Chapter commentary
Deuteronomy Chapter 19
1
Deuteronomy 19:1
简体中文
English original
This and the next two chapters contain enactments designed to protect human life, and to impress its sanctity on Israel.
In Deuteronomy 19:1-13 the directions respecting the preparation of the roads to the cities of refuge, the provision of additional cities in case of an extension of territory, and the intervention of the elders as representing the congregation, are unique to Deuteronomy and supplementary to the laws on the same subject given in the earlier books (compare the marginal reference).
Deuteronomy 19:1, Deuteronomy 19:2
The three cities of refuge for the district east of Jordan had been already named. Moses now directs that when the territory on the west of Jordan had been conquered, a like allotment of three other cities in it should be made. This was accordingly done; compare Joshua 20:1 ff,
3
Deuteronomy 19:3
简体中文
又要预备道路 - 修葺通往逃城的道路并清除一切障碍，是长老议会的年度职责。土丘不得存留，河上必有桥梁；路宽至少三十二肘。岔路口立有标柱，上书“逃城、逃城”字样，为逃亡者指引逃奔之路。Isaiah 40:3 及以下经文的意象，似乎便是借用了预备通往逃城之道路的图景。
English original
Thou shalt prepare thee a way - It was the duty of the Senate to repair the roads that led to the cities of refuge annually, and remove every obstruction. No hillock was left, no river over which there was not a bridge; and the road was at least 32 cubits broad. At cross-roads there were posts bearing the words Refuge, Refuge, to guide the fugitive in his flight. It seems as if in Isaiah 40:3 ff the imagery were borrowed from the preparation of the ways to the cities of refuge.
5
Deuteronomy 19:5
简体中文
手拿斧子一砍 - 字面意思是“用铁”。请注意铁被用作工具这一点，并参较 Deuteronomy 3:11 注释。
English original
With the axe - literally, "with the iron." Note the employment of iron for tools, and compare Deuteronomy 3:11 note.
8
Deuteronomy 19:8
简体中文
这里所作的规定，是预期以色列的疆界将扩展到神所应许的最大限度——从埃及河直到幼发拉底河（Genesis 15:18 注释；Exodus 23:31 注释）。由于百姓的罪，这应许直到大卫征服非利士人、叙利亚人等之后才得以成全；而且那也只是短暂的成全，因为在所罗门帝国解体之际，许多被征服的民族又重新获得了独立。
English original
Provision is here made for the anticipated enlargement of the borders of Israel to the utmost limits promised by God, from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates (Genesis 15:18, note; Exodus 23:31, note). This promise, owing to the sins of the people, did not receive its fulfillment until after David had conquered the Philistines, Syrians, etc.; and this but a transient one, for many of the conquered peoples regained independence on the dissolution of Solomon's empire.
14
Deuteronomy 19:14
简体中文
正如人的生命当被视为神圣，他的生计之资也当如此；在这一关联之下，插入了一条禁止挪移邻舍地界的禁令：参看旁注参考。
English original
As a man's life is to be held sacred, so are his means of livelihood; and in this connection a prohibition is inserted against removing a neighbor's landmark: compare the marginal references.
16
Deuteronomy 19:16
简体中文
见证他作恶 - 边注作“背离”，更为直译。这个词在 Deuteronomy 13:5 中用来表示背道或叛离；在这里无疑要按更广的意义理解，指任何偏离律法的行为。
English original
Testify against him that which is wrong - Margin, more literally, "a falling away." The word is used Deuteronomy 13:5 to signify apostasy or revolt; here it is no doubt to be understood in the wider sense of any departure from the Law.
17
Deuteronomy 19:17
简体中文
两个争讼的人 - 不是指被告与假见证人，而是指原告与被告（参较 Exodus 23:1）；他们被传到最高法庭面前——这法庭按 Deuteronomy 17 的规定设于圣所。审判官们作为神的代表行事；向他们说谎，就是向神说谎。
English original
Both the men, between whom the controversy is - Not the accused and the false witness, but the plaintiff and defendant (compare Exodus 23:1) who were summoned before the supreme court held, as provided in Deuteronomy 17, at the sanctuary. The judges acted as God's representative; to lie to them was to lie to Him.
19
Deuteronomy 19:19
简体中文
见旁注参考经文。
English original
See the marginal references.
本章与接下来两章包含旨在保护人的性命、并使其神圣性深印于以色列的法令。
在 Deuteronomy 19:1-13 中，关于修筑通往逃城之道路的指示、在疆域扩展时增设逃城的规定、以及以长老代表会众的介入，都是申命记独有的内容，是对前书同一主题律法的补充（参页边注）。
Deuteronomy 19:1、19:2
约旦河东一带的三座逃城已经指定。摩西现在指示，当约旦河西的疆域被征服之后，也当在其中同样分出另外三座城。这事后来照着行了；参 Joshua 20:1 及以下。