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.

DEUTERONOMY 19:3KJV
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Deuteronomy 19:3 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 19:3 mean?

Deuteronomy 19:3 instructs the Israelites to carefully prepare roads and divide their land into three regions so that anyone who accidentally kills someone (a "slayer") can quickly escape to a safe place. This verse sets up a system to protect people from revenge before a fair investigation can happen.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land that the LORD (Yahweh) their God is giving them. The command is practical: they must make sure the roads are ready and the land is divided clearly, so that anyone in danger of being killed in retaliation has a clear and accessible route to a designated city of refuge. This shows a concern for justice and mercy in the community’s legal system.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 19:3

  • prepare (כּוּן, kun): This word means to make ready or establish. The instruction is not just to have roads, but to actively ensure they are maintained and accessible, emphasizing intentional care for justice.
  • way (דֶּרֶךְ, derek): This refers to a road or path. The focus is on physical routes being clear and usable, not just symbolic or legal arrangements.
  • coasts (גְּבוּל, gevul): This word means borders or boundaries. Dividing the land into three parts is about clear regional organization, so everyone knows which city of refuge is closest.
  • slayer (רָצַח, ratzach): This word is used for someone who kills another, but here it refers to someone who has killed unintentionally, not a murderer.

Why Deuteronomy 19:3 matters

  • The verse clarifies that justice in Israel was not just about punishment, but also about protecting the innocent from wrongful harm, especially in emotionally charged situations like accidental death.
  • By emphasizing preparation and clear division, the verse shows that the community was responsible for making justice accessible, not leaving it up to chance or individual effort.
  • This verse connects to the broader biblical theme of cities of refuge, highlighting God's concern for both justice and mercy in the law given to Israel.

Where else these words appear

“parts” Hebrew H8027 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
  • 1 Samuel 20:19 And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.
  • Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

“slayer” Hebrew H7523 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.
  • Numbers 35:30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
  • Joshua 21:32 And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.

“inherit” Hebrew H5157 · used in 59 verses

  • Exodus 23:30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.
  • Deuteronomy 19:14 Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
  • Proverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

“flee” Hebrew H5127 · used in 143 verses

  • Genesis 14:10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
  • Judges 9:21 And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:14 So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.