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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:6 - 19:6
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Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot - This verse is a continuation of Deu 19:3 (for Deu 19:4, Deu 19:5, which are explanatory, are in a parenthetical form), and the meaning is that if the kinsman of a person inadvertently killed should, under the impulse of sudden excitement and without inquiring into the circumstances, inflict summary vengeance on the homicide, however guiltless, the law tolerated such an act; it was to pass with impunity. But to prevent such precipitate measures, the cities of refuge were established for the reception of the homicide, that “innocent blood might not be shed in thy land” (Deu 19:10). In the case of premeditated murder (Deu 19:11, Deu 19:12), they afforded no immunity; but, if it were only manslaughter, the moment the fugitive was within the gates, he found himself in a safe asylum (Num 35:26-28; Jos 20:6).