[2] Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
In the midst of the land — Namely, beyond Jordan, as there were three already appointed on this side Jordan: In the midst of the several parts of their land, to which they might speedily flee from all the parts of the land.
Verse 3
[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.
Prepare thee a way — Distinguish it by evident marks, and make it plain and convenient, to prevent mistakes and delays.
Verse 8
[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;
Enlarge thy coast — As far as Euphrates.
Verse 9
[9] If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three:
If thou shalt keep all these commandments — But the Jewish writers themselves own, that the condition not being performed, the promise of enlarging their coast was not fulfilled, so that there was no need for three more cities of refuge. Yet the holy, blessed God, say they, did not command it in vain, for in the day's of Messiah the Prince, they shall be added. They expect it in the letter: but we know, it has in Christ its spiritual accomplishment. For the borders of the Gospel - Israel are inlarged according to the promise: and in the Lord our righteousness, refuge is provided for all that by faith fly to him.
Verse 15
[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.
Rise — Or be established, accepted, owned as sufficient: it is the same word which in the end of the verse is rendered, be established.
Verse 16
[16] If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;
A safe witness — 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.
Verse 21
[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.
Eye for eye — What punishment the law allotted to the accused, if he had been convicted, the same shall the false accuser bear.
Deuteronomy 19 Bible Commentary
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Verse 2
[2] Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
In the midst of the land — Namely, beyond Jordan, as there were three already appointed on this side Jordan: In the midst of the several parts of their land, to which they might speedily flee from all the parts of the land.
Verse 3
[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.
Prepare thee a way — Distinguish it by evident marks, and make it plain and convenient, to prevent mistakes and delays.
Verse 8
[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;
Enlarge thy coast — As far as Euphrates.
Verse 9
[9] If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three:
If thou shalt keep all these commandments — But the Jewish writers themselves own, that the condition not being performed, the promise of enlarging their coast was not fulfilled, so that there was no need for three more cities of refuge. Yet the holy, blessed God, say they, did not command it in vain, for in the day's of Messiah the Prince, they shall be added. They expect it in the letter: but we know, it has in Christ its spiritual accomplishment. For the borders of the Gospel - Israel are inlarged according to the promise: and in the Lord our righteousness, refuge is provided for all that by faith fly to him.
Verse 15
[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.
Rise — Or be established, accepted, owned as sufficient: it is the same word which in the end of the verse is rendered, be established.
Verse 16
[16] If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;
A safe witness — 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.
Verse 21
[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.
Eye for eye — What punishment the law allotted to the accused, if he had been convicted, the same shall the false accuser bear.