John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. Lest the avenger of blood pursue the slayer , etc.] These words are to be connected with ( Deuteronomy 19:3), where it is ordered to prepare the way to the cities of refuge, and to divide the land into three parts, for the convenience of the slayer to flee thither, lest he that was next of kin, and incensed against the slayer, and determined to avenge what was done, should pursue after him: while his heart is hot ; by reason of the loss of his relation, upon which his passions being raised, his heart becomes inflamed with wrath and anger; which pushes him upon an eager and hasty pursuit of the slayer, before he sits down and coolly considers and deliberates on the affair: and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him ; wherefore it was proper that everything should be done to make the way to these cities as easy and as short as it could be: whereas he was not worthy of death ; had not committed an action deserving of it, it being done ignorantly and without notice, as follows: inasmuch as he hated him not in time past ; (See Gill on “ Deuteronomy 19:4”).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-13 - Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered, and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the cities of refug should be a protection, so that a man should not die for that as crime, which was not his willing act. In Christ, the Lord ou Righteousness, refuge is provided for those who by faith flee unto him But there is no refuge in Jesus Christ for presumptuous sinners, who go on still in their trespasses. Those who flee to Christ from their sins shall be safe in him, but not those who expect to be sheltered by his in their sins.
Original Hebrew פן6435 ירדף7291 גאל1350 הדם1818 אחרי310 הרצח7523 כי3588 יחם3179 לבבו3824 והשׂיגו5381 כי3588 ירבה7235 הדרך1870 והכהו5221 נפשׁ5315 ולו אין369 משׁפט4941 מות4194 כי3588 לא3808 שׂנא8130 הוא1931 לו מתמול8543 שׁלשׁום׃8032
