But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:
But if someone hates his neighbor and waits in hiding to attack him, and strikes him so hard that he dies, and then runs away to one of these cities:
This verse describes someone who commits premeditated murder and then tries to escape punishment by fleeing to a city of refuge.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses was delivering laws to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, establishing cities of refuge to protect those who accidentally caused someone's death from revenge by family members. This specific verse in Deuteronomy 19:11 addresses the scenario of intentional murder, where a person harbors hatred, plans an attack, and kills their neighbor before fleeing to one of these cities, emphasizing that such premeditated acts should not be shielded. These laws were part of a broader system to ensure fairness and justice in ancient Israelite society.
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