Deuteronomy 19

Deuteronomy 19:1

THeir cities] On the other side Jordan: for on the one side there were three appointed before, Chap. 4. 5: 41. See Numbers 35:14.

Deuteronomy 19:2

in the midst] That is, within the land, (though not precisely in the midst) so that from all parts there may be convenient recourse to some of them. The three Cities were to be of equall distance one from another, and as it is probably conceived, the distance was triangular thus, like the Capital Greek letter delta Δ.

Deuteronomy 19:3

prepare thee a way] For commodious passage unto them; which some thinke was paved, and had markes of direction, that they which fled towards them might not misse their way, nor be hindered, if there were need to make an hastie flight from the pursuit.

every slayer] Which kild against his will, and bare no hatred in his heart before.

Deuteronomy 19:4

ignorantly] At unawares, or unwillingly. See Numbers 35.

Deuteronomy 19:5

and live] That murder be not committed upon murder, by slaying of him in wrathfull revenge who slew another against his will.

Deuteronomy 19:7

for thee] He speaketh to the people as to one man, or to Moses, as in their names, and for their use.

Deuteronomy 19:8

enlarge thy coast] When thou goest over Jordan, and art possessed of the whole Land of Canaan.

to give unto thy fathers] Which he promised to thy fathers to give thee, as to Abraham, Genesis 15:7. to Isaac, Genesis 26:3. and to Jacob, Genesis 28:13.

Deuteronomy 19:9

If thou keepe] The promise of the Land of Canaan was but conditionall, and therefore if the people did not their part, their failing of possession was not Gods, but their owne fault.

shalt thou adde] In thy enlarged portion, vers. 8. which if it be without the Land of Canaan, the Cities of refuge shall be there: but we read not of those three Cities more added to the former sixe, for the enlargement of the dominion of the Israelites in the time of David and Solomon was not so much in actuall possession, as a tributary dominion: in which case, (if it were none otherwise) the Cities of refuge were of no use to the people of the Jews: nor was this therefore an idle ordinance; for if the people had kept covenant with God, he had enlarged their borders, not onely by conditionall subjection by tribute, but by actuall possession.

Deuteronomy 19:11

if any man hate &c.] Numbers 35:20,21, &c.

Deuteronomy 19:12

of his citie] Not where the man-slayer hath taken Sanctuary for safetie, but where the slaine man dwelt.

Deuteronomy 19:13

put away guilt] See Annot. on Chap. 17. 7.

Deuteronomy 19:14

land-marke] See Annot. on Chap. 27. 17. Proverbs 22:28. Hosea 5:10.

Deuteronomy 19:15

at the mouth] An Enallage of number: that is, of mouth for mouthes: Or, though severall witnesses, they must agree as if they had but one mouth.

Deuteronomy 19:17

before the Lord] Gods presence is where his Ministers are assembled to doe according to his commandements.