Matthew Poole and continuators on Deuteronomy 19

2 Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land , which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.

To wit, beyond Iordan, as there were three already appointed on this side Iordan, Numb. 35. 14. He saith, in the midst of the land, either for, in the land, as in the midst of the city, Ier. 52. 25. is the same with that, in the city; 2 King. 25. 19. or to design the places, that they should be scituated in the midst of the several parts of their land, to which they might conveniently and speedily flee from all the parts of the land.

Marginal references: Exod. 21. 13. Num. 35. 10. 11. Josh. 20. 2.

3 Thou shalt prepare thee a way , and divide the coasts of thy land (which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit) into three parts , that every slayer may flee thither.

Distinguish it by evident marks, and make it plain and convenient, to prevent mistakes and delays.

Not into more, because it was fit that these places should, as far as it was possible, be at some considerable distance from the friends of the slain person, least the sight of the manslayer might have provoked their passion and occasioned his ruine.

6 Lest the avenger of blood pursue the slayer , while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him , whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.

This verse is to be joyned with ver. 3. as is evident, the 4th. and 5th. verses, coming in as a parenthesis, which is usual, in Scripture and other authors.

Which is supposed, but not allowed, as appears from the following words. But the avenger of blood is not to be punished with death for killing the manslayer in case he found him without the borders of the city of refuge after he had been received there, Numb. 35. 26, 27. because then he was guilty of a new crime, to wit, a contempt of Gods ordinance, and a gross neglect of the duty of self-preservation, and therefore deserved death from God, who might permit it to be inflicted by the avenger of blood.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] him in [illegible: 1 word] ▪; Heb. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] ▪

8 And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast (as he hath sworn unto thy fathers) and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers:

As far as Euphrates. See Gen. 15. 18. Exod. 23. 31. Deut. 1. 7.

Marginal references: chap. 1[illegible: 1+ letters]. [illegible: 1 word]

12 Then the elders of his city shall send, and fetch him thence , and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

Either of the slain person, who were most likely to prosecute the murderer: or, of the murderer, because God would oblige even his own fellow citizens to prosecute him to death, that it might appear how hateful murder and the murderer is to God and ought to be to all men.

Demand him of the Elders of the city of refuge, who upon the hearing of the cause and the evidence of the murder were obliged to deliver the offender to justice.

14 Thou shalt not remove thy neighbours land-mark , which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit, in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.

By which the several portions of lands distributed to several families were distinguished one from another. See Iob 24. 2. Prov. 22. 28. Hos. 5. 10.

Marginal references: chap. [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 word]; Heb. [illegible: 1 word].

15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses shall the matter be established.

Or, not stand, or, not be established, accepted, owned as sufficient, it is the same word which in the end of the verse is rendred, be established.

Marginal references: N[illegible: 1+ letters]m. 35. [illegible: 1 word] chap. 17. [illegible: 1+ letters]. Mat. 18. 1[illegible: 1+ letters]. Joh. 8. 17. 2 Cor. 13. [illegible: 1+ letters]. Heb. 10. [illegible: 1 word].

16 If a false witness rise up against any man to testifie against him that which is wrong:

A single witness, though he speak truth, is not to be accepted for the condemnation of another man, but if he be convicted of false witness, this is sufficient for his own condemnation.

Marginal references: Or▪ [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word].

17 Then both the men between whom the controversie is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests, and the judges , which shall be in those dayes:

See on Deut. 17. 9, 12. and observe that the controversies both here and there referred to and to be determined by the Priests and Judges, are onely between man and man, and not doctrines of faith and manners, as the Papists for their own advantage pretend.

20 And those which remain shall hear and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.

(i. e.) The rest of the people. See Deut. 13. 11. and 17. 13.

21 And thine eye shall not pity, but life shall go for life, eye for eye , tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

What punishment he intended or the law allotted to the accused, if he had been convicted, the same shall the false accuser hear. Of this law see on Exod. 21. 24. Lev. 24. 20.

Marginal references: Exod. 21. 23. Lev. 24. 20. Mat. 5. 38.