“When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses; succeedest: Heb. inheritest, or, possessest”
Cross references: : Deut. 12:29
“Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.”
Exod. 21:13 ; Num. 35:9 , 11 ; Josh. 20:2
“Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.”
Make an open and ready way. Which killeth against his will, and bare no hatred in his heart.
“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: head: Heb. iron helve: Heb. wood lighteth: Heb. findeth”
That murder be not committed upon murder.
“Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer , while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past. slay: Heb. smite him in life in: Heb. from yesterday the third day”
Or, cannot be judged to death. Num. 35:12
“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;”
When thou goest over Jordan to possess the whole land of Canaan.
“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.”
Lest thou be punished for innocent blood.
“Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.”
Then whosoever pardoneth murder, offendeth against the word of God.
“One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”
Deut. 17:9 ; Matt. 18:6 ; John 8:17 2 Cor. 13:1 ; Heb. 13:21
“Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;”
God’s presence is where his true ministers are assembled.
“And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
Exod. 21:13 ; Lev. 24:20 ; Matt. 5:38