Deuteronomy 19:6 - The Scriptures 1998

⁶ lest the revenger of blood, while his displeasure is hot, pursue the one who killed someone and overtake him, because the way is long, and shall smite him, though he was not worthy of death, since he had not hated him before.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

⁶ 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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

⁶ Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer while his [mind and] heart are hot with anger and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him even though the slayer was not worthy of death, since he had not been at enmity with him previously.

American Standard Version (1901)

⁶ lest the avenger of blood pursue the manslayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and smite him mortally; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.

Common English Bible

⁶ Otherwise, the blood avenger will chase after the killer out of rage and—especially if the distance to one of these cities is too far—might catch and kill him, even though a death sentence was not in order because the killer didn’t have prior malice toward the other.

Catholic Public Domain Version

⁶ Otherwise, perhaps the near relative of him whose blood was shed, impelled by his grief, might pursue and apprehend him, unless the way is too long, and he might strike down the life of him who is not guilty unto death, since he had demonstrated that he had no prior hatred against him who was slain.

Deuteronomy 19:6 Cross References

2 Samuel 14:7

“And see, the entire clan has risen up against your female servant and said, ‘Give him who smote his brother, so that we put him to death for the life of his brother whom he killed, and destroy the heir also.’ Thus they would extinguish my burning coal that is left, and leave to my husband neither name nor remnant on the earth.”

Numbers 35:12

‘And they shall be cities of refuge for you from the revenger, and the one who killed someone is not to die until he stands before the congregation in right-ruling.

Deuteronomy 19:5

even he who goes to the forest with his neighbour to cut timber, and his hand swings a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbour so that he dies – let him flee to one of these cities and live,

Deuteronomy 19:7

“Therefore I am commanding you, saying, ‘Separate three cities for yourself.’

Deuteronomy 21:22

“And when a man has committed a sin worthy of death, then he shall be put to death and you shall hang him on a tree.

Joshua 20:5

‘And when the revenger of blood pursues him, they do not give the slayer into his hand, because he smote his neighbour unintentionally, and did not hate him beforehand.