Deuteronomy 19:10

Verse

Thus innocent blood will not be shed in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed.

American Standard Version (1901)

that innocent blood be not shed in the midst of thy land, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee.

Bible in Basic English

So that in all your land, which the Lord your God is giving you for your heritage, no man may be wrongly put to death, for which you will be responsible.

Douay-Rheims 1899

That innocent blood may not be shed in the midst of the land which the Lord thy God will give thee to possess, lest thou be guilty of blood.

Free Bible Version

In this way the blood of innocent people won't not be shed in the country the Lord your God is giving you to own and you won't be responsible for the death of innocent people who aren't guilty of losing their lives.

Geneva Bible 1599

That innocent bloude be not shed within thy land, which the Lord thy God giueth thee to inherite, lest bloud be vpon thee.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

This is so that innocent blood will not be shed in the middle of your land which Adonai your God gives you for an inheritance, leaving blood guilt on you.

Translation for Translators

Do this in order that people who ◄are innocent/have killed someone else without planning to► will not die, and you will not be guilty for allowing them to be executed, in the land that Yahweh is giving to you.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Do this so that innocent blood is not shed in the midst of the land that Yahweh your God is giving you for as an inheritance, so that no bloodguilt may be on you.

Noah Webster Bible

That innocent blood may not be shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee.

World English Bible

This is so that innocent blood will not be shed in the middle of your land which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance, leaving blood guilt on you.

Young's Literal Translation

and innocent blood is not shed in the midst of thy land which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee — an inheritance, and there hath been upon thee blood.

Context

Cities of Refuge

⁹and if you carefully keep all these commandments I am giving you today, loving the LORD your God and walking in His ways at all times, then you are to add three more cities to these three.¹⁰Thus innocent blood will not be shed in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed.

Summary

In Deuteronomy 19:10, God instructs the Israelites to establish three cities of refuge in the land He is giving them. These cities are places of safety where someone who unintentionally kills another person can flee for protection from the avenger of blood. This provision demonstrates God's justice and mercy, ensuring that those who cause accidental harm are not unjustly punished. It also reflects God's concern for fairness and the sanctity of human life, emphasizing the importance of upholding justice and showing compassion in legal matters.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

But if any man hate his neighbour,.... Has conceived enmity in his heart against him, bears him a mortal hatred, and has formed a scheme in his mind to take away his life: and lie in wait for him knowing and expecting he will come by in such a way at such a time: and rise up against him; out of the place where he lay in wait, just at the time he is passing by: and smite him mortally that he die; or smite him in soul or life (z); in such a part where life is in danger, and the consequence of it is that he dies: and fleeth into one of these cities; for shelter from the avenger of blood. (z) "anima", Montanus, Vatablus.