Definition: As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 19:5. It's a pretty serious passage about taking things that aren’t yours and harming others. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Imagine someone is trespassing on your land – they are chopping wood without permission. They accidentally cut down a tree, and then they leave a piece of their axe lying there. This happens again and again, and it continues until someone dies. What the Verse Says - A Warning: Deuteronomy 19:5 warns against this kind of behavior – taking something that doesn’t belong to you without permission, and causing harm or death to someone else. It’s saying that this action is a serious transgression against God's laws. Let’s unpack the key parts: “As when a man goeth into the wood…” : This sets up a scenario – a person entering a forest (a place of wilderness) with another person. “…with his neighbour to hew wood” : This means they are working together, like two people helping each other build something. “And his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree…” : This is the action that’s wrong – taking a piece of the tree. “…and the head slippeth from the helve” : This is a bit tricky, but it means the leader of the group (the person who's leading) accidentally drops off a crucial part of the tree – their leadership or authority. “and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die” : This is the consequence. The leader’s actions cause someone else to die. “He shall flee unto one of those cities…” : This means they have to run away! The Overall Meaning: The verse highlights a serious principle: Respect boundaries and laws. It's about taking what isn't yours, causing harm, and potentially leading to someone’s death. It’s a reminder that we are responsible for our actions and should always respect the rights of others. Why is this important? This verse speaks to the importance of: Justice: Treating everyone fairly. Order & Stability: Maintaining peace and preventing chaos. God's Law: Following God’s rules and guidelines. In short, it's a warning against taking things that don't belong to you without permission, and the consequences of doing so. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Connect it to a specific biblical story or concept?