Deut. 19 The rehearsal of the cities of refuge for him that killeth his neighbour ignorantly, Deut. 19:1–10; but he that hateth and killeth his neighbour, though fled into one of these cities, must die, Deut. 19:11–13. No removing of old land-marks, Deut. 19:14. The number of witnesses, Deut.

In the midst of thy land, to wit, beyond Jordan, as there were three already appointed on this side Jordan, Num. 35:14. He saith, in the midst of the land, either for in the land, as in the midst of the city, Jer.

Thou shalt prepare thee a way; distinguish it by evident marks, and make it plain and convenient, to prevent mistakes and delays. Into three parts; not into more, because it was fit that these places should, as far as it was possible, be at some considerable distance from the friends of the slain…

This verse is to be joined with Deut. 19:3, as is evident, the 4th and 5th verses coming in as a parenthesis, which is usual in Scripture and other authors. And slay him; which is supposed, but not allowed, as appears from the following words.

Enlarge thy coast, as far as Euphrates. See Gen. 15:18, Ex. 23:31, Deut. 1:7.

The elders of his city; either of the slain person, who were most likely to prosecute the murderer; or of the murderer, because God would oblige even his own fellow citizens to prosecute him to death, that it might appear how hateful murder and the murderer is to God, and ought to be to all men.

Thy neighbour’s land-mark; by which the several portions of land distributed to several families were distinguished one from another. See Job 24:2, Prov. 22:28, Hos. 5:10.

Shall not rise up, or, not stand, or, not be established, accepted, owned as sufficient: it is the same word which in the end of the verse is rendered be established.

A single witness, though he speak truth, is not to be accepted for the condemnation of another man; but if he be convicted of false witness, this is sufficient for his own condemnation.

See Poole “Deut. 17:9, Deut. 17:12”, and observe that the controversies both here and there referred to, and to be determined by the priests and judges, are only between man and man, and not doctrines of faith and manners, as the papists for their own advantage pretend.

Those which remain, i.e. the rest of the people. See Deut. 13:11, Deut. 17:13.

What punishment he intended or the law allotted to the accused, if he had been convicted, the same shall the false accuser bear. Of this law see on Ex. 21:23, Lev. 24:20