1
כִּֽי יַכְרִ֞ית יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ אֶת הַגּוֹיִ֔ם אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ אֶת אַרְצָ֑ם וִֽירִשְׁתָּ֕ם וְיָשַׁבְתָּ֥ בְעָרֵיהֶ֖ם וּבְבָתֵּיהֶֽם
When YHWH your God cuts off the nations whose land YHWH your God is giving you, and you dispossess them and dwell in their cities and in their houses,
The chapter opens with a subordinate protasis anticipating the conquest and settlement of the land; its apodosis (v. 2, תַּבְדִּיל) delivers the actual command to set apart cities of refuge, so the whole institution is grounded in the still-future gift of the land.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (temporal, opens the chapter's protasis)כִּי (H3588), multivalent conjunction 'when, because, that, for'; here temporal, introducing the protasis anticipating the conquest.
יַכְרִ֞יתcuts offHiphil impf 3ms · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb of the temporal protasis→ Yiqtol: imperfective, the anticipated future act of dispossessionכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut off, destroy'; Hiphil causative here, 'to cut off/exterminate' the nations before Israel's advance.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יַכְרִיתיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָה (subject)אֱלֹהִים (H430) construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God'; the standard Deuteronomic collocation יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of יַכְרִית)אֵת (H853), untranslated marker of the definite direct object הַגּוֹיִם.
הַגּוֹיִ֔םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Direct object of יַכְרִיתגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; with article, the Canaanite nations occupying the land.
אֲשֶׁר֙whoserelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הַגּוֹיִם (whose land YHWH gives)אֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle; the antecedent's land is resumed below as אַרְצָם.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵן (within the relative clause)יְהוָה (H3068), repeated for solemnity within the relative clause.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
נֹתֵ֥ןis givingQal ptc ms abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle of the relative clause (progressive)→ Participle: durative/progressive, the ongoing divine gift in progressנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the Qal participle casts the gift of the land as an ongoing process rather than a completed past act.
לְךָ֖to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ dative preposition + 2ms suffix, marking the recipient of the gift.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of נֹתֵן)אֵת (H853), marks אַרְצָם as the definite object of נֹתֵן.
אַרְצָ֑םtheir landN c sg constr + 3mp suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of נֹתֵןאֶרֶץ (H776) construct + 3mp suffix, 'their land', resuming הַגּוֹיִם.
וִֽירִשְׁתָּ֕םand you dispossess themconj וְ + Qal perf 2ms + 3mp suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Weqatal opening the apodosis (main line resumes)→ Weqatal: converted perfect, sequential future — 'and you shall dispossess them'יָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to take possession of, dispossess'; the 3mp suffix refers to the displaced nations.
וְיָשַׁבְתָּ֥and you dwellconj וְ + Qal perf 2ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Weqatal continuing the apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential future, the settlement consequent on dispossessionיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, settle'.
בְעָרֵיהֶ֖םin their citiesprep בְּ + N f pl constr + 3mp suffix · עִיר (H5892)Locative complement of וְיָשַׁבְתָּעִיר (H5892) 'city', plural construct + 3mp suffix; the built environment left by the dispossessed nations.
וּבְבָתֵּיהֶֽםand in their housesconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m pl constr + 3mp suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Coordinated locative complement of וְיָשַׁבְתָּבַּיִת (H1004) 'house', plural construct + 3mp suffix; paired with עָרִים for the whole built inheritance.
2
שָׁל֥וֹשׁ עָרִ֖ים תַּבְדִּ֣יל לָ֑ךְ בְּת֣וֹךְ אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ
you shall set apart three cities for yourself in the midst of your land, which YHWH your God is giving you to possess.
The main-line command finally arrives: תַּבְדִּיל delivers the institution's core requirement, three cities set apart within the land itself (contrast the three Transjordan cities already assigned in 4:41-43).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
שָׁל֥וֹשׁthreenumeral · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Numeral modifying עָרִים (fronted for emphasis)שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; fronted before its noun for emphasis, the fixed number of cities.
עָרִ֖יםcitiesN f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of תַּבְדִּילעִיר (H5892) 'city', plural; the cities of refuge to be designated.
תַּבְדִּ֣ילyou shall set apartHiphil impf 2ms · בָּדַל (H914)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis of v. 1)→ Yiqtol with imperatival force: a binding future obligationבָּדַל (H914) 'to separate, set apart'; Hiphil, the technical term for designating the cities of refuge (cf. Num 35:14).
לָ֑ךְfor yourselfprep לְ + 2fs suffix · לְEthical/dative complement reinforcing the addressee's responsibilityלְ + 2fs suffix; Deuteronomy alternates 2ms/2fs pronominal suffixes for the same (masculine) addressee, a stylistic feature scholars debate source-critically — no differentiated referent is intended here.
בְּת֣וֹךְin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phrase modifying תַּבְדִּילתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; 'in the midst of your land' — the cities lie within Israel's own territory proper, unlike the Transjordan cities of 4:41-43.
אַרְצְךָ֔your landN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of תָּוֶךְ (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776) + 2ms suffix, 'your land'.
אֲשֶׁר֙whichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying אַרְצְךָאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle introducing the clause identifying the land as YHWH's gift.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
נֹתֵ֥ןis givingQal ptc ms abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle of the relative clause→ Participle: durative/progressive, the ongoing gift in progressנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'.
לְךָ֖to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ + 2ms suffix, dative of recipient.
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּto possess itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Infinitival purpose clause modifying נֹתֵן ('giving...to possess')→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result, the intended outcome of the giftיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, take possession of'; the 3fs suffix refers back to אֶרֶץ/אַרְצְךָ ('land', grammatically feminine).
3
תָּכִ֣ין לְךָ֮ הַדֶּרֶךְ֒ וְשִׁלַּשְׁתָּ֙ אֶת גְּב֣וּל אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַנְחִֽילְךָ֖ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ וְהָיָ֕ה לָנ֥וּס שָׁ֖מָּה כָּל רֹצֵֽחַ
You shall prepare the way for yourself, and divide into three the territory of your land that YHWH your God causes you to inherit, and it shall be for every manslayer to flee there.
Two further weqatal commands (תָּכִין, וְשִׁלַּשְׁתָּ) elaborate v. 2's command with practical logistics — road maintenance and territorial thirds — before the purpose clause וְהָיָה לָנוּס שָׁמָּה כָּל רֹצֵחַ states the institution's rationale.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
תָּכִ֣יןyou shall prepareHiphil impf 2ms · כּוּן (H3559)Predicate verb (main clause, continues v. 2's command)→ Yiqtol with imperatival force: an ongoing obligationכּוּן (H3559) 'to be firm, prepare, establish'; Hiphil 'to prepare/make ready' — maintaining the road so the fleeing manslayer meets no obstacle.
לְךָ֮for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְEthical dative reinforcing the commandלְ + 2ms suffix, dative of interest.
הַדֶּרֶךְ֒the wayart + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Object of תָּכִיןדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; the road(s) leading to the cities of refuge, to be kept clear and passable.
וְשִׁלַּשְׁתָּ֙and you shall divide into threeconj וְ + Piel perf 2ms · שָׁלַשׁ (H8027)Weqatal continuing the main line→ Weqatal: sequential future, a second logistical commandשָׁלַשׁ (H8027) 'to divide into three'; denominative from שָׁלוֹשׁ ('three'); Piel, 'you shall divide (the territory) into thirds' so each region has ready access to a city.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of וְשִׁלַּשְׁתָּ)אֵת (H853), marks גְּבוּל אַרְצְךָ as the definite object.
גְּב֣וּלthe territory ofN m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Direct object of וְשִׁלַּשְׁתָּ (construct head)גְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, territory'; construct, 'the border/territory of your land' — the whole land mass to be divided into thirds.
אַרְצְךָ֔your landN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of גְּבוּלאֶרֶץ (H776) + 2ms suffix, 'your land'.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying אַרְצְךָאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle introducing the clause naming YHWH as the one who grants the inheritance.
יַנְחִֽילְךָ֖causes you to inheritHiphil impf 3ms + 2ms suffix · נָחַל (H5157)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: imperfective, YHWH's ongoing action of granting the inheritanceנָחַל (H5157) 'to inherit, take possession'; Hiphil causative, 'to cause to inherit/allot as an inheritance'.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יַנְחִילְךָיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix.
וְהָיָ֕הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal introducing a purpose/result clause→ Weqatal: sequential future, introducing the purpose of the preceding provisionsהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the impersonal 'and it shall be (the case) that...' formula introducing purpose.
לָנ֥וּסto fleeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נוּס (H5127)Infinitival complement of וְהָיָה (purpose)→ Infinitive construct: purpose, the goal the cities exist to serveנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; the operative verb of the whole institution.
שָׁ֖מָּהthereadverb + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbial complement of לָנוּסשָׁם (H8033) 'there', with directional heh 'to there, thither'; points toward the cities just designated.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing רֹצֵחַ ('every manslayer')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, whole'; construct before רֹצֵחַ, universalizing the provision to any qualifying manslayer.
רֹצֵֽחַmanslayerQal ptc ms abs · רָצַח (H7523)Substantival participle, complement of כָּל (subject of the לָנוּס clause)→ Participle: substantival, 'one who kills/a manslayer' — names the class of person the institution protectsרָצַח (H7523) 'to kill, slay'; the Qal participle used substantivally throughout the chapter for 'the manslayer', without prejudging intent (contrast the premeditated murderer of vv. 11-13).
