Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version For instance, a man may go into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and as he swings his ax to fell a tree, the head may fly off and hit his neighbor and kill him. That man may flee to one of these cities and save his life. New Living Translation For example, suppose someone goes into the forest with a neighbor to cut wood. And suppose one of them swings an ax to chop down a tree, and the ax head flies off the handle, killing the other person. In such cases, the slayer may flee to one of the cities of refuge to live in safety. English Standard Version as when someone goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down a tree, and the head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies—he may flee to one of these cities and live, Berean Standard Bible If he goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut timber and swings his axe to chop down a tree, but the blade flies off the handle and strikes and kills his neighbor, he may flee to one of these cities to save his life. King James Bible 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: New King James Version as when a man goes to the woods with his neighbor to cut timber, and his hand swings a stroke with the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies—he shall flee to one of these cities and live; New American Standard Bible as when a person goes into the forest with his friend to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down the tree, and the iron head slips off the handle and strikes his friend so that he dies—he may flee to one of these cities and live. NASB 1995 as when a man goes into the forest with his friend to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down the tree, and the iron head slips off the handle and strikes his friend so that he dies— he may flee to one of these cities and live; NASB 1977 as when a man goes into the forest with his friend to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down the tree, and the iron head slips off the handle and strikes his friend so that he dies—he may flee to one of these cities and live; Legacy Standard Bible as when a man goes into the forest with his friend to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down the tree, and the iron head slips off the handle and strikes his friend so that he dies—he may flee to one of these cities and live; Amplified Bible as [for example] when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down the tree, but the iron head slips off the wooden handle and hits his companion and he dies—the offender may escape to one of these cities and live; Christian Standard Bible If, for example, he goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut timber, and his hand swings the ax to chop down a tree, but the blade flies off the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies, that person may flee to one of these cities and live. Holman Christian Standard Bible If he goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut timber, and his hand swings the ax to chop down a tree, but the blade flies off the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies, that person may flee to one of these cities and live. American Standard Version as when a man goeth into the forest with his neighbor 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 neighbor, so that he dieth; he shall flee unto one of these cities and live: Contemporary English Version For example, suppose you and a friend go into the forest to cut wood. You are chopping down a tree with an ax, when the ax head slips off the handle, hits your friend, and kills him. You can run to one of the Safe Towns and save your life. English Revised Version as when a man goeth into the forest 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 these cities and live: GOD'S WORD® Translation Suppose two people go into the woods to cut wood. As one of them swings the ax to cut down a tree, the head flies off the handle, hits, and kills the other person. The one who accidentally killed the other person may run to one of these cities and save his life. Good News Translation For example, if two of you go into the forest together to cut wood and if, as one of you is chopping down a tree, the ax head comes off the handle and kills the other, you can run to one of those three cities and be safe. International Standard Version For instance, he may have accompanied his friend to go to a forest to cut trees. Then he swung his axe to cut some wood, but the ax head flew off the handle and hit his friend, so that he died. The killer may flee to one of these cities to live. NET Bible Suppose he goes with someone else to the forest to cut wood and when he raises the ax to cut the tree, the ax head flies loose from the handle and strikes his fellow worker so hard that he dies. The person responsible may then flee to one of these cities to save himself. New Heart English Bible as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to chop wood, and his hand fetches a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle, and lights on his neighbor, so that he dies; he shall flee to one of these cities and live: Webster's Bible Translation As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbor to hew wood, and his hand maketh a stroke with the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and falleth upon his neighbor, that he dieth: he shall flee to one of these cities, and live: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIf he goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut timber and swings his axe to chop down a tree, but the blade flies off the handle and strikes and kills his neighbor, he may flee to one of these cities to save his life. World English Bible as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to chop wood and his hand swings the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle and hits his neighbor so that he dies—he shall flee to one of these cities and live. