👉 But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 19:11. It’s a pretty serious warning about taking revenge on someone who hates you. Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is saying that if someone deliberately and maliciously plots to harm you – especially if they actively wait for you and then strike you with violence – it’s absolutely wrong, and you have a moral obligation to defend yourself. It’s essentially a command to protect yourself when someone is actively trying to hurt you. Let's unpack the details: “But if any man hate his neighbour…” This establishes the foundation of the situation: someone harbors hatred towards you. It’s not just a passing disagreement; it’s a deep-seated, malicious dislike. “…and lie in wait for him…” This means they're deliberately planning to harm you. They’re setting themselves up to attack you. “And rise up against him…” They are actively attacking you. “…and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities.” This is the most brutal part. “Smite him mortally” means to kill him with extreme violence – a truly awful punishment. "Fleeth into one of these cities" means they’ll run away and hide in a nearby town or city. What does this mean practically? It's about protection: The verse emphasizes that you have a responsibility to defend yourself against those who hate you. It's not enough to just ignore them; you need to actively protect yourself. It’s a consequence of hatred: The verse suggests that harboring hatred towards someone is a direct cause for this kind of action. It’s like planting a seed – it allows something terrible to grow. Important Context (Briefly): This passage comes before another important law in Deuteronomy, which gives the Israelites specific rules about how to treat their enemies. It's a reminder that violence is never the right answer and that you should strive for peaceful resolution whenever possible. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a religious advisor. This explanation is based on my understanding of biblical text and is intended for informational purposes only. If you need spiritual guidance or have questions about faith, please consult with a qualified religious leader. Would you like me to: Explain another part of the verse? Discuss the context behind this passage in more detail?
