Deuteronomy 19:5 - as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to chop wood and his hand swings the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle and hits his neighbor so that he dies, he shall flee to one of these cities and live.
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What does "Deuteronomy 19:5" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 19:5 describes a scenario of involuntary manslaughter. It lays out a legal provision within the ancient Israelite legal code. Let's break it down:
"as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to chop wood...": This establishes a common, ordinary activity. Both men are engaged in a shared, presumably harmless task.
"...and his hand swings the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle...": This is the critical part. It depicts an accident. The ax head becoming detached is not intentional, but rather a result of an unforeseen mechanical failure.
"...and hits his neighbor so that he dies...": This is the tragic consequence of the accident – the neighbor is killed.
"...he shall flee to one of these cities and live.": This provides a remedy in the situation. The man who caused the death unintentionally can flee to a designated "city of refuge" and find sanctuary there.
Meaning & Significance:
Distinction between Intentional and Unintentional Killing: The core principle is differentiating between murder (intentional killing) and manslaughter (accidental killing). This verse deals specifically with the latter.
Justice and Protection: The provision of a city of refuge reflects a balance between the need for justice and the protection of individuals who acted without malice. The man who caused the death needs to be protected from blood vengeance by the victim's family, who might seek retribution regardless of intent.
Fairness: Allows the person to live in a safe space.
Community Responsibility: The community has a responsibility to determine the facts of the case and to provide a safe haven for the unintentional killer.
In essence, Deuteronomy 19:5 is a legal provision establishing a concept of accidental death and providing a mechanism for justice and protection in such cases. It highlights the importance of intent in determining guilt and punishment within the ancient Israelite legal system.
Deuteronomy 19:5 - as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to chop wood and his hand swings the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle and hits his neighbor so that he dies, he shall flee to one of these cities and live.
What does "Deuteronomy 19:5" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 19:5 describes a scenario of involuntary manslaughter. It lays out a legal provision within the ancient Israelite legal code. Let's break it down:
"as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to chop wood...": This establishes a common, ordinary activity. Both men are engaged in a shared, presumably harmless task.
"...and his hand swings the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle...": This is the critical part. It depicts an accident. The ax head becoming detached is not intentional, but rather a result of an unforeseen mechanical failure.
"...and hits his neighbor so that he dies...": This is the tragic consequence of the accident – the neighbor is killed.
"...he shall flee to one of these cities and live.": This provides a remedy in the situation. The man who caused the death unintentionally can flee to a designated "city of refuge" and find sanctuary there.
Meaning & Significance:
Distinction between Intentional and Unintentional Killing: The core principle is differentiating between murder (intentional killing) and manslaughter (accidental killing). This verse deals specifically with the latter.
Justice and Protection: The provision of a city of refuge reflects a balance between the need for justice and the protection of individuals who acted without malice. The man who caused the death needs to be protected from blood vengeance by the victim's family, who might seek retribution regardless of intent.
Fairness: Allows the person to live in a safe space.
Community Responsibility: The community has a responsibility to determine the facts of the case and to provide a safe haven for the unintentional killer.
In essence, Deuteronomy 19:5 is a legal provision establishing a concept of accidental death and providing a mechanism for justice and protection in such cases. It highlights the importance of intent in determining guilt and punishment within the ancient Israelite legal system.