Exodus Chapter 21 verse 13 Holy Bible
And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver `him' into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
read chapter 21 in ASV
But if he had no evil purpose against him, and God gave him into his hand, I will give you a place to which he may go in flight.
read chapter 21 in BBE
But if he have not lain in wait, and God have delivered [him] into his hand, I will appoint thee a place to which he shall flee.
read chapter 21 in DARBY
And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
read chapter 21 in KJV
And if a man shall not lie in wait, but God shall deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
read chapter 21 in WBT
but not if it is unintentional, but God allows it to happen: then I will appoint you a place where he shall flee.
read chapter 21 in WEB
as to him who hath not laid wait, and God hath brought to his hand, I have even set for thee a place whither he doth flee.
read chapter 21 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 13. - God deliver him into his hand. This does not seem to mean more than, "if he chance upon him without seeking him." God' s providence does in fact bring about the meetings which men call accidental. I will appoint thee a place. When we first hear of the actual appointment, the number of the places was six - three on either side of Jordan. (See Joshua 20:7, 8; and compare Numbers 35:10-15, and Deuteronomy 19:2.) Thus there was always a city of refuge at a reasonable distance.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(13) If a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand.--If, that is, without malice aforethought, a man happen upon his enemy, God's providence bringing the two into contact without man's contrivance, and the result is that one slay the other, then the law of the refuge or asylum shall come in. A place is to be provided whither the man-slayer may flee, and where he may be safe, at any rate until the cause is inquired into. Hitherto, throughout the East, it had been regarded as the duty of the next of kin to avenge homicide of whatever kind, and blood had been exacted for blood, however sudden, however provoked, however excusable had been the homicide. No right of asylum, so far as we know, had ever been established before. The Sinaitic legislation for the first time interposed the "city of refuge," between the "avenger of blood" and his victim. It was for the elders of the city to see that the privilege was not abused. Where the case was doubtful, the man-slayer had to be remitted for trial to the elders of his own town (Numbers 35:22-25); where the elders considered his claim made out, he was entitled to protection.