4
וְזֶה֙ דְּבַ֣ר הָרֹצֵ֔חַ אֲשֶׁר יָנ֥וּס שָׁ֖מָּה וָחָ֑י אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַכֶּ֤ה אֶת רֵעֵ֨הוּ֙ בִּבְלִי דַ֔עַת וְה֛וּא לֹא שֹׂנֵ֥א ל֖וֹ מִתְּמֹ֥ל שִׁלְשֹֽׁם
Now this is the case of the manslayer who flees there and lives: whoever strikes his neighbor unintentionally, without having hated him in time past —
וְזֶה דְּבַר הָרֹצֵחַ is a classic casuistic-law heading formula (cf. 15:2; Exod 21:1) opening the extended illustrative case of vv. 4-6 that defines who qualifies for asylum.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְזֶה֙and thisconj וְ + demonstrative pron · זֶה (H2088)Subject/predicate of the verbless heading clauseזֶה (H2088) 'this'; demonstrative pronoun opening the casuistic heading formula וְזֶה דְּבַר... (cf. 15:2).
דְּבַ֣רthe case ofN m sg constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Predicate noun (construct head of the heading clause)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, case'; construct, 'the case/matter of the manslayer' — a technical legal heading.
הָרֹצֵ֔חַthe manslayerart + Qal ptc ms abs · רָצַח (H7523)Genitive complement of דְּבַר (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival, names the defined legal category being specifiedרָצַח (H7523) 'to kill'; the articular Qal participle 'the manslayer', the recurring technical subject of this whole unit.
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָרֹצֵחַאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; introduces the definition 'who flees there and lives'.
יָנ֥וּסfleesQal impf 3ms · נוּס (H5127)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: modal/potential, 'may flee' — the legally sanctioned possibilityנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'.
שָׁ֖מָּהthereadverb + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbial complement of יָנוּסשָׁם (H8033) with directional heh, 'to there'.
וָחָ֑יand livesconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · חָיָה (H2425)Weqatal coordinated with יָנוּס, completing the definition→ Weqatal: consequent result, 'and (so) lives' — the guaranteed outcome for the qualifying manslayerחָיָה (H2425) 'to live'; the positive counterpart to death by the redeemer, the legal protection asylum secures.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhoeverrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun opening the operative definition (further specifies הָרֹצֵחַ)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle introducing the definition: 'whoever strikes his neighbor...'.
יַכֶּ֤הstrikesHiphil impf 3ms · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: general/gnomic, describing the type-case rather than one eventנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike, smite'; Hiphil, the standard verb for a fatal blow throughout this chapter.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of יַכֶּה)אֵת (H853), marks רֵעֵהוּ as the definite object.
רֵעֵ֨הוּ֙his neighborN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Direct object of יַכֶּהרֵעַ (H7453) 'friend, companion, neighbor' + 3ms suffix; the victim is a fellow member of the covenant community.
בִּבְלִיwithoutprep בְּ + N m sg constr · בְּלִי (H1097)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying יַכֶּה (manner)בְּלִי (H1097) 'without, lack of'; construct before דַעַת, forming the idiom בִּבְלִי־דַעַת 'without knowledge/unintentionally', the chapter's technical term for accidental homicide.
דַ֔עַתknowledgeN f sg abs · דַּעַת (H1847)Genitive complement of בִּבְלִידַּעַת (H1847) 'knowledge'; here 'lack of knowledge/intent' = unintentionally, the legal criterion distinguishing this manslayer from a murderer.
וְה֛וּאand heconj וְ + personal pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the circumstantial clause (fronted for emphasis)הוּא (H1931) 3ms personal pronoun, fronted for emphasis/contrast: 'and as for HIM, he did not hate...'.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates שֹׂנֵאלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle.
שֹׂנֵ֥אhatingQal ptc ms abs · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Predicate participle of the circumstantial clause→ Participle: stative/durative, an ongoing prior disposition (here negated), the decisive criterion for asylumשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; the participle names the settled disposition of enmity whose ABSENCE certifies the killing as accidental — the chapter's key diagnostic term, contrasted with the deliberate 'hater' of v. 11.
ל֖וֹhimprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְObject complement of שֹׂנֵאלְ + 3ms suffix, object of שֹׂנֵא ('hating toward him').
מִתְּמֹ֥לsince yesterdayprep מִן + adverb · תְּמוֹל (H8543)Temporal adverbial phrase paired with שִׁלְשֹׁםתְּמוֹל (H8543) 'yesterday'; with מִן, 'from yesterday' — paired with שִׁלְשֹׁם in the idiom מִתְּמוֹל שִׁלְשֹׁם 'heretofore, in time past'.
שִׁלְשֹֽׁםpreviouslyN m sg abs (adverbial) · שִׁלְשׁוֹם (H8032)Adverbial accusative completing the idiom מִתְּמוֹל שִׁלְשֹׁםשִׁלְשׁוֹם (H8032) 'day before yesterday'; paired with תְּמוֹל in the idiom 'heretofore, previously' — establishing there was no prior history of enmity between the two men.
5
וַאֲשֶׁר֩ יָבֹ֨א אֶת רֵעֵ֥הוּ בַיַּעַר֮ לַחְטֹ֣ב עֵצִים֒ וְנִדְּחָ֨ה יָד֤וֹ בַגַּרְזֶן֙ לִכְרֹ֣ת הָעֵ֔ץ וְנָשַׁ֤ל הַבַּרְזֶל֙ מִן הָעֵ֔ץ וּמָצָ֥א אֶת רֵעֵ֖הוּ וָמֵ֑ת ה֗וּא יָנ֛וּס אֶל אַחַ֥ת הֶעָרִים הָאֵ֖לֶּה וָחָֽי
as when a man goes with his neighbor into the forest to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down the tree, and the iron slips from the wood and finds his neighbor, and he dies — he may flee to one of these cities and live;
The vivid narrative-style illustration (woodcutting, the flying axe-head) makes v. 4's abstract 'without hating him' concrete and verifiable; the string of weqatal verbs (וְנִדְּחָה, וְנָשַׁל, וּמָצָא, וָמֵת) unspools the accident in sequence before the main clause הוּא יָנוּס resumes.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
וַאֲשֶׁר֩and as whenconj וְ + relative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun opening the illustrative example (continues the case begun in v. 4)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; here functioning almost like 'as when', introducing the vivid narrative illustration.
יָבֹ֨אgoesQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: general/gnomic, the recurring type-sceneבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go, enter'; here 'goes (with his neighbor)'.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת/אֶת (H854)Comitative preposition ('with')אֵת/אֶת (H854) 'with, together with' — a preposition distinct from the homographic direct-object marker (H853); marks companionship, not the object.
רֵעֵ֥הוּhis neighborN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Object of the comitative preposition אֶתרֵעַ (H7453) + 3ms suffix, 'his neighbor', the companion in the woodcutting expedition.
בַיַּעַר֮into the forestprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יַעַר (H3293)Locative complement of יָבֹאיַעַר (H3293) 'forest, wood'; the wooded setting essential to the accident that follows.
לַחְטֹ֣בto cutprep לְ + Qal inf constr · חָטַב (H2404)Infinitival purpose clause modifying יָבֹא→ Infinitive construct: purpose, the stated reason for entering the forestחָטַב (H2404) 'to cut, gather (wood)'; the mundane, blameless activity that sets the accident in motion.
עֵצִים֒woodN m pl abs · עֵץ (H6086)Object of לַחְטֹבעֵץ (H6086) 'tree, wood'; plural, 'trees/wood(pieces)' as fuel or timber to be gathered.
וְנִדְּחָ֨הand swingsconj וְ + Niphal perf 3fs · נָדַח (H5080)Weqatal advancing the narrative (subject: יָדוֹ, 'his hand')→ Weqatal: narrative sequence, the pivotal action that precipitates the accidentנָדַח (H5080) 'to be thrust, driven, impelled'; Niphal, of the hand swinging/being driven forward with the axe-stroke.
יָד֤וֹhis handN c sg constr + 3ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Subject of וְנִדְּחָהיָד (H3027) 'hand' + 3ms suffix; the subject of the swinging motion that dislodges the axe-head.
בַגַּרְזֶן֙with the axeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · גַּרְזֶן (H1631)Instrumental prepositional phrase modifying וְנִדְּחָהגַּרְזֶן (H1631) 'axe'; a rare word (elsewhere only 1 Kgs 6:7), the tool whose loosened head becomes the fatal projectile.
לִכְרֹ֣תto cut downprep לְ + Qal inf constr · כָּרַת (H3772)Infinitival purpose clause modifying the hand's swing→ Infinitive construct: purpose, the intended action of the axe-strokeכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut, cut down' (same root as יַכְרִית in v. 1, of nations; here literal, of felling a tree).
הָעֵ֔ץthe treeart + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Object of לִכְרֹתעֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; the target of the axe-stroke, singular here (contrast the plural עֵצִים 'wood' earlier in the verse).
וְנָשַׁ֤לand slipsconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · נָשַׁל (H5394)Weqatal advancing the narrative — the accident proper→ Weqatal: narrative sequence, the decisive unforeseen eventנָשַׁל (H5394) 'to slip off, drop off'; rare verb (elsewhere Deut 7:1, 22, of driving out nations); here literally the axe-head flying off the handle — the accident's physical mechanism.
הַבַּרְזֶל֙the ironart + N m sg abs · בַּרְזֶל (H1270)Subject of וְנָשַׁלבַּרְזֶל (H1270) 'iron'; metonymy for the axe-head/blade, the object that flies loose.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Preposition marking source, complement of וְנָשַׁלמִן (H4480) 'from'; marks separation — the iron slipping FROM the handle/wood.
הָעֵ֔ץthe woodart + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Object of the preposition מִןעֵץ (H6086) here denotes the wooden handle/shaft of the axe — a wordplay: the very wood being cut becomes, via its handle, the instrument of death.
