Deuteronomy 19:2

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.

American Standard Version (1901)

thou shalt set apart three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee to possess it.

Bible in Basic English

You are to have three towns marked out in the land which the Lord your God is giving you for your heritage.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Thou shalt separate to thee three cities in the midst of the land, which the Lord will give thee in possession,

Free Bible Version

then you are to choose three sanctuary towns in the country that the Lord your God is giving you to own.

Geneva Bible 1599

Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the middes of thy lande which the Lord thy God giueth thee to possesse it.

King James (Authorized) Version

Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.

One Unity Resource Bible

you shall set apart three cities for yourselves in the middle of your land, which Adonai your God gives you to possess it.

Translation for Translators

you must divide into three parts the land that he is giving to you. Then choose a city in each part. You must make good roads in order that people can get to those cities easily. Someone who kills another person can escape to one of those cities to be safe/protected.

Unlocked Literal Bible

you must select three cities for yourself in the middle of your land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess.

Noah Webster Bible

Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.

World English Bible

you shall set apart three cities for yourselves in the middle of your land, which Yahweh your God gives you to possess.

Young's Literal Translation

three cities thou dost separate for thee in the midst of thy land which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee to possess it.

Context

Cities of Refuge

¹When the LORD your God has cut off the nations whose land He is giving you, and when you have driven them out and settled in their cities and houses,²then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess. ³You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities.

Summary

This verse instructs the Israelites to set aside three cities within the land that the Lord their God is giving them as an inheritance. These cities are designated as places of refuge for anyone who unintentionally kills their neighbor without prior malice or intent. The provision of these cities of refuge demonstrates God's justice, mercy, and concern for fairness in dealing with accidental harm, ensuring that the accused receives a fair trial rather than facing immediate retaliation. It reflects God's compassion and desire for righteousness to prevail in the community, offering a system of protection and due process for those involved in such tragic circumstances.

Commentary

John Gill
Tyndale

John Gill Bible Commentary

Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land,.... From the cities they took possession of and dwelt in; and indeed from the cities of the Levites, which were given to them to inhabit; three were before ordered to be separated from those inhabited by the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, Deu 4:41 but these were to be in the midst of the land of Canaan; see Jos 20:7, which the Lord thy God giveth thee to possess it: which as it is often mentioned when this land is spoken of, so it carries in it a reason here why this order of the Lord's should be readily complied with, the whole land and all the cities of it being the gift of his to them.

Deuteronomy 19:2

Cities of Refuge

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.

American Standard Version (1901)

thou shalt set apart three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee to possess it.

Bible in Basic English

You are to have three towns marked out in the land which the Lord your God is giving you for your heritage.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Thou shalt separate to thee three cities in the midst of the land, which the Lord will give thee in possession,

Free Bible Version

then you are to choose three sanctuary towns in the country that the Lord your God is giving you to own.

Geneva Bible 1599

Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the middes of thy lande which the Lord thy God giueth thee to possesse it.

King James (Authorized) Version

Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.

One Unity Resource Bible

you shall set apart three cities for yourselves in the middle of your land, which Adonai your God gives you to possess it.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

you must select three cities for yourself in the middle of your land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess.

Noah Webster Bible

Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.

World English Bible

you shall set apart three cities for yourselves in the middle of your land, which Yahweh your God gives you to possess.

Young's Literal Translation

three cities thou dost separate for thee in the midst of thy land which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee to possess it.

Deuteronomy 19:2

Verse

Context

Cities of Refuge

Summary

Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Deuteronomy 19:2

Cities of Refuge

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes