Chapter commentary
Deuteronomy Chapter 19
1
Deuteronomy 19:1
繁體中文
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
繁體中文
你要為自己預備道路——修築通往逃城的道路、除去一切障礙，是議會每年當盡的職責。小丘不留在路上，河流都架有橋，路寬至少三十二肘。岔路口立有標柱，寫著「逃城、逃城」，以引導逃亡者奔逃的方向。以賽亞書 40:3 及以下的意象，似乎便是借用預備逃城之路而來。
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
繁體中文
手拿斧子——按字面是「用鐵」。請注意鐵已被用於工具一事，並比較 Deuteronomy 3:11 的註釋。
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
繁體中文
這裡是為以色列的疆界預期將擴展至神所應許的極限——從埃及河直到伯拉河——而設的規定（Genesis 15:18 註釋; Exodus 23:31 註釋）。這應許因百姓的罪，直到大衛征服非利士人、亞蘭人等之後才得成就；而這成就也只是一時的，因為所羅門帝國瓦解之時，許多被征服的民族又重獲獨立。
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
繁體中文
人的性命既當視為神聖，人的生計也當如此；在這關聯之下，這裏插入了一條禁止挪移鄰舍地界的規定；比較邊註所引的參考經文。
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
繁體中文
見證他作了惡——邊註更直譯作「轉離」。這詞在申 13:5用來表示背道或反叛；此處無疑要按更廣的意義理解，即任何偏離律法的行為。
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
繁體中文
兩個爭訟的人——所指的不是被告與假見證人，而是原告與被告（比較出 23:1）；他們被傳召到按申命記 17章的規定、設於聖所的最高法庭之前。審判官作神的代表行事；向他們說謊，就是向神說謊。
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
繁體中文
見邊註所引的參考經文。
English original
See the marginal references.
本章與隨後兩章所載的法令，旨在保護人的性命，並使其神聖性深深銘刻在以色列人心中。
在 Deuteronomy 19:1-13 裡，關於修築通往逃城之路的指示、在疆域擴展時增設逃城的規定，以及長老代表會眾出面裁斷的安排，都是申命記獨有的，是對先前各卷同一主題律法的補充（比較旁註參考）。
Deuteronomy 19:1, Deuteronomy 19:2
約但河東一帶的三座逃城已經指定。摩西如今吩咐，約但河西的疆土被征服之後，也要照樣在其中分設三座城。這事後來果然照辦；可比較 Joshua 20:1 及以下。