וּמָצָ֥אand findsconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Weqatal advancing the narrative to its fatal outcome→ Weqatal: narrative sequence, the accidental impactמָצָא (H4672) 'to find, meet, encounter'; here of the flying axe-head 'finding'/striking the companion — an idiom for an unintended, chance encounter.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of וּמָצָא)אֵת (H853), marks רֵעֵהוּ as the definite object — distinct here from the comitative preposition of identical spelling earlier in the verse (H854).
רֵעֵ֖הוּhis neighborN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Direct object of וּמָצָארֵעַ (H7453) + 3ms suffix, the same companion named at the verse's start, now the accident's victim.
וָמֵ֑תand he diesconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Weqatal closing the narrative sequence→ Weqatal: narrative sequence, the tragic resultמוּת (H4191) 'to die'.
ה֗וּאhepersonal pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of יָנוּס (fronted, resuming the manslayer)הוּא (H1931), fronted pronoun resuming the manslayer as subject of the main clause's resolution.
יָנ֛וּסmay fleeQal impf 3ms · נוּס (H5127)Predicate verb (main clause resuming after the long protasis)→ Yiqtol: modal/permissive, the legally granted rightנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; the main clause's predicate, granting asylum to this qualifying manslayer.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Preposition marking goal, complement of יָנוּסאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the destination of flight.
אַחַ֥תonenumeral f sg · אַחַת (H259)Governs הֶעָרִים (partitive, 'one of')אַחַת (H259) 'one' (fem., agreeing with עִיר); partitive, 'one of these cities'.
הֶעָרִיםthe citiesart + N f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of אַחַת (partitive)עִיר (H5892), plural with article, referring back to the three cities of vv. 2-3.
הָאֵ֖לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive modifier of הֶעָרִיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; demonstrative agreeing with הֶעָרִים.
וָחָֽיand liveconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · חָיָה (H2425)Weqatal closing the sentence, coordinated with יָנוּס→ Weqatal: consequent result, the guaranteed protectionחָיָה (H2425) 'to live'; echoes v. 4's definition, closing the illustrative case with the same positive outcome.
6
פֶּן יִרְדֹּף֩ גֹּאֵ֨ל הַדָּ֜ם אַחֲרֵ֣י הָרֹצֵ֗חַ כִּי יֵחַם֮ לְבָבוֹ֒ וְהִשִּׂיג֛וֹ כִּֽי יִרְבֶּ֥ה הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ וְהִכָּ֣הוּ נָ֑פֶשׁ וְלוֹ֙ אֵ֣ין מִשְׁפַּט מָ֔וֶת כִּ֠י לֹ֣א שֹׂנֵ֥א ה֛וּא ל֖וֹ מִתְּמ֥וֹל שִׁלְשֽׁוֹם
lest the redeemer of blood pursue the manslayer while his heart is hot, and overtake him because the way is long, and strike him fatally, though he did not deserve death, since he had not hated him in time past.
פֶּן ('lest') introduces the danger the whole institution guards against: the גֹּאֵל הַדָּם acting on hot-blooded impulse rather than judicial process; the closing כִּי לֹא שֹׂנֵא הוּא לוֹ restates v. 4's criterion, framing this manslayer's death as a miscarriage of justice, not deserved vengeance.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Subordinating conjunction introducing a negative purpose/fear clauseפֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; introduces the feared consequence the law is designed to prevent.
יִרְדֹּף֩pursueQal impf 3ms · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate verb of the פֶּן clause→ Yiqtol: modal, the feared potential actionרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue, chase'; the blood-avenger's characteristic action, here the danger to be forestalled.
גֹּאֵ֨לredeemer ofQal ptc ms constr · גָּאַל (H1350)Subject of יִרְדֹּף (substantival participle, construct)→ Participle: substantival, names the legally-defined kinsman-avenger roleגָּאַל (H1350) 'to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer'; the participle construct גֹּאֵל הַדָּם ('redeemer/avenger of blood') names the victim's next-of-kin obligated to avenge the blood — a legitimate role the law now channels through due process.
הַדָּ֜םthe bloodart + N m sg abs · דָּם (H1818)Genitive complement of גֹּאֵל (construct chain)דָּם (H1818) 'blood'; the shed blood requiring redress, completing the technical title גֹּאֵל הַדָּם.
אַחֲרֵ֣יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Preposition marking the object of pursuit, complement of יִרְדֹּףאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; here 'pursue after' = pursue.
הָרֹצֵ֗חַthe manslayerart + Qal ptc ms abs · רָצַח (H7523)Object of the preposition אַחֲרֵי→ Participle: substantival, the recurring technical subject of the chapterרָצַח (H7523); the articular participle again, the manslayer who is the potential target of the avenger's unlawful pursuit.
כִּיwhileconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing a causal/temporal clauseכִּי (H3588); here temporal/causal, 'while/because his heart is hot'.
יֵחַם֮is hotQal impf 3ms · יָחַם (H3179)Predicate verb of the כִּי clause→ Yiqtol: durative/present, the avenger's inflamed emotional state at the moment of pursuitיָחַם (H3179) 'to be hot, become heated'; figuratively of rage/passion, 'his heart grows hot' — the emotional volatility the law seeks to restrain from becoming judicial process.
לְבָבוֹ֒his heartN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Subject of יֵחַםלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; seat of emotion and will; 'his heart' = his passions, subject of the heating.
וְהִשִּׂיג֛וֹand overtake himconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms + 3ms suffix · נָשַׂג (H5381)Weqatal continuing the פֶּן clause (coordinate with יִרְדֹּף)→ Weqatal: sequential, the successful outcome of the feared pursuitנָשַׂג (H5381) 'to reach, overtake'; Hiphil causative, 'to catch up with/overtake' — the pursuit's successful and fatal conclusion, which the law works to prevent.
כִּֽיbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing a causal clauseכִּי (H3588), causal, explaining why the avenger might succeed in overtaking him.
יִרְבֶּ֥הis longQal impf 3ms · רָבָה (H7235)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Yiqtol: stative/durative, describing an ongoing conditionרָבָה (H7235) 'to be much, many, great'; of distance, 'the way is long/far' — the road maintenance of v. 3 exists precisely to shorten this risk.
הַדֶּ֖רֶךְthe wayart + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Subject of יִרְבֶּהדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, distance'; the same word as v. 3's road to be prepared.
וְהִכָּ֣הוּand strike himconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms + 3ms suffix · נָכָה (H5221)Weqatal continuing the פֶּן clause (the avenger's culminating act)→ Weqatal: sequential, the fatal blow the law aims to forestallנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike, smite'; Hiphil, the same verb used of the manslayer's original accidental blow (v. 4) — now describing the avenger's (illegitimate) killing blow.
נָ֑פֶשׁfatallyN c sg abs (adverbial accusative) · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Adverbial accusative of result modifying וְהִכָּהוּנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, person'; here adverbial, 'strike him to the soul/fatally' — an idiom for a lethal blow (cf. v. 11).
וְלוֹ֙though to himconj וְ + prep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְCircumstantial/concessive prepositional phrase ('though he had...')לְ + 3ms suffix; the possessive construction אֵין לוֹ מִשְׁפַּט מָוֶת, 'he has no sentence of death' = he did not deserve to die.
אֵ֣יןthere is notnegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Negative existential predicate ('he has no...')אַיִן (H369), particle of non-existence; with לוֹ, 'there is not to him' = 'he has no'.
מִשְׁפַּטsentence ofN m sg constr · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Subject of the existential clause (construct head)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, sentence, due process'; construct before מָוֶת, 'a death sentence' — the legal verdict this manslayer has not incurred.
מָ֔וֶתdeathN m sg abs · מָוֶת (H4194)Genitive complement of מִשְׁפַּטמָוֶת (H4194) 'death'; completing מִשְׁפַּט מָוֶת, the capital sentence he does not deserve.
כִּ֠יsinceconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the ground clauseכִּי (H3588), causal, grounding the previous statement in the criterion of v. 4.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates שֹׂנֵאלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle.
שֹׂנֵ֥אhatingQal ptc ms abs · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Predicate participle of the causal clause→ Participle: stative, describing the (absent) prior dispositionשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; repeats the diagnostic criterion of v. 4 — the manslayer's freedom from prior enmity.
ה֛וּאhepersonal pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of שֹׂנֵאהוּא (H1931), resumptive personal pronoun.
ל֖וֹhimprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְObject complement of שֹׂנֵאלְ + 3ms suffix, object of שֹׂנֵא.
מִתְּמ֥וֹלsince yesterdayprep מִן + adverb · תְּמוֹל (H8543)Temporal adverbial phrase paired with שִׁלְשׁוֹםתְּמוֹל (H8543) 'yesterday'; with מִן, paired with שִׁלְשׁוֹם in the idiom 'heretofore, in time past'.
שִׁלְשֽׁוֹםbeforeN m sg abs (adverbial) · שִׁלְשׁוֹם (H8032)Adverbial accusative completing the idiomשִׁלְשׁוֹם (H8032); repeats v. 4's idiom, confirming no history of enmity between the men.
7
עַל כֵּ֛ן אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ לֵאמֹ֑ר שָׁלֹ֥שׁ עָרִ֖ים תַּבְדִּ֥יל לָֽךְ
Therefore I am commanding you, saying: you shall set apart three cities for yourself.
עַל כֵּן ('therefore') closes the paradigm-case digression (vv. 4-6) by restating v. 2's command almost verbatim, resuming the main line of legislation before the conditional expansion of vv. 8-9.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
עַלthereforeprep · עַל (H5921)Preposition forming the fixed idiom עַל כֵּן ('therefore')עַל (H5921) 'upon, according to'; with כֵּן forms the fixed inferential idiom עַל כֵּן, 'therefore, for this reason'.
כֵּ֛ןthereforeadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Adverb completing the idiom עַל כֵּןכֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; with עַל, 'therefore' — marks the inferential conclusion drawn from vv. 4-6.
