who acted with malice. Someone who hated their neighbor and intentionally killed them was not to be given refuge (Deuteronomy 19:11-13). Instead, they were to be handed over to the avenger of blood to be put to death. This act of justice was necessary to "purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood," emphasizing the sanctity of life and the consequences of intentional violence. The contrast between unintentional manslaughter and premeditated murder underscores the importance of intent in determining guilt and punishment.
Protecting Property: Respecting Boundaries (Deuteronomy 19:14)
Moses also addresses the serious offense of moving a neighbor's boundary marker (Deuteronomy 19:14). This act was not merely a property dispute; it was a violation of God's ordained distribution of land to the tribes of Israel. It amounted to stealing land that God himself had allotted, placing the offender under God's curse (Deuteronomy 27:17). This law highlights the importance of respecting property rights and the divinely ordained order of society.
The Importance of Truthful Testimony (Deuteronomy 19:15-21)
The chapter concludes with a focus on the legal system and the importance of truthful testimony. Moses reiterates the principle that the testimony of two or three witnesses was required to condemn a suspect (Deuteronomy 19:15). This safeguard was put in place to prevent false accusations and ensure fair judgment.
Deuteronomy 19:16-21 addresses the situation where a single witness brings a charge that cannot be corroborated. In such cases, both parties were to stand before the LORD, before the priests and judges in authority. This emphasizes the solemnity of the situation and the need for divine guidance in discerning the truth. If the witness was proven to be a liar, they would receive the punishment they sought to inflict upon the accused. This "law of retaliation," often referred to as lex talionis, is summarized in the phrase: "life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot" (Deuteronomy 19:18-21).
It's crucial to understand that the lex talionis was not a sanction for personal revenge. Rather, it was a principle of just retribution administered by God-ordained authorities. It served to limit punishment to the severity of the crime, preventing both excessive leniency and disproportionate penalties. This law ensured fairness and prevented the escalation of violence, establishing a system of justice rooted in proportionality and accountability. God wisely prevented both leniency and excess punishment in his legal system.
Deuteronomy 19 presents a comprehensive vision for a just and merciful society. It emphasizes the importance of protecting the innocent, punishing the guilty, respecting property rights, and upholding the truth. These principles, rooted in God's character and commandments, are essential for building a society that reflects his righteousness and promotes the well-being of all its members. They continue to resonate today, reminding us of the enduring importance of justice, mercy, and truth in all aspects of life.
When the Lord thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the Lord thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses;
Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee to possess it.
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.
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;
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:
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.
Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.
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;
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;
Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;
And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.
And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Deuteronomy 19 delves into crucial aspects of life in the soon-to-be-conquered Promised Land, focusing on justice, mercy, and the importance of truth. Moses provides detailed instructions regarding cities of refuge, property rights, and the handling of witnesses, all aimed at establishing a righteous and orderly society. These laws reflect God's concern for both the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty, ensuring fairness and preventing the abuse of power.
Cities of Refuge: A Haven of Mercy (Deuteronomy 19:1-13)
Before the Israelites even crossed the Jordan River, Moses commanded them to establish three cities of refuge within their territory (Deuteronomy 19:2). This provision, also detailed in Numbers 35:6-34 and Joshua 20:1-9, served as a sanctuary for individuals who had unintentionally caused the death of another person (Deuteronomy 19:3). The purpose was to protect them from the "avenger of blood," a relative of the deceased seeking retribution.
Deuteronomy 19:4-5 offers a specific scenario: a man accidentally kills his neighbor while chopping wood. Without the cities of refuge, he would be vulnerable to the victim’s family member seeking revenge. The strategic placement of these cities throughout the land ensured that a person fleeing for safety could reach one before being overtaken. This highlights God's mercy and provision for those who commit unintentional acts.
However, this protection was not extended to those who acted with malice. Someone who hated their neighbor and intentionally killed them was not to be given refuge (Deuteronomy 19:11-13). Instead, they were to be handed over to the avenger of blood to be put to death. This act of justice was necessary to "purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood," emphasizing the sanctity of life and the consequences of intentional violence. The contrast between unintentional manslaughter and premeditated murder underscores the importance of intent in determining guilt and punishment.
Protecting Property: Respecting Boundaries (Deuteronomy 19:14)
Moses also addresses the serious offense of moving a neighbor's boundary marker (Deuteronomy 19:14). This act was not merely a property dispute; it was a violation of God's ordained distribution of land to the tribes of Israel. It amounted to stealing land that God himself had allotted, placing the offender under God's curse (Deuteronomy 27:17). This law highlights the importance of respecting property rights and the divinely ordained order of society.
The Importance of Truthful Testimony (Deuteronomy 19:15-21)
The chapter concludes with a focus on the legal system and the importance of truthful testimony. Moses reiterates the principle that the testimony of two or three witnesses was required to condemn a suspect (Deuteronomy 19:15). This safeguard was put in place to prevent false accusations and ensure fair judgment.
Deuteronomy 19:16-21 addresses the situation where a single witness brings a charge that cannot be corroborated. In such cases, both parties were to stand before the LORD, before the priests and judges in authority. This emphasizes the solemnity of the situation and the need for divine guidance in discerning the truth. If the witness was proven to be a liar, they would receive the punishment they sought to inflict upon the accused. This "law of retaliation," often referred to as lex talionis, is summarized in the phrase: "life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot" (Deuteronomy 19:18-21).
It's crucial to understand that the lex talionis was not a sanction for personal revenge. Rather, it was a principle of just retribution administered by God-ordained authorities. It served to limit punishment to the severity of the crime, preventing both excessive leniency and disproportionate penalties. This law ensured fairness and prevented the escalation of violence, establishing a system of justice rooted in proportionality and accountability. God wisely prevented both leniency and excess punishment in his legal system.
Deuteronomy 19 presents a comprehensive vision for a just and merciful society. It emphasizes the importance of protecting the innocent, punishing the guilty, respecting property rights, and upholding the truth. These principles, rooted in God's character and commandments, are essential for building a society that reflects his righteousness and promotes the well-being of all its members. They continue to resonate today, reminding us of the enduring importance of justice, mercy, and truth in all aspects of life.