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.

DEUTERONOMY 19:6KJV
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Deuteronomy 19:6 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 19:6 mean?

Deuteronomy 19:6 explains that cities of refuge were set up so that someone who accidentally killed another person would not be killed by a family member seeking revenge before a fair hearing could take place. The verse highlights the risk that the "avenger of blood," acting in anger, might catch and kill the person fleeing, even though the killing was not done out of hatred or with intent.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites about laws for their new life in the promised land. The specific concern is protecting someone who caused a death by accident from being unjustly killed by a relative of the deceased, called the "avenger of blood." The verse shows the seriousness of emotions involved ("while his heart is hot") and the need for a safe process, not just raw vengeance.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 19:6

  • "Avenger" (גָּאַל, ga'al): This word refers to a close relative responsible for protecting family rights, including avenging wrongful deaths. Here, it highlights the personal and emotional nature of justice in ancient Israel.
  • "While his heart is hot" (לֵבָב, levav + חָרָה, charah): The phrase describes the avenger acting in the heat of anger, not with calm judgment. This detail explains why immediate protection was necessary for the accused.
  • "Worthy" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): This word means "judgment" or "justice." The verse points out that the person fleeing does not deserve the death penalty, since there was no prior hatred or intent.
  • "Slayer" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh + רָצַח, ratsach): The terms together mean someone who has killed, but the context makes clear it was unintentional. The law distinguishes between murder and accidental killing.

Why Deuteronomy 19:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the law made a distinction between murder and accidental killing, protecting people from being punished unfairly in moments of high emotion.
  • The verse shows the practical concern for justice and mercy, not just strict punishment, in Israel’s legal system.
  • Deuteronomy 19:6 connects to the larger passage about cities of refuge, showing how the community was to handle difficult situations with both fairness and compassion.

Where else these words appear

“hot” Hebrew H3179 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 30:38 And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.
  • Genesis 30:41 And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.
  • Psalms 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

“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?

“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.

“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.