אָנֹכִ֥יIpersonal pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of מְצַוְּךָ (emphatic, redundant with the verb's own person marking)אָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic first-person pronoun, foregrounding Moses as speaker of the command.
מְצַוְּךָ֖commanding youPiel ptc ms constr + 2ms suffix · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate participle of the main clause→ Participle: durative/performative, the command taking effect in the moment of utteranceצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; Piel participle, the standard Deuteronomic verb for Moses' authoritative instruction.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitival complement introducing direct speech (quotative)→ Infinitive construct: quotative, marks the following words as direct discourseאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard quotative infinitive introducing the content of the command.
שָׁלֹ֥שׁthreenumeral · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Numeral modifying עָרִיםשָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three', repeating v. 2's command verbatim.
עָרִ֖יםcitiesN f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of תַּבְדִּילעִיר (H5892) 'city', plural.
תַּבְדִּ֥ילyou shall set apartHiphil impf 2ms · בָּדַל (H914)Predicate verb of the direct speech (resumes v. 2's command)→ Yiqtol with imperatival force: a binding obligationבָּדַל (H914) 'to separate, set apart'; verbatim repetition of v. 2's command, closing the digression of vv. 4-6 by returning to the main line.
לָֽךְfor yourselfprep לְ + 2fs suffix · לְEthical dative reinforcing the commandלְ + 2fs suffix (the same 2fs/2ms alternation noted at v. 2); dative of interest.
8
וְאִם יַרְחִ֞יב יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ אֶת גְּבֻ֣לְךָ֔ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּ֖ע לַאֲבֹתֶ֑יךָ וְנָ֤תַן לְךָ֙ אֶת כָּל הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֖ר לָתֵ֥ת לַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ
And if YHWH your God enlarges your border, as he swore to your fathers, and gives you all the land that he promised to give to your fathers —
The conditional וְאִם opens a second protasis, tying the possible expansion of cities of refuge to the patriarchal land-oath; the promise is never historically realized within the Former Prophets' account of Israel's territory, so this remains a standing, unfulfilled conditional.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Compound conjunction introducing the conditional protasisאִם (H518) 'if', with וְ; opens the conditional expansion clause of vv. 8-9.
יַרְחִ֞יבenlargesHiphil impf 3ms · רָחַב (H7337)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis→ Yiqtol: modal/conditional, a hypothetical future actרָחַב (H7337) 'to be wide, broad'; Hiphil causative, 'to enlarge/widen' — of YHWH extending Israel's territorial border.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יַרְחִיביְהוָה (H3068).
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of יַרְחִיב)אֵת (H853), marks גְּבֻלְךָ as the definite object.
גְּבֻ֣לְךָ֔your borderN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · גְּבוּל (H1366)Direct object of יַרְחִיבגְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, territory' + 2ms suffix.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunction ('just as')כְּ + אֲשֶׁר, compound comparative conjunction, 'just as, according to what'.
נִשְׁבַּ֖עhe sworeNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Qatal: perfective, the completed patriarchal oathשָׁבַע (H7650) 'to swear'; Niphal (reflexive-passive in form, active in sense), referencing the patriarchal land-promise (Gen 15:18-21; 26:3; 28:13).
לַאֲבֹתֶ֑יךָto your fathersprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Indirect object of נִשְׁבַּעאָב (H1) 'father', plural + 2ms suffix, 'your fathers' — the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.
וְנָ֤תַןand givesconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Weqatal continuing the conditional protasis→ Weqatal: sequential conditional, a further hypothetical consequenceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; continues the conditional 'and (if he) gives...'.
לְךָ֙to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְIndirect object of וְנָתַןלְ + 2ms suffix, dative of recipient.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of וְנָתַן)אֵת (H853), marks כָּל הָאָרֶץ as the definite object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָאָרֶץכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; construct, 'all the land'.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of כָּלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the full extent of the promised territory.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle introducing the clause specifying the land as promised.
דִּבֶּ֖רhe promisedPiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Qatal: perfective, the completed prior divine speech-actדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel, here 'to promise/declare'; refers to the same patriarchal promise as נִשְׁבַּע.
לָתֵ֥תto giveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Infinitival complement of דִּבֶּר (content of the promise)→ Infinitive construct: complementary, states the content of what was promisedנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; infinitive completing דִּבֶּר, 'promised to give'.
לַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָto your fathersprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Indirect object of לָתֵתאָב (H1), plural + 2ms suffix, repeating the patriarchal referent.
9
כִּֽי תִשְׁמֹר֩ אֶת כָּל הַמִּצְוָ֨ה הַזֹּ֜את לַעֲשֹׂתָ֗הּ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֣י מְצַוְּךָ֮ הַיּוֹם֒ לְאַהֲבָ֞ה אֶת יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ וְלָלֶ֥כֶת בִּדְרָכָ֖יו כָּל הַיָּמִ֑ים וְיָסַפְתָּ֨ לְךָ֥ עוֹד֙ שָׁלֹ֣שׁ עָרִ֔ים עַ֖ל הַשָּׁלֹ֥שׁ הָאֵֽלֶּה
if you keep all this commandment which I am commanding you today, to love YHWH your God and to walk in his ways all the days — then you shall add three more cities for yourself, beyond these three,
A second, nested condition (obedience — keeping, loving, walking in YHWH's ways) is layered onto the territorial condition of v. 8; only when BOTH are met does the apodosis וְיָסַפְתָּ ('then you shall add') trigger the expansion to six cities total.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
כִּֽיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the obedience-conditional protasisכִּי (H3588); here conditional, 'if you keep...'.
תִשְׁמֹר֩you keepQal impf 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis→ Yiqtol: modal/conditional, the hypothetical condition of obedienceשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; the standard Deuteronomic verb for covenant obedience.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of תִשְׁמֹר)אֵת (H853), marks כָּל הַמִּצְוָה as the definite object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הַמִּצְוָהכֹּל (H3605), construct, 'all of'.
הַמִּצְוָ֨הthe commandmentart + N f sg abs · מִצְוָה (H4687)Genitive complement of כָּלמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; singular collective referring to the whole body of Deuteronomic law.
הַזֹּ֜אתthisart + demonstrative pron fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive modifier of הַמִּצְוָהזֹאת (H2063) 'this' (fem., agreeing with מִצְוָה).
לַעֲשֹׂתָ֗הּto do itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs suffix · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitival purpose clause modifying תִשְׁמֹר→ Infinitive construct: purpose, doing following from keepingעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; 3fs suffix refers back to הַמִּצְוָה, completing the pair 'keep...to do it'.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הַמִּצְוָהאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle introducing the clause naming Moses as the one commanding.
אָנֹכִ֣יIpersonal pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of מְצַוְּךָ (emphatic)אָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic first-person pronoun.
מְצַוְּךָ֮am commanding youPiel ptc ms constr + 2ms suffix · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate participle of the relative clause→ Participle: durative/performative, the command taking effect in the moment of utteranceצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; Piel participle, echoing v. 7's מְצַוְּךָ.
הַיּוֹם֒todayart + N m sg abs (adverbial) · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of time modifying מְצַוְּךָיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article, the fixed Deuteronomic adverbial idiom הַיּוֹם 'today', foregrounding the immediacy of Moses' address.
לְאַהֲבָ֞הto loveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָהַב (H157)Infinitival complement specifying the content of the commandment→ Infinitive construct: epexegetical, unpacking what 'keeping the commandment' entailsאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; in Deuteronomy, covenantal love expressed in loyalty and obedience, not mere sentiment.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of לְאַהֲבָה)אֵת (H853), marks יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ as the definite object.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of לְאַהֲבָהיְהוָה (H3068).
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix.
וְלָלֶ֥כֶתand to walkconj וְ + prep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָלַךְ (H3212)Infinitival complement coordinated with לְאַהֲבָה→ Infinitive construct: epexegetical, a second unpacking of covenant faithfulnessהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk, go'; idiomatic 'to walk in (someone's) ways' = to live according to, the standard Deuteronomic metaphor for obedient conduct.
בִּדְרָכָ֖יוin his waysprep בְּ + N c pl constr + 3ms suffix · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Locative/manner complement of וְלָלֶכֶתדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way'; plural + 3ms suffix (referring to YHWH), 'his ways' = his commanded manner of life.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הַיָּמִיםכֹּל (H3605), construct, 'all of'.
הַיָּמִ֑יםthe daysart + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement of כָּל ('all the days')יוֹם (H3117), plural with article, 'the days' = perpetually, always.
וְיָסַפְתָּ֨then you shall addconj וְ + Qal perf 2ms · יָסַף (H3254)Weqatal introducing the apodosis (main consequence of the double condition, vv. 8-9)→ Weqatal: sequential future, the consequence of the compound conditionיָסַף (H3254) 'to add, increase'; the apodosis verb — three further cities added if BOTH conditions (territorial expansion and covenant obedience) are met.
לְךָ֥for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְEthical dativeלְ + 2ms suffix, dative of interest.
עוֹד֙moreadverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverb modifying וְיָסַפְתָּ ('add yet more')עוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet, again'; reinforces the sense of addition.
שָׁלֹ֣שׁthreenumeral · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Numeral modifying עָרִיםשָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; the expansion figure, doubling the original three to six total.
עָרִ֔יםcitiesN f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of וְיָסַפְתָּעִיר (H5892) 'city', plural.
עַ֖לbeyondprep · עַל (H5921)Preposition marking the point of addition, complement of וְיָסַפְתָּעַל (H5921) 'upon, beyond, in addition to'; here marking what the new three are added TO.
הַשָּׁלֹ֥שׁthe threeart + numeral f sg · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Object of the preposition עַלשָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969), articular, referring back to the original three cities of vv. 2-3.
הָאֵֽלֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive modifier of הַשָּׁלֹשׁאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; demonstrative agreeing with the implied עָרִים.
10
וְלֹ֤א יִשָּׁפֵךְ֙ דָּ֣ם נָקִ֔י בְּקֶ֣רֶב אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ נַחֲלָ֑ה וְהָיָ֥ה עָלֶ֖יךָ דָּמִֽים
so that innocent blood may not be shed in the midst of your land which YHWH your God is giving you as an inheritance, and bloodguilt be upon you.
The purpose clause closes the whole asylum institution (vv. 1-10) by naming its ultimate rationale — protecting the land from דָּם נָקִי ('innocent blood') and the nation from דָּמִים ('bloodguilt'), a theological-legal category that will recur in the murderer case of vv. 11-13.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְלֹ֤אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִשָּׁפֵךְ, introducing the purpose clauseלֹא (H3808) with וְ, continuing the negative purpose from v. 9's apodosis.
יִשָּׁפֵךְ֙be shedNiphal impf 3ms · שָׁפַךְ (H8210)Predicate verb of the purpose clause (passive)→ Yiqtol: modal/purpose, Niphal passive — 'may not be shed'שָׁפַךְ (H8210) 'to pour out'; Niphal passive, the standard idiom for spilling blood/committing homicide (שָׁפַךְ דָּם).
דָּ֣םbloodN m sg abs · דָּם (H1818)Subject of יִשָּׁפֵךְדָּם (H1818) 'blood'.
נָקִ֔יinnocentadj m sg abs · נָקִי (H5355)Attributive adjective modifying דָּםנָקִי (H5355) 'innocent, free from guilt'; qualifies דָּם, 'innocent blood' — blood shed without legal or moral justification, the chapter's central concern.
בְּקֶ֣רֶבin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phrase modifying יִשָּׁפֵךְקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, interior'; construct, 'in the midst of your land'.
אַרְצְךָ֔your landN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of קֶרֶבאֶרֶץ (H776) + 2ms suffix.
אֲשֶׁר֙whichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying אַרְצְךָאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068).
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix.
נֹתֵ֥ןis givingQal ptc ms abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle of the relative clause→ Participle: durative/progressive, the ongoing gift in progressנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'.
לְךָ֖to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ + 2ms suffix, dative of recipient.
נַחֲלָ֑הas an inheritanceN f sg abs (adverbial accusative) · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Adverbial accusative of state, complement of נֹתֵןנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, possession'; 'gives...as an inheritance' — the land's covenantal, permanent status as Israel's allotted possession.
וְהָיָ֥הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal closing the sentence with a further consequence→ Weqatal: sequential future, the resulting culpability if innocent blood is shedהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here 'and (bloodguilt) shall come to be upon you'.
עָלֶ֖יךָupon youprep עַל + 2ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Locative/responsibility complement of וְהָיָהעַל (H5921) + 2ms suffix, 'upon you' — marking legal/moral responsibility resting on the addressee.
דָּמִֽיםbloodguiltN m pl abs · דָּם (H1818)Subject of וְהָיָהדָּם (H1818), plural form דָּמִים, a technical legal term for 'bloodguilt' distinct from the singular דָּם ('blood'); cf. Exod 22:1.
11
וְכִֽי יִהְיֶ֥ה אִישׁ֙ שֹׂנֵ֣א לְרֵעֵ֔הוּ וְאָ֤רַב לוֹ֙ וְקָ֣ם עָלָ֔יו וְהִכָּ֥הוּ נֶ֖פֶשׁ וָמֵ֑ת וְנָ֕ס אֶל אַחַ֖ת הֶעָרִ֥ים הָאֵֽל
But if a man hates his neighbor, and lies in wait for him, and rises against him and strikes him fatally so that he dies, and he flees to one of these cities,
וְכִי introduces the deliberate mirror-case of vv. 4-6: every verb here (שֹׂנֵא, אָרַב, קָם) is the direct negation of the innocent manslayer's profile — hatred instead of its absence, ambush instead of accident — building the case that the asylum right does not apply to him.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְכִֽיbut ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Compound conjunction introducing the antithetical conditional protasisכִּי (H3588) with וְ; opens the deliberate-murder case, mirroring וַאֲשֶׁר of v. 5 but reversing the moral valence.
יִהְיֶ֥הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis (existential)→ Yiqtol: modal/conditional, introduces the hypothetical scenarioהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; existential, 'if there is/should be a man...'.
אִישׁ֙a manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יִהְיֶהאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the indefinite subject of the antithetical case.
שֹׂנֵ֣אhatingQal ptc ms abs · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Predicate participle describing אִישׁ→ Participle: durative/stative, an established, ongoing disposition of hostilityשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; here the participle is affirmed (not negated as in vv. 4, 6) — the decisive reversal that disqualifies this killer from asylum.
לְרֵעֵ֔הוּhis neighborprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Object complement of שֹׂנֵארֵעַ (H7453) + 3ms suffix, object of שֹׂנֵא — the same victim-type as vv. 4-5, now hated rather than innocently encountered.
וְאָ֤רַבand lies in waitconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · אָרַב (H693)Weqatal continuing the description of the man's actions→ Weqatal: sequential, the premeditation that defines murder as opposed to accidentאָרַב (H693) 'to lie in wait, ambush'; the decisive mark of premeditation, structurally opposite to the accidental encounter of v. 5.
לוֹ֙for himprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְObject complement of וְאָרַבלְ + 3ms suffix, object of אָרַב ('lies in wait for him').
וְקָ֣םand risesconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Weqatal continuing the sequence of hostile actions→ Weqatal: sequential, the attack properקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, stand up'; here 'rises up against' = attacks.
עָלָ֔יוagainst himprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Complement of וְקָםעַל (H5921) + 3ms suffix, 'against him', marking hostile orientation.
וְהִכָּ֥הוּand strikes himconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms + 3ms suffix · נָכָה (H5221)Weqatal, the fatal blow→ Weqatal: sequential, the culminating violent actנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike'; Hiphil, the same verb of the manslayer's accidental blow (v. 4) and the avenger's blow (v. 6) — now this man's premeditated, guilty blow.
נֶ֖פֶשׁfatallyN c sg abs (adverbial accusative) · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Adverbial accusative of result modifying וְהִכָּהוּנֶפֶשׁ (H5315), the same idiom as v. 6, 'strikes him to the soul/fatally'.
וָמֵ֑תand he diesconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Weqatal closing the description of the murder→ Weqatal: sequential, the fatal resultמוּת (H4191) 'to die'.
וְנָ֕סand he fleesconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · נוּס (H5127)Weqatal introducing the murderer's (illegitimate) attempt at asylum→ Weqatal: sequential, describing the murderer's attempted (but disallowed) flightנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; here the same verb used of the legitimate manslayer (vv. 3-5), now describing a murderer's abuse of the asylum institution — the very point vv. 12-13 exist to foreclose.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Preposition marking destination, complement of וְנָסאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
אַחַ֖תonenumeral f sg · אַחַת (H259)Governs הֶעָרִים (partitive)אַחַת (H259) 'one'; partitive, 'one of these cities'.
הֶעָרִ֥יםthe citiesart + N f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of אַחַתעִיר (H5892), plural with article.
הָאֵֽלtheseart + demonstrative pron pl (defective spelling) · אֵל (H411)Attributive modifier of הֶעָרִיםאֵל (H411), a rare defective (shortened) spelling of אֵלֶּה 'these' (cf. Gen 19:8; Lev 18:27), orthographically distinctive but semantically identical to הָאֵלֶּה of v. 5.
12
וְשָֽׁלְחוּ֙ זִקְנֵ֣י עִיר֔וֹ וְלָקְח֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ מִשָּׁ֑ם וְנָתְנ֣וּ אֹת֗וֹ בְּיַ֛ד גֹּאֵ֥ל הַדָּ֖ם וָמֵֽת
then the elders of his city shall send and take him from there, and give him into the hand of the redeemer of blood, that he may die.
The apodosis reverses the asylum protection outright: instead of the גֹּאֵל הַדָּם being restrained (v. 6), the city elders themselves extradite the murderer INTO his hand — due process (elders, investigation) replaces both mob vengeance and false sanctuary.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְשָֽׁלְחוּ֙then they shall sendconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp · שָׁלַח (H7971)Weqatal introducing the apodosis (the elders' response)→ Weqatal: sequential future, the elders' obligatory actionשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; the elders dispatch agents to retrieve the murderer from asylum.
זִקְנֵ֣יthe elders ofadj m pl constr (substantival) · זָקֵן (H2205)Subject of וְשָׁלְחוּ (construct head)זָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; substantival plural construct, 'the elders of' — the local judicial authority responsible for extradition.
עִיר֔וֹhis cityN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of זִקְנֵיעִיר (H5892) + 3ms suffix, 'his city' — the murderer's home city, whose elders bear responsibility.
וְלָקְח֥וּand they shall takeconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp · לָקַח (H3947)Weqatal continuing the apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential futureלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, seize'.
אֹת֖וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object of וְלָקְחוּ)אֵת (H853) + 3ms suffix, marking the murderer as the definite object.
מִשָּׁ֑םfrom thereprep מִן + adverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbial phrase modifying וְלָקְחוּשָׁם (H8033) 'there' with מִן, 'from there' — from the city of refuge.
וְנָתְנ֣וּand they shall giveconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp · נָתַן (H5414)Weqatal continuing the apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential futureנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; here 'hand over, deliver'.
אֹת֗וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object of וְנָתְנוּ)אֵת (H853) + 3ms suffix, again marking the murderer.
בְּיַ֛דinto the hand ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Locative/instrumental complement of וְנָתְנוּיָד (H3027) 'hand'; construct, idiomatic 'into the hand of' = into the custody/power of.
