Bible Strands
Exodus 21:13
If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — YHWH speaks to Moses, establishing legal procedure for homicide cases immediately after mandating the death penalty for intentional killing in Exodus 21:12.
The words — The Hebrew צָדָה (tza.Dah) means "he was lying in wait," confirming the absence of premeditation. The phrase אִנָּה ('i.Nah) translates literally as "he allowed to happen," attributing the fatal outcome to divine permission rather than human malice.
The thread — This directive creates the legal framework for the cities of refuge later appointed in Joshua 20:2 and Deuteronomy 4:41. It stands in direct contrast to Exodus 21:14, which commands taking a killer from the altar to execution only when he schemes against his neighbor.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to verify the absence of premeditation before applying the death penalty. It places the authority to designate sanctuary and distinguish intent on God, removing the right of personal vengeance from the community.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Joshua 20:2 “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,
- 1 Samuel 24:18 And you have declared this day how you have treated me well, for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.
- Deuteronomy 4:41 Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east
- Deuteronomy 19:1 When the LORD your God has cut off the nations whose land He is giving you, and when you have driven them out and settled in their cities and houses,
- 1 Samuel 24:4 So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
- 1 Samuel 24:10 Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’
- Numbers 35:10 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
- 2 Samuel 16:10 But the king replied, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses me because the LORD told him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why did you do this?’”
- Isaiah 10:7 But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations.
- Micah 7:2 The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net.