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versioneven he who comes into a forest with his neighbor to hew wood, and his hand has driven with an axe to cut the tree, and the iron has slipped from the wood, and has met his neighbor, and he has died—he flees to one of these cities, and has lived, Young's Literal Translation even he who cometh in with his neighbour into a forest to hew wood, and his hand hath driven with an axe to cut the tree, and the iron hath slipped from the wood, and hath met his neighbour, and he hath died -- he doth flee unto one of these cities, and hath lived, Smith's Literal Translation And who shall go with his friend into the forest to cut wood, and his hand thrust out with the axe to out down the tree, and the iron slipped from the wood and found his friend, and he died; he shall flee to one of these cities, and he lived: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut to have gone with him to the wood to hew wood, and in cutting down the tree the axe slipped out of his hand, and the iron slipping from the handle struck his friend, and killed him: he shall flee to one of the cities aforesaid, and live: Catholic Public Domain Version such that he had gone with him into the forest simply to cut wood, and in cutting down the tree, the axe slipped from his hand, or the iron slipped from the handle, and it struck his friend and killed him: he shall flee to one of the cities stated above, and he shall live. New American Bible For example, if someone goes with a neighbor to a forest to cut wood, wielding an ax to cut down a tree, and its head flies off the handle and hits the neighbor a mortal blow, such a person may take refuge in one of these cities and live. New Revised Standard Version Suppose someone goes into the forest with another to cut wood, and when one of them swings the ax to cut down a tree, the head slips from the handle and strikes the other person who then dies; the killer may flee to one of these cities and live. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and as he lifts up his hand with the axe to cut down a tree, the iron head slips from the helve and strikes his neighbor so that he dies; he shall flee to one of these cities, and live; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he who will enter the woods with his companion to cut trees and will raise his hand with an axe to cut wood and the iron will slip off from the wood and it will strike his companion and he will die, this one shall escape into one of these towns and he will live: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917as when a man goeth into the forest 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 these cities and live; Brenton Septuagint Translation And whosoever shall enter with his neighbour into the thicket, to gather wood, if the hand of him that cuts wood with the axe should be violently shaken, and the axe head falling off from the handle should light on his neighbour, and he should die, he shall flee to one of these cities, and live. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Cities of Refuge…4Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him: 5If he goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut timber and swings his axe to chop down a tree, but the blade flies off the handle and strikes and kills his neighbor, he may flee to one of these cities to save his life. 6Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the manslayer in a rage, overtake him if the distance is great, and strike him dead though he did not deserve to die, since he did not intend any harm.… Cross References Numbers 35:22-25 But if anyone pushes a person suddenly, without hostility, or throws an object at him unintentionally, / or without looking drops a heavy stone that kills him, but he was not an enemy and did not intend to harm him, / then the congregation must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances. ... Joshua 20:3-5 so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. / When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them. / Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the manslayer into his hand, because that man killed his neighbor accidentally without prior malice. Exodus 21:13 If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. 1 Kings 2:28-34 When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ... 2 Samuel 14:14 For we will surely die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life, but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him. Numbers 35:11-12 designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. / You are to have these cities as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly. Joshua 20:9 These are the cities appointed for all the Israelites and foreigners among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly. 1 Samuel 24:4-7 So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. / Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. / So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.” ... 2 Kings 5:18-19 Yet may the LORD forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter.” / “Go in peace,” said Elisha. But after Naaman had traveled a short distance, Acts 28:4-6 When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” / But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. / The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. Hebrews 6:18 Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged. Romans 7:1-6 Do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? / For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man. ... Matthew 5:21-22 You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. Acts 7:59-60 While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” / Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Treasury of Scripture As when a man goes into the wood with his neighbor to hew wood, and his hand fetches a stroke with the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the helve, and lights on his neighbor, that he die; he shall flee to one of those cities, and live: head [heb] iron 2 Kings 6:5-7 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed… helve [heb] wood Numbers 35:25 And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil. Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. Isaiah 32:2 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. Jump to Previous Ax Axe Chop Cities Cut Die Dies Dieth Hand Handle Head Hew Lights Maketh Neighbor Slippeth Slips Stroke Tree WoodJump to Next Ax Axe Chop Cities Cut Die Dies Dieth Hand Handle Head Hew Lights Maketh Neighbor Slippeth Slips Stroke Tree WoodDeuteronomy 19 1. The cities of refuge4. The privilege thereof for the manslayer 14. The landmark is not to be removed 15. At least two witnesses are required 16. the punishment of a false witness If he goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut timber This phrase sets the scene in a forest, a common setting in ancient Israel for gathering resources. The act of cutting timber was a necessary and routine task, often done in pairs for safety and efficiency. The forest represents a place of work and provision, but also potential danger. In biblical times, forests were less dense than today, often consisting of scattered trees and shrubs. This setting underscores the unpredictability of life and the need for community and cooperation. and swings his axe to chop down a tree but the blade flies off the handle and strikes and kills his neighbor he may flee to one of these cities to save his life Persons / Places / Events 1. The ManRepresents an individual who accidentally causes harm or death to another, highlighting the need for justice tempered with mercy. 2. The Neighbor The victim in the scenario, whose death is accidental, emphasizing the importance of intent in determining guilt. 3. The Forest The setting for the accidental death, symbolizing a place of work and daily life where unforeseen events can occur. 4. The Axe The tool involved in the accident, representing the potential for everyday objects to become instruments of harm. 5. Cities of Refuge Designated places where someone who caused accidental death could flee for safety, illustrating God's provision for justice and mercy. Teaching Points Understanding IntentThe passage underscores the importance of discerning intent in matters of justice. Accidents happen, and God's law provides a way to address them without undue punishment. God's Provision for Mercy The cities of refuge are a testament to God's mercy, offering protection and a fair trial for those involved in accidental harm. This reflects God's character as both just and merciful. The Value of Human Life The provision for cities of refuge highlights the value God places on human life, ensuring that even accidental deaths are taken seriously and addressed appropriately. Community Responsibility The community's role in establishing and maintaining cities of refuge shows the collective responsibility to uphold justice and mercy, a principle that can be applied in modern contexts. Spiritual Refuge in Christ Just as the cities of refuge provided safety, Christ offers spiritual refuge and salvation. Believers can find hope and protection in Him, especially when facing life's uncertainties. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 19What are the key events in 2 Kings? Deuteronomy 19:21: Does the 'eye for eye' principle contradict New Testament teachings such as turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-39)? How plausible is it that the avenger of blood system (Numbers 35:19) was enforced fairly in the context of ancient Near Eastern tribal justice? What is Paganism and its core beliefs? Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Ifוַאֲשֶׁר֩ (wa·’ă·šer) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that he goes יָבֹ֨א (yā·ḇō) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go into the forest בַיַּעַר֮ (ḇay·ya·‘ar) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3293: A copse of bushes, a forest, honey in the comb with אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Preposition Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among his neighbor רֵעֵ֥הוּ (rê·‘ê·hū) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow to cut לַחְטֹ֣ב (laḥ·ṭōḇ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 2404: To cut or gather wood timber עֵצִים֒ (‘ê·ṣîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood and swings וְנִדְּחָ֨ה (wə·nid·də·ḥāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 5080: To impel, thrust, banish his ax בַגַּרְזֶן֙ (ḇag·gar·zen) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1631: An axe to chop down לִכְרֹ֣ת (liḵ·rōṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant a tree, הָעֵ֔ץ (hā·‘êṣ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood but the blade flies off וְנָשַׁ֤ל (wə·nā·šal) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5394: To slip or drop off, draw off, clear away the handle הָעֵ֔ץ (hā·‘êṣ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood and strikes וּמָצָ֥א (ū·mā·ṣā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present and kills וָמֵ֑ת (wā·mêṯ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill his neighbor, רֵעֵ֖הוּ (rê·‘ê·hū) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow he ה֗וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are may flee יָנ֛וּס (yā·nūs) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to one אַחַ֥ת (’a·ḥaṯ) Number - feminine singular construct Strong's 259: United, one, first of these הָאֵ֖לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those cities הֶעָרִים־ (he·‘ā·rîm-) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 5892: Excitement to save his life. וָחָֽי׃ (wā·ḥāy) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2425: To live, to revive Links Deuteronomy 19:5 NIVDeuteronomy 19:5 NLT Deuteronomy 19:5 ESV Deuteronomy 19:5 NASB Deuteronomy 19:5 KJV Deuteronomy 19:5 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 19:5 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 19:5 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 19:5 French Bible Deuteronomy 19:5 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 19:5 As when a man goes into (Deut. 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