Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 19:3
You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The speaker commands the Israelites to organize the territory God is giving them as an inheritance, following the prior instruction to set apart three cities.
The words — תָּכִ֣ין (ta.Khin) means "you will establish," and וְ/שִׁלַּשְׁתָּ֙ (ve./shi.lash.Ta) means "and you will divide into three," directing the physical preparation of the land.
The thread — The motif of preparing a way recurs in Isaiah 57:14, Isaiah 62:10, and Isaiah 35:8, where the latter declares a future highway called the Way of Holiness rather than issuing a command.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to recognize that physical infrastructure serves a specific legal function, ensuring safe passage for those who have committed accidental homicide.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 57:14 And it will be said, “Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, take every obstacle out of the way of My people.”
- Isaiah 35:8 And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it—only those who walk in the Way—and fools will not stray onto it.
- Isaiah 62:10 Go out, go out through the gates; prepare the way for the people! Build it up, build up the highway; clear away the stones; raise a banner for the nations!
- Hebrews 12:13 Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.