גֹּאֵ֥לthe redeemer ofQal ptc ms constr · גָּאַל (H1350)Genitive complement of בְּיַד (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival, the legally recognized avenger roleגָּאַל (H1350); the same technical title as v. 6, now legitimately exercising his role via due process rather than hot-blooded pursuit.
הַדָּ֖םthe bloodart + N m sg abs · דָּם (H1818)Genitive complement of גֹּאֵלדָּם (H1818), completing גֹּאֵל הַדָּם.
וָמֵֽתthat he may dieconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Weqatal expressing purpose/result ('so that he dies')→ Weqatal: purpose/result, the intended and lawful outcome of extraditionמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the sanctioned, judicially administered death of the actual murderer — contrast the near-miscarriage of justice in v. 6.
13
לֹא תָח֥וֹס עֵֽינְךָ֖ עָלָ֑יו וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֧ דַֽם הַנָּקִ֛י מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וְט֥וֹב לָֽךְ
Your eye shall not pity him; you shall purge the innocent blood from Israel, so that it may go well with you.
לֹא תָחוֹס עֵינְךָ ('your eye shall not pity') is a stock Deuteronomic formula for capital cases (cf. 7:16; 13:9; 25:12) that forecloses sentimental leniency; the closing וְטוֹב לָךְ ties communal purgation of bloodguilt to covenant blessing.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תָחוֹסלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle.
תָח֥וֹסshall pityQal impf 3fs · חוּס (H2347)Predicate verb (main clause prohibition)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/jussive force, a binding negative commandחוּס (H2347) 'to pity, look with compassion'; the standard Deuteronomic prohibition against merciful leniency in capital justice (cf. 7:16; 13:9; 25:12; v. 21 below).
עֵֽינְךָ֖your eyeN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Subject of תָחוֹסעַיִן (H5869) 'eye' + 2ms suffix; idiom for compassion/regard, 'your eye shall not pity' = you must not show mercy.
עָלָ֑יוon himprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Complement of תָחוֹסעַל (H5921) + 3ms suffix, 'upon/toward him', object of the pity that is forbidden.
וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֧and you shall purgeconj וְ + Piel perf 2ms · בָּעַר (H1197)Weqatal continuing the command→ Weqatal: sequential imperatival future, the required communal actionבָּעַר (H1197) 'to burn, consume'; Piel here figuratively, 'to purge, burn away (evil)' — a fixed Deuteronomic formula for eliminating a source of guilt from the community (cf. v. 19; 13:6; 17:7; 21:21; 22:21-24; 24:7).
דַֽםthe blood ofN m sg constr · דָּם (H1818)Object of וּבִעַרְתָּ (construct head)דָּם (H1818), construct, 'the blood of' — governing הַנָּקִי.
הַנָּקִ֛יthe innocentart + adj m sg abs (substantival) · נָקִי (H5355)Genitive complement of דַם (substantival adjective)נָקִי (H5355) 'innocent'; substantival with article, 'the innocent (blood)' — echoing v. 10's דָּם נָקִי.
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֖לfrom Israelprep מִן + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Locative complement of וּבִעַרְתָּיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the nation as the community from which bloodguilt must be purged.
וְט֥וֹבand it will go wellconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (stative) · טוֹב (H2896)Weqatal closing the verse with a motivational consequence→ Weqatal: sequential result, the promised benefit of obedient justiceטוֹב (H2896) 'good, well'; here verbal use, 'and it shall go well (for you)' — ties justice to covenant blessing, echoing v. 20's deterrence rationale.
לָֽךְfor youprep לְ + 2fs suffix · לְComplement of וְטוֹבלְ + 2fs suffix (the recurring 2fs/2ms alternation); dative of advantage.
14
לֹ֤א תַסִּיג֙ גְּב֣וּל רֵֽעֲךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר גָּבְל֖וּ רִאשֹׁנִ֑ים בְּנַחֲלָֽתְךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּנְחַ֔ל בָּאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ
You shall not move your neighbor's boundary marker, which the men of former times have set, in your inheritance that you will inherit in the land that YHWH your God is giving you to possess.
A single terse prohibition, formally and topically distinct from what surrounds it — no casuistic elaboration, no motive clause beyond the implicit sanctity of the ancestral allotment. It functions as a hinge: like the asylum laws it protects a settled order against encroachment, and like the coming witness laws it protects a neighbor's rightful claim against a quiet, deniable wrong.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
לֹ֤אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תַסִּיגלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle.
תַסִּיג֙you shall moveHiphil impf 2ms · נָסַג (H5253)Predicate verb (main clause prohibition)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive force, a binding negative commandנָסַג (H5253) 'to move back, remove'; Hiphil, 'to move/shift back (a boundary)' — the standard verb for illegally encroaching on a neighbor's land by relocating its marker (cf. 27:17; Prov 22:28; 23:10; Hos 5:10).
גְּב֣וּלthe boundary marker ofN m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Object of תַסִּיג (construct head)גְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, boundary(-stone)'; here concrete, the physical landmark demarcating property lines.
רֵֽעֲךָ֔your neighborN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Genitive complement of גְּבוּלרֵעַ (H7453) + 2ms suffix, 'your neighbor' — the fellow Israelite whose allotted land is protected.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying גְּבוּלאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
גָּבְל֖וּsetQal perf 3cp · גָּבַל (H1379)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Qatal: perfective, the completed original act of surveying/markingגָּבַל (H1379) 'to border, set a boundary'; denominative from גְּבוּל, 'demarcated' the original land allotments.
רִאשֹׁנִ֑יםthe former onesadj m pl abs (substantival) · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Subject of גָּבְלוּרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former'; substantival plural, 'the former ones' — the generation who first divided the land under Joshua (cf. Josh 13-21).
בְּנַחֲלָֽתְךָ֙in your inheritanceprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 2ms suffix · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Locative prepositional phrase modifying תַסִּיג (resumptive)נַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, allotted possession' + 2ms suffix; the addressee's own tribal/family land allotment.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying בְּנַחֲלָתְךָאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
תִּנְחַ֔לyou will inheritQal impf 2ms · נָחַל (H5157)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: future, the anticipated act of taking possessionנָחַל (H5157) 'to inherit, take possession'; the same root as נַחֲלָתְךָ, an emphatic figura etymologica.
בָּאָ֕רֶץin the landprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase modifying תִּנְחַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; with article, the promised land as a whole.
אֲשֶׁר֙whichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068).
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix.
נֹתֵ֥ןis givingQal ptc ms abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle of the relative clause→ Participle: durative/progressive, the ongoing gift in progressנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'.
לְךָ֖to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ + 2ms suffix, dative of recipient.
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּto possess itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Infinitival purpose clause modifying נֹתֵן→ Infinitive construct: purpose, the intended outcome of the giftיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess'; 3fs suffix referring back to אֶרֶץ ('land'), repeating the formula of v. 2.
15
לֹֽא יָקוּם֩ עֵ֨ד אֶחָ֜ד בְּאִ֗ישׁ לְכָל עָוֺן֙ וּלְכָל חַטָּ֔את בְּכָל חֵ֖טְא אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶֽחֱטָ֑א עַל פִּ֣י שְׁנֵ֣י עֵדִ֗ים א֛וֹ עַל פִּ֥י שְׁלֹשָֽׁה עֵדִ֖ים יָק֥וּם דָּבָֽר
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity or any sin, in connection with any sin that he commits; on the mouth of two witnesses or on the mouth of three witnesses a matter shall be established.
The two/three-witness rule is stated first as a categorical negative (no single witness suffices for ANY offense, עָוֹן/חַטָּאת/חֵטְא covering the whole range) and then positively (עַל פִּי שְׁנֵי עֵדִים...יָקוּם דָּבָר); this principle underlies the procedure for a malicious witness that follows in vv. 16-19 and is echoed at 17:6.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יָקוּםלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle.
יָקוּם֩shall riseQal impf 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (main clause prohibition)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/jussive, a binding negative ruleקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, stand'; judicial idiom, 'to rise up (as a valid witness)' — cf. its second occurrence at the verse's end (a valid 'matter' rising/standing).
עֵ֨דwitnessN m sg abs · עֵד (H5707)Subject of יָקוּםעֵד (H5707) 'witness'; the foundational legal principle of this unit — no single testimony suffices.
אֶחָ֜דonenumeral m sg · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral modifying עֵדאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; emphatic, 'a single witness' — the numerical minimum this law forbids as sufficient.
בְּאִ֗ישׁagainst a manprep בְּ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Complement of יָקוּםאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the defendant against whom testimony is brought.
לְכָלfor anyprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase modifying the scope of the prohibitionכֹּל (H3605), construct, 'for any' — the first of three overlapping terms for wrongdoing, maximizing the rule's scope.
עָוֺן֙iniquityN c sg abs · עָוֹן (H5771)Genitive complement of לְכָלעָוֹן (H5771) 'iniquity, guilt'; a broad term for wrongdoing/its guilt.
וּלְכָלor for anyconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinated prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605), coordinated with the previous phrase, introducing the second overlapping term.
חַטָּ֔אתsinN f sg abs · חַטָּאת (H2403)Genitive complement of וּלְכָלחַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin, sin-offering'; the second of the three overlapping terms, from the root 'to miss the mark'.
בְּכָלin anyprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase further specifying scopeכֹּל (H3605), construct, introducing the third overlapping term with a distinct preposition, reinforcing totality.
