Roads · Intent · Evidence Every step opens the verse it rests on.
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BeginningIsrael settles the land and must protect both life and justice.When Yahweh your God cuts off the nations whose land Yahweh your God gives you, and you succeed them and dwell in their cities and in their houses, — Deuteronomy 19:1–2 · WEB
In the commentaryCities of Refuge
Prepare refuge and establish truth
1 Prepare accessible refuge
Make the route readySet apart three cities, divide the land into regions, and prepare the roads so a person responsible for an accidental death may flee.You shall prepare the way, and divide the borders of your land which Yahweh your God causes you to inherit into three parts, that every man slayer… — Deuteronomy 19:2–3 · WEB
In the commentaryCities of Refuge
2 Distinguish accident from hatred
Protect the accidental manslayerA person who causes death unintentionally, without prior hatred, may reach a city of refuge and live. Intentional murder is not sheltered.This is the case of the man slayer who shall flee there and live: Whoever kills his neighbor unintentionally, and didn’t hate him in time past— — Deuteronomy 19:4–7, 11–13 · WEB
In the commentaryCities of Refuge
3 Expand protection with the land
Prevent innocent bloodshedIf the LORD enlarges Israel’s territory, add three more cities so innocent blood is not shed in the land.This is so that innocent blood will not be shed in the middle of your land which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance, leaving blood guilt on… — Deuteronomy 19:8–10 · WEB
In the commentaryCities of Refuge
All Establish boundaries and evidence
Protect inheritance and truthDo not move a neighbor’s boundary. One witness cannot establish guilt; judges must investigate malicious testimony and answer it justly.You shall not remove your neighbor’s landmark, which they of old time have set, in your inheritance which you shall inherit, in the land that Yahweh… — Deuteronomy 19:14–21 · WEB
In the commentaryLandmarks and Witnesses
Protect life and truthful justiceThis is so that innocent blood will not be shed in the middle of your land which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance, leaving blood guilt on… — Deuteronomy 19:10, 15–21 · WEB
In the commentaryCities of Refuge
The order of these steps is adapted from the Torah flowcharts published by OpenBible.info, CC BY 4.0.