Deuteronomy 19:5 Meaning and Explanation
“As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The law illustrates a case of unintentional killing: when an accident with an axe claims a neighbor's life.
The Context of Deuteronomy 19:5
Concrete example: accidental death from an axe during woodcutting.
What Does Deuteronomy 19:5 Mean?
Moses provides a concrete example: two men chop wood together; the axe head flies loose and kills one of them. No malice, no warning, no conflict—merely a tragic accident. This illustration shows what 'ignorantly' means in practical terms: genuine misfortune without intent or prior hatred.
The verse emphasizes that even in a fatal accident, the killer 'shall live.' Without the refuge city, he would be killed by the victim's avengers regardless of the accident's inevitability. The law protects the innocent from what would be murder in revenge.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 19:5
What does Deuteronomy 19:5 mean?
The law illustrates a case of unintentional killing: when an accident with an axe claims a neighbor's life.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 19:5?
Concrete example: accidental death from an axe during woodcutting.