חֵ֖טְאsinN m sg abs · חֵטְא (H2399)Genitive complement of בְּכָלחֵטְא (H2399) 'sin, offense'; the third overlapping term, near-synonym of חַטָּאת — the threefold stacking (עָוֹן/חַטָּאת/חֵטְא) rhetorically covers every conceivable charge.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying חֵטְאאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
יֶֽחֱטָ֑אhe commitsQal impf 3ms · חָטָא (H2398)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: general/gnomic, describing any hypothetical offenseחָטָא (H2398) 'to sin, miss the mark, offend'; the verbal root underlying both חַטָּאת and חֵטְא just named.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Preposition introducing the evidentiary standardעַל (H5921) 'upon, according to'; here 'on the mouth of' = by the testimony of.
פִּ֣יthe mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Object of עַל (construct head)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; construct, idiomatic 'mouth of witnesses' = the spoken testimony of witnesses, the basis for a legal verdict.
שְׁנֵ֣יtwonumeral dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Genitive complement of פִּישְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; dual construct, the minimum number of witnesses required.
עֵדִ֗יםwitnessesN m pl abs · עֵד (H5707)Genitive complement completing שְׁנֵיעֵד (H5707), plural, echoing v. 15a's singular עֵד — the positive standard replacing the forbidden single witness.
א֛וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating conjunction linking the two numerical alternativesאוֹ (H176) 'or'.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Preposition introducing the second evidentiary alternativeעַל (H5921), repeated for the parallel alternative.
פִּ֥יthe mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Object of עַל (construct head)פֶּה (H6310), repeated construct.
שְׁלֹשָֽׁהthreenumeral m sg · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Genitive complement of פִּישָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; the alternative, higher number of witnesses.
עֵדִ֖יםwitnessesN m pl abs · עֵד (H5707)Genitive complement completing שְׁלֹשָׁהעֵד (H5707), plural.
יָק֥וּםshall standQal impf 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (positive main clause, closing formula)→ Yiqtol: general/gnomic, a standing legal principleקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, stand'; here 'a matter shall stand/be established' — the same verb as v. 15a's יָקוּם, now affirmed rather than negated, framing the verse as a negative-then-positive statement of one principle.
דָּבָֽרa matterN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of יָקוּםדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, case'; the legal matter/charge being adjudicated, echoing v. 4's דְּבַר הָרֹצֵחַ.
16
כִּֽי יָק֥וּם עֵד חָמָ֖ס בְּאִ֑ישׁ לַעֲנ֥וֹת בּ֖וֹ סָרָֽה
If a malicious witness rises up against a man to testify against him of wrongdoing,
עֵד חָמָס ('witness of violence/malice') names the specific threat the two/three-witness rule cannot fully prevent — collusive or perjurious testimony — and opens the procedural case worked out through v. 19.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
כִּֽיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the conditional protasisכִּי (H3588); here conditional, opening the malicious-witness case.
יָק֥וּםrises upQal impf 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis→ Yiqtol: modal/conditional, the hypothetical scenarioקוּם (H6965) 'to rise'; the same verb as v. 15, here of a witness improperly bringing an accusation.
עֵדa witness ofN m sg constr · עֵד (H5707)Subject of יָקוּם (construct head)עֵד (H5707) 'witness', construct governing חָמָס.
חָמָ֖סmaliceN m sg abs · חָמָס (H2555)Genitive complement of עֵד (construct chain)חָמָס (H2555) 'violence, wrong, malice'; completing the technical title עֵד חָמָס 'malicious witness' (cf. Exod 23:1; Ps 27:12), one who testifies to inflict harm rather than truth.
בְּאִ֑ישׁagainst a manprep בְּ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Complement of יָקוּםאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the defendant targeted by the malicious witness.
לַעֲנ֥וֹתto testifyprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָנָה (H6030)Infinitival purpose clause modifying יָקוּם→ Infinitive construct: purpose, the intent behind rising upעָנָה (H6030) 'to answer, testify'; infinitive, 'to testify (against him)' — the formal act of bringing legal accusation.
בּ֖וֹagainst himprep בְּ + 3ms suffix · בְּObject complement of לַעֲנוֹתבְּ + 3ms suffix, marking the target of the testimony.
סָרָֽהwrongdoingN f sg abs · סָרָה (H5627)Object of לַעֲנוֹת (accusative of content)סָרָה (H5627) 'turning aside, defection, wrongdoing'; from the root סוּר 'to turn aside'; the content of the false accusation, elsewhere used of rebellion/apostasy (13:6).
17
וְעָמְד֧וּ שְׁנֵֽי הָאֲנָשִׁ֛ים אֲשֶׁר לָהֶ֥ם הָרִ֖יב לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה לִפְנֵ֤י הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ וְהַשֹּׁ֣פְטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִהְי֖וּ בַּיָּמִ֥ים הָהֵֽם
then the two men who have the dispute shall stand before YHWH, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days.
Both parties (not just the accused) stand together לִפְנֵי יְהוָה — before the sanctuary tribunal of priests and judges — establishing the venue for the inquiry described in v. 18.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְעָמְד֧וּthen shall standconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp · עָמַד (H5975)Weqatal introducing the apodosis (procedural response)→ Weqatal: sequential future, the required legal procedureעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; the standard verb for appearing/standing before a legal tribunal.
שְׁנֵֽיthe twonumeral dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Governs הָאֲנָשִׁיםשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; construct, both the accuser and the accused.
הָאֲנָשִׁ֛יםthe menart + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וְעָמְדוּ (genitive complement of שְׁנֵי)אִישׁ (H376), plural with article, 'the men' — the two parties to the dispute.
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָאֲנָשִׁיםאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
לָהֶ֥םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְPossessive complement of the existential clause ('who have the dispute')לְ + 3mp suffix; possessive construction, 'to whom belongs the dispute' = who have the dispute.
הָרִ֖יבthe disputeart + N c sg abs · רִיב (H7379)Subject of the possessive clauseרִיב (H7379) 'strife, dispute, legal case'; the matter in contention between the two men.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase modifying וְעָמְדוּפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic construct 'before/in the presence of'.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the preposition לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068); standing 'before YHWH' denotes appearing at the sanctuary/central tribunal.
לִפְנֵ֤יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Second locative prepositional phrase, in apposition (specifying the venue)פָּנִים (H6440), repeated, specifying who stands as YHWH's representatives.
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙the priestsart + N m pl abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Object of the second לִפְנֵיכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the sanctuary personnel who, with judges, adjudicate the case (cf. 17:9).
וְהַשֹּׁ֣פְטִ֔יםand the judgesconj וְ + art + Qal ptc m pl abs (substantival) · שָׁפַט (H8199)Coordinated object of the second לִפְנֵי (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival, names the office by its functionשָׁפַט (H8199) 'to judge'; substantival participle, 'the ones who judge' = the judges, paired with the priests as the joint tribunal.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הַשֹּׁפְטִיםאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
יִהְי֖וּwill beQal impf 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: durative/future, describing whoever holds office at the timeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; here of holding office, 'who shall be (in office)'.
בַּיָּמִ֥יםin the daysprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial temporal phrase modifying יִהְיוּיוֹם (H3117), plural with article, 'in the days'.
הָהֵֽםthoseart + personal pron 3mp (demonstrative use) · הֵם (H1992)Attributive modifier of בַּיָּמִיםהֵם (H1992), demonstrative use with article, 'those (days)' — whoever is serving at the time of the case.
18
וְדָרְשׁ֥וּ הַשֹּׁפְטִ֖ים הֵיטֵ֑ב וְהִנֵּ֤ה עֵֽד שֶׁ֨קֶר֙ הָעֵ֔ד שֶׁ֖קֶר עָנָ֥ה בְאָחִֽיו
The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and behold, if the witness is a false witness, has testified falsely against his brother,
וְדָרְשׁוּ...הֵיטֵב ('shall inquire thoroughly') mandates due diligence before any verdict; וְהִנֵּה marks the pivot to the inquiry's hypothetical outcome, discovered perjury, which triggers the sanction of v. 19.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְדָרְשׁ֥וּthen shall investigateconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp · דָּרַשׁ (H1875)Weqatal introducing the apodosis (judicial procedure)→ Weqatal: sequential future, the required act of judicial diligenceדָּרַשׁ (H1875) 'to seek, inquire, investigate'; the standard verb for judicial fact-finding/cross-examination.
הַשֹּׁפְטִ֖יםthe judgesart + Qal ptc m pl abs (substantival) · שָׁפַט (H8199)Subject of וְדָרְשׁוּ→ Participle: substantival, naming the officeשָׁפַט (H8199); substantival participle, 'the ones who judge' = the judges, repeating v. 17's term.
הֵיטֵ֑בthoroughlyHiphil inf abs · יָטַב (H3190)Adverbial infinitive absolute modifying וְדָרְשׁוּ (manner)→ Infinitive absolute: intensifying adverbial, 'investigate WELL/thoroughly'יָטַב (H3190) 'to be good, do well'; Hiphil infinitive absolute used adverbially, 'diligently, thoroughly' — mandates rigorous due diligence before any verdict, guarding against wrongful conviction.
וְהִנֵּ֤הand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle marking the pivot to the hypothetical findingהִנֵּה (H2009), presentative/deictic particle, 'and behold' — vividly marks the discovery about to be described.
עֵֽדa witness ofN m sg constr · עֵד (H5707)Subject of the verbless clause (construct head)עֵד (H5707), construct governing שֶׁקֶר.
שֶׁ֨קֶר֙falsehoodN m sg abs · שֶׁקֶר (H8267)Genitive complement of עֵד (construct chain)שֶׁקֶר (H8267) 'lie, falsehood'; completing עֵד שֶׁקֶר 'a false witness' (cf. Exod 20:16).
הָעֵ֔דthe witnessart + N m sg abs · עֵד (H5707)Resumes עֵד שֶׁקֶר, subject of עָנָה (fronted for emphasis)עֵד (H5707), articular, resumptively naming the same witness just identified, foregrounded before its predicate.
