Deuteronomy 19:3
New International Version
Determine the distances involved and divide into three parts the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that a person who kills someone may flee for refuge to one of these cities.

New Living Translation
Survey the territory, and divide the land the LORD your God is giving you into three districts, with one of these cities in each district. Then anyone who has killed someone can flee to one of the cities of refuge for safety.

English Standard Version
You shall measure the distances and divide into three parts the area of the land that the LORD your God gives you as a possession, so that any manslayer can flee to them.

Berean Standard Bible
You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities.

King James Bible
Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.

New King James Version
You shall prepare roads for yourself, and divide into three parts the territory of your land which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit, that any manslayer may flee there.

New American Standard Bible
You shall prepare the roads for yourself, and divide into three regions the territory of your land which the LORD your God will give you as an inheritance, so that anyone who commits manslaughter may flee there.

NASB 1995
“You shall prepare the roads for yourself, and divide into three parts the territory of your land which the LORD your God will give you as a possession, so that any manslayer may flee there.

NASB 1977
“You shall prepare the roads for yourself, and divide into three parts the territory of your land, which the LORD your God will give you as a possession, so that any manslayer may flee there.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall prepare the roads for yourself, and divide into three parts the territory of your land which Yahweh your God will give you to inherit, so that any manslayer may flee there.

Amplified Bible
You shall prepare and maintain for yourself the roads [to these cities], and divide the territory of your land into three parts, so that anyone who kills another unintentionally may escape there [for asylum].

Christian Standard Bible
You are to determine the distances and divide the land the LORD your God is granting you as an inheritance into three regions, so that anyone who commits manslaughter can flee to these cities.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You are to determine the distances and divide the land the LORD your God is granting you as an inheritance into three regions, so that anyone who commits manslaughter can flee to these cities.”

American Standard Version
Thou shalt prepare thee the way, and divide the borders of thy land, which Jehovah thy God causeth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every manslayer may flee thither.

English Revised Version
Thou shalt prepare thee the way, and divide the borders of thy land, which the LORD thy God causeth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every manslayer may flee thither.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Provide a route to each of these cities and divide the land that the LORD your God is giving you into three regions. Whoever kills someone may run to one of these cities.

International Standard Version
Build roads throughout the land that the LORD your God is providing as an inheritance, and then divide it into three districts so that any killer may flee there.

Majority Standard Bible
You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities.

NET Bible
You shall build a roadway and divide into thirds the whole extent of your land that the LORD your God is providing as your inheritance; anyone who kills another person should flee to the closest of these cities.

New Heart English Bible
You shall prepare you the way, and divide the borders of your land, which the LORD your God causes you to inherit, into three parts, that every manslayer may flee there.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the limits of thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.

World English Bible
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 may flee there.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You prepare the way for yourself, and have divided into three parts the border of your land which your God YHWH causes you to inherit, and it has been for the fleeing there of every manslayer.

Young's Literal Translation
Thou dost prepare for thee the way, and hast divided into three parts the border of thy land which Jehovah thy God doth cause thee to inherit, and it hath been for the fleeing thither of every man-slayer.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt prepare to thee the way, and divide into three parts the boundary of thy land which Jehovah thy God causes thee to inherit; and it was for every slayer to flee there.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Paving diligently the way: and thou shalt divide the whole province of thy land equally into three parts: that he who is forced to flee for manslaughter, may have near at hand whither to escape.

Catholic Public Domain Version
paving the road carefully. And you shall divide the entire province of your land equally into three parts, so that he who is forced to flee because of manslaughter may have a place nearby to which he may be able to escape.

New American Bible
You shall measure the distances and divide into three regions the land of which the LORD, your God, is giving you possession, so that every homicide will be able to find a refuge.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall calculate the distances and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God gives you as a possession, so that any homicide can flee to one of them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall prepare for you a highway, and divide into three parts the land which the LORD your God gives you to inherit, that any slayer may flee thither.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Prepare a road and divide the borders of the land into three, that LORD JEHOVAH your God causes you to inherit, that any killer may be escaping there.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thou shalt prepare thee the way, and divide the borders of thy land, which the LORD thy God causeth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every manslayer may flee thither.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Take a survey of thy way, and thou shalt divide the coasts of thy land, which the Lord thy God apportions to thee, into three parts, and there shall be there a refuge for every manslayer.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Cities of Refuge
2then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess. 3You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities. 4Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him:…

Cross References
Joshua 20:2-9
“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, / so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. / When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them. ...

Numbers 35:6-34
Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities. / The total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, with their corresponding pasturelands. / The cities that you apportion from the territory of the Israelites should be given to the Levites in proportion to the inheritance of each tribe: more from a larger tribe and less from a smaller one.” ...

Exodus 21:13
If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.

Hebrews 6:18
Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.

Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 5:21-22
You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

1 John 3:15
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Psalm 46:1
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Isaiah 35:8
And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it—only those who walk in the Way—and fools will not stray onto it.

2 Samuel 14:14
For we will surely die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life, but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him.

Proverbs 28:17
A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.

Ezekiel 18:32
For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!

Luke 6:27-28
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!


Treasury of Scripture

You shall prepare you a way, and divide the coasts of your land, which the LORD your God gives you to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.

Isaiah 35:8
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

Isaiah 57:14
And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.

Isaiah 62:10
Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.

