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.

DEUTERONOMY 19:13KJV
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Deuteronomy 19:13 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 19:13 mean?

Deuteronomy 19:13 commands the Israelites not to show pity to someone guilty of shedding innocent blood, but instead to remove the guilt from Israel so that things will go well for the nation. The verse stresses the importance of justice and the removal of wrongdoing to protect the community’s well-being.

In this passage, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to live in the land God is giving them. The context is about dealing with cases of murder, especially when someone has intentionally killed an innocent person. The verse highlights that justice must be carried out without favoritism, ensuring that the community is not held responsible for innocent blood.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 19:13

  • The word "eye" (עַיִן, ‘ayin) often represents a person’s outlook or attitude. Here, it means not letting your feelings or perspective lead you to spare the guilty person.
  • "Pity" (חָמַל, ḥamal) means to have compassion or spare someone. The verse instructs that compassion should not override justice in cases of murder.
  • "Away" (בָּעַר, ba‘ar) means to remove or purge. This word shows that the community must actively get rid of the guilt associated with innocent blood.
  • "Innocent" (נָקִי, naqiy) refers to someone who is free from guilt or wrongdoing. The verse is about protecting those who have done nothing wrong.
  • "Blood" (דָּם, dam) is a common way to refer to life or a life taken. The focus is on the seriousness of taking an innocent life.
  • "Israel" (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisra’el) refers to the whole nation, showing that the responsibility for justice is communal.
  • "Well" (טוֹב, tov) means good or well-being. The verse connects justice with the overall welfare of the people.

Why Deuteronomy 19:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that justice in cases of murder is not just a personal matter but affects the entire community’s standing before God.
  • It emphasizes that compassion, while important, should not interfere with upholding justice when innocent life is at stake.
  • The verse ties the well-being of the nation directly to the practice of justice, showing that the health of the community depends on dealing rightly with wrongdoing.

Where else these words appear

“pity” Hebrew H2347 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 45:20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.
  • Psalms 72:13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
  • Ezekiel 9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:

“well” Hebrew H2895 · used in 33 verses

  • Numbers 10:29 And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.
  • 1 Kings 8:18 And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.
  • Job 10:3 Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?

“innocent” Hebrew H5355 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 24:41 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
  • 1 Samuel 19:5 For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?
  • Psalms 24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

“away” Hebrew H1197 · used in 90 verses

  • Exodus 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
  • 2 Samuel 22:13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
  • Isaiah 30:33 For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.