שֶׁ֖קֶרfalselyN m sg abs (adverbial accusative) · שֶׁקֶר (H8267)Adverbial accusative modifying עָנָהשֶׁקֶר (H8267), repeated, now adverbial, 'has testified FALSELY' — the doubling (עֵד שֶׁקֶר...שֶׁקֶר עָנָה) underscores the gravity of the finding.
עָנָ֥הhas testifiedQal perf 3ms · עָנָה (H6030)Predicate verb, the confirmed conclusion of the inquiry→ Qatal: perfective, the completed (discovered) act of false testimonyעָנָה (H6030) 'to answer, testify'; the confirmed finding that closes the inquiry of v. 18a.
בְאָחִֽיוagainst his brotherprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Complement of עָנָהאָח (H251) 'brother' + 3ms suffix; the accused reframed as 'brother' — a fellow Israelite, heightening the moral weight of the false witness's betrayal.
19
וַעֲשִׂ֣יתֶם ל֔וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר זָמַ֖ם לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת לְאָחִ֑יו וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥ הָרָ֖ע מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ
then you shall do to him as he schemed to do to his brother, and you shall purge the evil from your midst.
כַּאֲשֶׁר זָמַם ('as he schemed') is the operative principle: the false witness suffers exactly the penalty he intended for his brother — a judicial mirroring, not open-ended vengeance, and the ground for the talion formula generalized in v. 21.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַעֲשִׂ֣יתֶםthen you shall doconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Weqatal introducing the apodosis (talionic sanction)→ Weqatal: sequential future, the binding communal obligation (2mp addressing the judges/community)עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; here 'do to him' = apply the same penalty.
ל֔וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְIndirect object of וַעֲשִׂיתֶםלְ + 3ms suffix, marking the false witness as recipient of the penalty.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunction ('just as')כְּ + אֲשֶׁר, compound comparative conjunction introducing the standard of the penalty: the very harm the witness intended.
זָמַ֖םhe schemedQal perf 3ms · זָמַם (H2161)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Qatal: perfective, the completed prior intentionזָמַם (H2161) 'to plan, scheme, devise'; the operative verb of the talion principle here — the punishment matches the SCHEMED harm, not merely the testimony given, focusing on culpable intent.
לַעֲשׂ֣וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitival complement of זָמַם (content of the scheme)→ Infinitive construct: complementary, the intended actionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; infinitive completing זָמַם, 'schemed to do'.
לְאָחִ֑יוto his brotherprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Indirect object of לַעֲשׂוֹתאָח (H251) + 3ms suffix, 'his brother' — the intended victim, repeating v. 18's fraternal frame.
וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥and you shall purgeconj וְ + Piel perf 2ms · בָּעַר (H1197)Weqatal continuing the command (2ms, addressing Israel/the individual)→ Weqatal: sequential imperatival future, the closing communal-purgation formulaבָּעַר (H1197) 'to burn, consume'; Piel, the same purgation formula as v. 13, closing this case with the identical rationale.
הָרָ֖עthe evilart + adj m sg abs (substantival) · רַע (H7451)Object of וּבִעַרְתָּרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; substantival with article, 'the evil (thing/person)' — the false witness himself, or the evil he represents.
מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָfrom your midstprep מִן + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative complement of וּבִעַרְתָּקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, interior' + 2ms suffix; the community from which the evil must be expelled, echoing v. 13's מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל.
20
וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִ֖ים יִשְׁמְע֣וּ וְיִרָ֑אוּ וְלֹֽא יֹסִ֨פוּ לַעֲשׂ֜וֹת ע֗וֹד כַּדָּבָ֥ר הָרָ֛ע הַזֶּ֖ה בְּקִרְבֶּֽךָ
And the rest shall hear and fear, and shall never again do such an evil thing in your midst.
יִשְׁמְעוּ וְיִרָאוּ ('shall hear and fear') states the deterrence logic explicitly — the sanction's point is public and prophylactic, discouraging future false testimony, not satisfying private grievance; the same formula recurs at 13:12; 17:13; 21:21.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִ֖יםand the restconj וְ + art + Niphal ptc m pl abs (substantival) · שָׁאַר (H7604)Subject of יִשְׁמְעוּ (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival, names a class collectivelyשָׁאַר (H7604) 'to remain, be left'; Niphal participle substantival, 'those remaining/the rest' — the wider community who witness or hear of the sanction.
יִשְׁמְע֣וּshall hearQal impf 3mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause, deterrence rationale)→ Yiqtol: future, the anticipated deterrent effectשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; the first half of the fixed deterrence formula יִשְׁמְעוּ וְיִרָאוּ (cf. 13:12; 17:13; 21:21).
וְיִרָ֑אוּand fearconj וְ + Qal impf 3mp · יָרֵא (H3372)Coordinated predicate verb (deterrence rationale)→ Yiqtol: future, the intended emotional/behavioral deterrentיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; completing the deterrence formula, the explicit purpose of public justice — to instill fear that forestalls future offenses.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יֹסִפוּלֹא (H3808) with וְ, negating the future repetition of the offense.
יֹסִ֨פוּshall againHiphil impf 3mp · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb (main clause, result of the deterrence)→ Yiqtol: future/prohibitive, the intended lasting effectיָסַף (H3254) 'to add, do again'; Hiphil, 'shall not again do' — the same root as v. 9's וְיָסַפְתָּ, here negated.
לַעֲשׂ֜וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitival complement of יֹסִפוּ→ Infinitive construct: complementary, completing 'shall not again do'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; infinitive completing יֹסִפוּ.
ע֗וֹדagainadverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverb reinforcing יֹסִפוּ ('shall not do so again')עוֹד (H5750) 'still, again'; reinforces the prohibition against repetition.
כַּדָּבָ֥רlike this matterprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Comparative prepositional phrase modifying לַעֲשׂוֹתדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, thing'; with כְּ and article, 'like this thing' — referring back to the false-witness episode just narrated.
הָרָ֛עevilart + adj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Attributive adjective modifying the implied דָּבָררַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; qualifies דָּבָר, 'this evil thing/deed'.
הַזֶּ֖הthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive modifier of כַּדָּבָרזֶה (H2088) 'this'; demonstrative agreeing with דָּבָר.
בְּקִרְבֶּֽךָin your midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative complement of the infinitive clauseקֶרֶב (H7130) + 2ms suffix, 'in your midst' — echoing vv. 13, 19, framing false witness as a threat to communal purity.
21
וְלֹ֥א תָח֖וֹס עֵינֶ֑ךָ נֶ֣פֶשׁ בְּנֶ֗פֶשׁ עַ֤יִן בְּעַ֨יִן֙ שֵׁ֣ן בְּשֵׁ֔ן יָ֥ד בְּיָ֖ד רֶ֥גֶל בְּרָֽגֶל
Your eye shall not pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
The five-fold נֶפֶשׁ בְּנֶפֶשׁ...רֶגֶל בְּרֶגֶל formula (paralleling Exod 21:23-25; Lev 24:19-20) generalizes v. 19's principle beyond the false-witness case into a fixed standard of proportional, court-administered penalty — a ceiling on retribution, not a license for it, closing the chapter's arc from asylum to talion under a single logic of measured justice.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תָחוֹסלֹא (H3808) with וְ, repeating v. 13's prohibition to close the chapter.
תָח֖וֹסshall pityQal impf 3fs · חוּס (H2347)Predicate verb (main clause prohibition)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/jussive force, closing the chapter's final commandחוּס (H2347) 'to pity'; verbatim repetition of v. 13's formula, now generalized beyond the false-witness case to the talion principle itself.
עֵינֶ֑ךָyour eyeN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Subject of תָחוֹסעַיִן (H5869) 'eye' + 2ms suffix; the same idiom as v. 13, forbidding merciful leniency.
נֶ֣פֶשׁlifeN c sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)First member of the talion formula (nominative of equivalence)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life'; opens the five-part talion formula, the most severe pairing (capital cases).
בְּנֶ֗פֶשׁfor lifeprep בְּ + N c sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Complement of equivalence completing the first pairנֶפֶשׁ (H5315), repeated with בְּ, 'in exchange for/for' — the standard idiom for proportional exchange (cf. Exod 21:23; Lev 24:18).
עַ֤יִןeyeN c sg abs · עַיִן (H5869)Second member of the talion formulaעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; the second, most famous pairing of the formula.
בְּעַ֨יִן֙for eyeprep בְּ + N c sg abs · עַיִן (H5869)Complement of equivalence completing the second pairעַיִן (H5869), repeated with בְּ, 'for an eye'.
שֵׁ֣ןtoothN c sg abs · שֵׁן (H8127)Third member of the talion formulaשֵׁן (H8127) 'tooth'; the third pairing (cf. Exod 21:24, of an injured slave).
בְּשֵׁ֔ןfor toothprep בְּ + N c sg abs · שֵׁן (H8127)Complement of equivalence completing the third pairשֵׁן (H8127), repeated with בְּ.
יָ֥דhandN c sg abs · יָד (H3027)Fourth member of the talion formulaיָד (H3027) 'hand'; the fourth pairing.
בְּיָ֖דfor handprep בְּ + N c sg abs · יָד (H3027)Complement of equivalence completing the fourth pairיָד (H3027), repeated with בְּ.
רֶ֥גֶלfootN f sg abs · רֶגֶל (H7272)Fifth and final member of the talion formulaרֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot'; the fifth and closing pairing, completing the formula's escalation from the whole life down to specific bodily members.
בְּרָֽגֶלfor footprep בְּ + N f sg abs · רֶגֶל (H7272)Complement of equivalence completing the fifth pair, closing the chapterרֶגֶל (H7272), repeated with בְּ; the chapter's closing word states, in fixed formulaic brevity, the principle of exact, bounded, judicially administered proportionality — a ceiling on retribution, not its incitement.