Deuteronomy 19:4

Easy To Read Version

“This is the rule for the person that kills someone and runs away to one of those three cities to be safe: It must be a person that killed the other person accidentally. It must be a person that did not hate the person he killed.

Cross References

Genesis 31:2

Then Jacob noticed that Laban was not as friendly as he had been in the past.

2 Samuel 14:11

The woman said, “Please, use the name of the Lord your God and swear (promise) that you will stop those people. They want to punish my son for murdering his brother. Swear that you won’t let them destroy my son.”

1 Chronicles 11:2

In the past, you led us in war. You led us even though Saul was the king. The Lord said to you ‘David, you will be the shepherd of my people, the people of Israel. You will become the leader over my people.’”

Isaiah 30:33

Topheth {\cf2\super [287]} has been made ready for a long time. It is ready for the king. {\cf2\super [288]} It was made very deep and wide. There is a very big pile of wood and fire there. And the Lord’s breath (Spirit) will come like a stream of burning sulfur and burn it.

Numbers 35:12

That person will be safe from anyone from the dead man’s family that wants to get even. That person will be safe until he is judged in court.

Numbers 35:9

Then the Lord spoke to Moses. He said,

Deuteronomy 19:5

Here is an example: A man goes into the forest with another person to cut wood. The man swings his axe to cut down a tree, but the head of the axe separates from the handle. The axe head hits the other person and kills him. The man who swung the axe may then run to one of those three cities and be safe.

Deuteronomy 19:6

But if the city is too far away, he might not be able to run there fast enough. A close relative [123] of the person he killed might run after him and catch him before he reaches the city. The close relative might be very angry and kill the man. But the man did not deserve death. He did not hate the person he killed.

Deuteronomy 4:42

If a person accidentally killed another person, he could run away to one of those three cities and not be put to death. But he could be safe only if he did not hate the other person and did not mean to kill him.

Joshua 3:4

But do not follow too closely. Stay about 1,000 yards [7] behind them. You have not been here before. But if you follow them, then you will know where to go.”