Jump to Previous
Area Border Borders Build Cause Causes Causeth Coasts Divide Divided Heritage Inherit Inheritance Kills Limits Manslayer Parts Possession Prepare Roads Slayer Taker Territory Thither Three Way
Jump to Next
Area Border Borders Build Cause Causes Causeth Coasts Divide Divided Heritage Inherit Inheritance Kills Limits Manslayer Parts Possession Prepare Roads Slayer Taker Territory Thither Three Way
Deuteronomy 19
1. The cities of refuge
4. The privilege thereof for the manslayer
14. The landmark is not to be removed
15. At least two witnesses are required
16. the punishment of a false witness














You are to build roads
In Deuteronomy 19:3, the instruction to "build roads" is both practical and symbolic. The Hebrew root for "build" is "בָּנָה" (banah), which implies constructing or establishing something with care and purpose. Roads in ancient Israel were vital for communication, trade, and travel. Spiritually, this can be seen as a call to prepare paths for justice and mercy, ensuring accessibility and fairness in the community. The roads symbolize the way to refuge, reflecting God's provision and care for His people.

for yourselves
The phrase "for yourselves" emphasizes personal responsibility and communal involvement. The Hebrew word "לָכֶם" (lachem) indicates that the Israelites were to take ownership of this task. It underscores the importance of community action in creating a society that reflects God's laws and values. This collective effort ensures that the cities of refuge are accessible to all, highlighting the communal nature of justice and mercy.

in the land
The term "in the land" refers to the Promised Land, Canaan, which God gave to the Israelites. The Hebrew word "בָּאָרֶץ" (ba'aretz) signifies not just a physical location but a divine inheritance. This land was a gift from God, a place where His laws were to be lived out. The establishment of roads in this land signifies the integration of divine justice into the daily life of the Israelites, ensuring that God's commandments are woven into the fabric of their society.

the LORD your God is giving you
This phrase highlights the divine origin of the land. The Hebrew name for God here is "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the covenantal name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and sovereignty. The land is a gift, a testament to God's promises and His relationship with Israel. This divine gift comes with responsibilities, including the establishment of justice and mercy, as symbolized by the roads to the cities of refuge.

to inherit
The word "to inherit" comes from the Hebrew "לָרֶשֶׁת" (lareshet), which means to possess or take possession of. This inheritance is not merely a legal transaction but a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and his descendants. It implies a stewardship, where the Israelites are to live according to God's laws and maintain the land as a place of righteousness and justice.

so that any manslayer
The term "manslayer" refers to someone who has killed another unintentionally. The Hebrew word "רֹצֵחַ" (rotzeach) distinguishes between premeditated murder and accidental killing. This distinction is crucial in biblical law, reflecting God's justice and mercy. The provision for the manslayer underscores the importance of intent and the need for a fair trial, ensuring that justice is tempered with compassion.

may flee to these cities
The phrase "may flee to these cities" indicates the purpose of the cities of refuge. The Hebrew verb "יָנוּס" (yanus) means to flee or escape, highlighting the urgency and necessity of protection for the manslayer. These cities were strategically located and accessible, ensuring that those in need of refuge could reach them quickly. This provision reflects God's mercy and the value He places on life, even in cases of accidental death.

and find protection
The concept of "protection" is central to the cities of refuge. The Hebrew word "וָחָי" (vachai) means to live or have life, indicating that the cities offer not just physical safety but a chance for continued life. This protection is a manifestation of God's justice, providing a safe haven where the accused can await a fair trial. It underscores the biblical principle that life is sacred and that God's justice always includes mercy.

Verse 3. - Thou shalt prepare thee a way. In the East, the roads were for the most part mere tracks made by the feet of animals used as beasts of burden or for traveling; and this continues to be the case in Palestine and many other parts of the East even at the present day. That roads, however, properly so called, were not unknown to the Hebrews, even in early times, is evident, not only from this passage, but also from Leviticus 26:22; Numbers 20:17; Numbers 21:22; Deuteronomy 2:27; 1 Samuel 6:12. The design of the injunction here was that every facility should be afforded to the fugitive to escape to the place of refuge. In later times, it was enacted that the roads leading to these cities should be repaired every year in the month Adar, and every obstruction removed.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You are to build
תָּכִ֣ין (tā·ḵîn)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

roads
הַדֶּרֶךְ֒ (had·de·reḵ)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

for yourselves
לְךָ֮ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and divide into three regions
וְשִׁלַּשְׁתָּ֙ (wə·šil·laš·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8027: To do a third time, divide into three parts

the land
אַרְצְךָ֔ (’ar·ṣə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

which
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

is giving you as an inheritance,
יַנְחִֽילְךָ֖ (yan·ḥî·lə·ḵā)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5157: To inherit, to occupy, to bequeath, distribute, instate

so that any
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

manslayer
רֹצֵֽחַ׃ (rō·ṣê·aḥ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7523: To dash in pieces, kill, to murder

can flee
לָנ֥וּס (lā·nūs)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

to these cities.
שָׁ֖מָּה (šām·māh)
Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither


Links
Deuteronomy 19:3 NIV
Deuteronomy 19:3 NLT
Deuteronomy 19:3 ESV
Deuteronomy 19:3 NASB
Deuteronomy 19:3 KJV

Deuteronomy 19:3 BibleApps.com
Deuteronomy 19:3 Biblia Paralela
Deuteronomy 19:3 Chinese Bible
Deuteronomy 19:3 French Bible
Deuteronomy 19:3 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Deuteronomy 19:3 You shall prepare you the way (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 19:2
Top of Page
Top of Page