And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;

DEUTERONOMY 19:4KJV
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Deuteronomy 19:4 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 19:4 mean?

Deuteronomy 19:4 explains that a person who accidentally kills someone—without hatred or intention—may flee to a designated city to save their own life. The verse sets out the specific case where someone is not guilty of murder because the killing was unintentional and there was no past animosity.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites, giving them laws for when they settle in the promised land. This verse introduces the idea of "cities of refuge," places where someone who caused a death by accident could escape revenge from the victim’s family. The verse is careful to distinguish between accidental killing and murder, emphasizing that only those without prior hatred or intent are protected.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 19:4

  • "Slayer" (רֹצֵחַ, rotseach) means someone who kills another person. Here, it refers specifically to someone who kills unintentionally, not a murderer acting with malice.
  • "Ignorantly" (בִּבְלִי־דַעַת, bivli-da‘at) combines two words: "without" (בִּבְלִי, bivli) and "knowledge" (דַעַת, da‘at). This phrase stresses that the act was done without awareness or intent, highlighting the accidental nature of the killing.
  • "Hated" (שָׂנֵא, sane) means to hate or bear a grudge. The verse clarifies that the killer must not have had any history of hatred toward the victim, which would suggest premeditation.
  • "Flee" (נוּס, nus) means to run away or escape. It shows the urgency and desperation of someone seeking safety after an accidental death.

Why Deuteronomy 19:4 matters

  • Deuteronomy 19:4 clarifies that not all killings are treated the same in biblical law; intent and past relationship are crucial in determining guilt.
  • The verse protects people from unjust revenge, showing early concern for fairness and due process in cases of accidental harm.
  • This law sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, which outlines how cities of refuge work and who qualifies for their protection, shaping Israel’s justice system.

Where else these words appear

“ignorantly” Hebrew H1097 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 31:20 And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.
  • Job 8:11 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?
  • Job 41:33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.

“time” Hebrew H8543 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
  • Exodus 21:36 Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.
  • 1 Samuel 20:27 And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?

“live” Hebrew H2425 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
  • Leviticus 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 6:11 And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.

“past” Hebrew H8032 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
  • Deuteronomy 4:42 That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:
  • 1 Samuel 14:21 Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.