Deuteronomy 19:5
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The scenario of the axe head slipping from the handle highlights that God’s justice considers the unintentional nature of an accident, not just the tragic outcome. This isn’t about blame; it’s about providing safety for those caught in devastating circumstances beyond their control.
as when someone goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down a tree, and the head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies—he may flee to one of these cities and live,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage provides a specific example within the broader laws for establishing cities of refuge. Following instructions on how to divide the land and set up these cities, Moses elaborates on who qualifies for refuge. The verse illustrates a scenario of accidental death, contrasting it with intentional murder, to clarify when someone can flee for safety and when they are still liable.
Life is fragile, and accidents happen. But when death occurs, how do we distinguish between a tragic mishap and a crime?
This passage paints a vivid picture of a common accident: an axe head flying off its handle. It's a stark reminder that even in everyday tasks, danger lurks. The key here is the unintentional nature of the death.
Not a Crime, But a Tragedy
This isn't about excusing carelessness, but about understanding that not all deaths are murder. The law here makes room for this tragic reality.
Why did God establish these special cities? It wasn't just about hiding, but about a specific kind of justice and mercy.
The cities of refuge weren't loopholes for murderers. They were a vital part of God's justice system, designed to protect the innocent and uphold the sanctity of life.
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A Sanctuary for the Unintentional
This passage parallels the idea of accidental death by striking, establishing that even unintentional killing warrants consequences but also protection, much like the accidental axe slip in Deuteronomy.
Numbers 35:10-15This section further details the cities of refuge, reinforcing the concept of providing a safe haven for those who have unintentionally caused a death, explaining the purpose behind the laws in Deuteronomy.
Joshua 20:1-6This passage describes the practical establishment and function of the cities of refuge, showing how the principles laid out in Deuteronomy were implemented to protect the unintentional manslayer.
1 Samuel 26:8-12David spares Saul's life when he had a clear opportunity to kill him, demonstrating a principle of not striking down a ruler, which touches on the intentionality behind causing harm, contrasting with the unintentional harm in Deuteronomy.
Hebrews 6:18This verse speaks of fleeing for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us, drawing a parallel between the physical flight to cities of refuge and the spiritual refuge found in Christ from spiritual danger.
pooleDeuteronomy 19:5: "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:"
No text from Poole on this verse.
calvinDeuteronomy 19:1-13: "When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses;"
As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbor 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 neighbor, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:
Quicunque abierit cum proximo suo in si…
The scenario of the axe head slipping from the handle highlights that God’s justice considers the unintentional nature of an accident, not just the tragic outcome. This isn’t about blame; it’s about providing safety for those caught in devastating circumstances beyond their control.
This passage provides a specific example within the broader laws for establishing cities of refuge. Following instructions on how to divide the land and set up these cities, Moses elaborates on who qualifies for refuge. The verse illustrates a scenario of accidental death, contrasting it with intentional murder, to clarify when someone can flee for safety and when they are still liable.
This passage provides a specific example within the broader laws for establishing cities of refuge. Following instructions on how to divide the land and set up these cities, Moses elaborates on who qualifies for refuge. The verse illustrates a scenario of accidental death, contrasting it with intentional murder, to clarify when someone can flee for safety and when they are still liable.
"as when someone goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down a tree, and the head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies—he may flee to one of these cities and live," — The scenario of the axe head slipping from the handle highlights that God’s justice considers the unintentional nature of an accident, not just the tragic outcome. This isn’t about blame; it’s about…
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Last reviewed October 2026
