Deuteronomy 19:12

Verse

the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

The responsible men of his town are to send and take him, and give him up to the one who has the right of punishment to be put to death.

Douay-Rheims 1899

The ancients of his city shall send, and take him out of the place of refuge, and shall deliver him into the hand of the kinsman of him whose blood was shed, and he shall die.

Free Bible Version

the elders of his home town must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger to be killed.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then the Elders of his citie shall send and set him thence, and deliuer him into the hands of the auenger of the blood, that he may die.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

then the elders of his city shall send and bring him there, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

Translation for Translators

the elders of the city where the murdered man lived must not protect the attacker. They. must send someone to the city to which the other man escaped, and bring him to [MTY] the relative who is supposed/expected to get revenge, so that he may execute that man.

Unlocked Literal Bible

then the elders of his city must send and bring him back from there, and turn him over into the hand of the responsible relative, so that he may die.

Noah Webster Bible

Then the elders of his city shall send and bring him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

World English Bible

then the elders of his city shall send and bring him there, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

Young's Literal Translation

then the elders of his city have sent and taken him from thence, and given him into the hand of the redeemer of blood, and he hath died;

Context

Cities of Refuge

¹¹If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities,¹²the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die.¹³You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you.

Summary

This verse in Deuteronomy outlines the importance of conducting a thorough investigation before accusing someone of a crime. It emphasizes the need for careful consideration and evidence to establish guilt, ensuring justice is served. By requiring multiple witnesses to establish a case, this law promotes fairness and protects individuals from false accusations or hasty judgments. The principle of 'innocent until proven guilty' is upheld, reflecting God's concern for justice and righteousness in human affairs. Ultimately, this verse underscores the value of truth, integrity, and due process in legal proceedings.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Thine eye shall not pity him,.... This is not said to the avenger of blood, who is not to be supposed to have any pity or compassion on such a person, but to the elders, judges, and civil magistrates of the city to which he belonged, who took cognizance of his case; these were to show him no favour on account of his being a citizen, a neighbour, a relation or friend, or a rich man, or on any account whatever; but without favour or affection were to judge him and put him to death as a murderer; see Num 35:21, but thou shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel; by which they would be defiled, and be liable to punishment for it; see Num 35:33, the Targum of Jonathan is,"shall put away those that shed innocent blood out of Israel;''put them away by death: that it may go well with thee; with the whole land and its inhabitants, and with the city particularly, and the magistrates, and men of it, to which the murderer condemned to death belonged, being continued in the enjoyment of all temporal blessings and mercies.

Deuteronomy 19:12

Cities of Refuge

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

The responsible men of his town are to send and take him, and give him up to the one who has the right of punishment to be put to death.

Douay-Rheims 1899

The ancients of his city shall send, and take him out of the place of refuge, and shall deliver him into the hand of the kinsman of him whose blood was shed, and he shall die.

Free Bible Version

the elders of his home town must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger to be killed.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then the Elders of his citie shall send and set him thence, and deliuer him into the hands of the auenger of the blood, that he may die.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

then the elders of his city shall send and bring him there, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

then the elders of his city must send and bring him back from there, and turn him over into the hand of the responsible relative, so that he may die.

Noah Webster Bible

Then the elders of his city shall send and bring him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

World English Bible

then the elders of his city shall send and bring him there, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

Young's Literal Translation

then the elders of his city have sent and taken him from thence, and given him into the hand of the redeemer of blood, and he hath died;