Deuteronomy 19:7
New International Version
This is why I command you to set aside for yourselves three cities.

New Living Translation
That is why I am commanding you to set aside three cities of refuge.

English Standard Version
Therefore I command you, You shall set apart three cities.

Berean Standard Bible
This is why I am commanding you to set apart for yourselves three cities.

King James Bible
Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.

New King James Version
Therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall separate three cities for yourself.’

New American Standard Bible
Therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall set aside for yourself three cities.’

NASB 1995
“Therefore, I command you, saying, ‘You shall set aside three cities for yourself.’

NASB 1977
“Therefore, I command you, saying, ‘You shall set aside three cities for yourself.’

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore, I am commanding you, saying, ‘You shall set apart three cities for yourself.’

Amplified Bible
Therefore, I command you, saying, ‘You shall set aside three cities [of refuge] for yourself.’

Christian Standard Bible
This is why I am commanding you to set apart three cities for yourselves.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is why I am commanding you to set apart three cities for yourselves.

American Standard Version
Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt set apart three cities for thee.

Contemporary English Version
That's why I said there must be three Safe Towns.

English Revised Version
Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is why I'm commanding you to set aside three cities for yourselves.

Good News Translation
This is why I order you to set aside three cities.

International Standard Version
Therefore I am commanding you to reserve three cities."

Majority Standard Bible
This is why I am commanding you to set apart for yourselves three cities.

NET Bible
Therefore, I am commanding you to set apart for yourselves three cities.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore I command you, saying, You shall set apart three cities for yourselves.

Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.

World English Bible
Therefore I command you to set apart three cities for yourselves.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
therefore I am commanding you, saying, You separate three cities for yourself.

Young's Literal Translation
therefore I am commanding thee, saying, Three cities thou dost separate to thee.

Smith's Literal Translation
For this I command thee, saying, Three cities thou shalt separate to thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore I command thee, that thou separate three cities at equal distance one from another.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For this reason, I instruct you to separate three cities at equal distance from one another.

New American Bible
for this reason I command you: Set apart three cities.

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore I command you: You shall set apart three cities.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore I command you, saying, You shall set apart three cities for you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this, I command you and I say to you that you shall set apart three towns for yourselves.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Wherefore I command thee, saying: 'Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore I charge thee, saying, Thou shalt separate for thy self three cities.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Cities of Refuge
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. 7This is why I am commanding you to set apart for yourselves three cities. 8And if the LORD your God enlarges your territory, as He swore to your fathers, and gives you all the land He promised them,…

Cross References
Joshua 20:1-9
Then the LORD said to Joshua, / “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, / so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. ...

Numbers 35:9-15
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, / designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. ...

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.

Deuteronomy 4:41-43
Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east / to which a manslayer could flee after killing his neighbor unintentionally without prior malice. To save one’s own life, he could flee to one of these cities: / Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau belonging to the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the Gadites, or Golan in Bashan belonging to the Manassites.

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.

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.

Acts 2:23
He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

1 John 3:15
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.

Genesis 9:6
Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.

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.

Isaiah 35:8
And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it—only those who walk in the Way—and fools will not stray onto it.

Psalm 46:1
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

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.


Treasury of Scripture

Why I command you, saying, You shall separate three cities for you.

Deuteronomy 19:8
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;

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Apart Cities Command Commanding Marked Ordering Purpose Separate Three Thyself Towns Wherefore Yourselves
Deuteronomy 19
1. The cities of refuge
4. 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














This is why
The phrase "This is why" serves as a connective tissue linking the preceding instructions with the command that follows. In the broader context of Deuteronomy, Moses is reiterating God's laws to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The phrase underscores the rationale behind God's commandments, emphasizing that they are not arbitrary but are rooted in divine wisdom and justice. Historically, this reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience to God's laws is both a response to His grace and a means of maintaining communal harmony.

I am commanding you
The authority of the command is underscored by the phrase "I am commanding you." Here, Moses speaks as God's appointed leader, conveying divine instructions. The Hebrew root for "commanding" is צָוָה (tsavah), which implies a directive that is not merely suggestive but obligatory. This reflects the theocratic nature of Israel's society, where God's will, as communicated through His prophets and leaders, is the ultimate law. It is a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands as an expression of faith and devotion.

to set apart
The phrase "to set apart" is derived from the Hebrew root קָדַשׁ (qadash), which means to consecrate or sanctify. In the biblical context, setting apart something or someone often denotes a special purpose or divine use. Here, it refers to the designation of cities of refuge, which were to be distinct from other cities in their function and purpose. This concept of sanctification is central to the biblical narrative, illustrating how God calls His people to be holy and distinct in their conduct and community life.

three cities
The specification of "three cities" is significant in the context of ancient Israelite society. These cities of refuge were strategically located to be accessible to all Israelites, ensuring that justice and mercy were available throughout the land. The number three often symbolizes completeness and stability in biblical numerology. Archaeologically, evidence of such cities has been found, supporting the historical reliability of the biblical record. This provision reflects God's concern for justice and His desire to protect the innocent, highlighting the balance between justice and mercy in His law.

for yourselves
The phrase "for yourselves" emphasizes the communal responsibility of the Israelites in establishing and maintaining these cities. It underscores the participatory nature of God's covenant with His people, where they are not passive recipients but active participants in the unfolding of His divine plan. This communal aspect is a recurring theme in Scripture, where the well-being of the community is intertwined with individual responsibility and obedience to God's commands. It serves as a reminder that God's laws are given for the benefit and flourishing of His people, calling them to live in harmony and justice.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is why
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

I
אָנֹכִ֥י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

am commanding
מְצַוְּךָ֖ (mə·ṣaw·wə·ḵā)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

you to set apart
תַּבְדִּ֥יל (taḇ·dîl)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 914: To be divided, separate

three
שָׁלֹ֥שׁ (šā·lōš)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

cities
עָרִ֖ים (‘ā·rîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5892: Excitement

for yourselves.
לָֽךְ׃ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 19:7 Therefore I command you saying You shall (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 19:6
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