Definition: And this [is] the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Deuteronomy 19:4. It’s a pretty important verse about responsibility and justice. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that if someone kills another person, they must flee to safety. But there's a crucial catch – they must do this because they were angry or hated the person before they killed them. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And this is the case of the slayer…” This tells us we’re talking about someone who has committed murder (killing another human being). “…which shall flee thither, that he may live:” This means they must leave the area where they killed the person. It's a command to escape. “Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;” This is the key part. Let’s break it down further: “Whoso…” This means "whoever" or "that whoever..." “…killeth his neighbour…” This is a direct reference to killing someone who isn't your neighbor – someone you don’t know, or who lives in a different place. "...ignorant..." This is the important part! It means they killed the person without thinking about it. They weren’t careful and didn’t consider that their actions might be wrong. “…whom he hated not in time past;” This means they haven't been angry or hateful towards this person for a long time. It suggests there was a reason for the anger, but it doesn’t excuse the act of killing. So, what does it mean practically? The verse essentially says that killing someone you hate, without thinking about it, is wrong. It's a warning against rash actions and encourages careful thought before taking a life. It emphasizes the importance of considering the consequences of your actions. Why is this important in the Bible? This verse highlights several key themes: Responsibility: We are responsible for our actions, especially when we harm others. Thoughtfulness: It stresses that violence should be avoided and carefully considered. Justice: It points towards a moral obligation to seek justice – to make amends for wrongdoing. In short, Deuteronomy 19:4 is a reminder to think before you act, especially when anger or hatred might be the cause of your actions. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you some examples of situations where this principle applies? Compare it to another relevant Bible passage?