Deuteronomy 19:8

Deu 19:8 And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;

Ver. 8. And give thee all the land.] From Nile to Euphrates; {Gen 15:18} which by reason of their sins he never did. Pray we with Jabez, {1Ch 4:10} "Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast (my heart), and that thine hand might be with me," &c. "When thou shalt have enlarged mine heart," saith David, "then will I run the way of thy commandments." {Psa 119:32}

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Deu 19:8-9. If the Lord thy God enlarge thy coast — As far as the Euphrates. If thou shalt keep all these commandments — This shows that the promise of enlarging their border was conditional, and the condition not being performed the promise was never accomplished, so that there was no need for three more cities of refuge. This the Jewish writers themselves own. “Yet the holy blessed God,” say they, “did not command it in vain, for in the days of Messiah the Prince, they shall be added.” They expect it in the letter: but we know it has in Christ its spiritual accomplishment. For the borders of the gospel Israel are enlarged according to the promise: and in the Lord our righteousness, refuge is provided for all that by faith flee to him.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

When thou goest over Jordan to possess the whole land of Canaan.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

And if the Lord thy God enlarge thy coast--Three additional sanctuaries were to be established in the event of their territory extending over the country from Hermon and Gilead to the Euphrates (see Gen 15:18; Exo 23:31). But it was obscurely hinted that this last provision would never be carried into effect, as the Israelites would not fulfil the conditions, namely, "that of keeping the commandments, to love the Lord, and walk ever in his ways." In point of fact, although that region was brought into subjection by David and Solomon, we do not find that cities of refuge were established; because those sovereigns only made the ancient inhabitants tributary, instead of sending a colony of Israelites to possess it. The privilege of sanctuary cities, however, was given only for Israelites; and besides, that conquered territory did not remain long under the power of the Hebrew kings.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

8. enlarge thy border] See on Deu_12:20, and the introd. to this law.

as he hath sworn, etc.] See on Deu_1:8.

and give thee … thy fathers] Redundant after previous clause, and (though confirmed by LXX B and other Codd.) probably not original, Luc. omits. The readings here differ much in the versions and their Codd. shewing how readily scribes altered and expanded the text.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day,.... A phrase often met with before, and signifies the putting in practice the several laws, moral, ceremonial, and judicial, which Moses was now making a repetition of, and enjoining the observance of them by a divine authority:

to love the Lord thy God; which is the source and spring of genuine obedience to the commands of God:

and to walk ever in his ways; noting constancy and perseverance in them; now all this is mentioned as the condition of the enlargement of their coast, which would be the case if a due and constant regard was had to the laws of God:

and then shall thou add three cities more besides these three; three more in the land of Canaan, besides the three now ordered to be separated in it, and besides the three on the other side of Jordan; so that there would have been nine in all, if these had been ever added; but that time never came: the Jews expect the addition of these three cities in the days of the Messiah (y) but the Messiah is already come, and all those cities, as they were typical of him, have had their accomplishment in him the antitype of them, of which See Gill on Num 35:29.

(y) Maimon. Hilchot Rotzeach, c. 8. sect. 4.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

And when. Septuagint, "but if." This condition was never fulfilled, at all times; (ver. 9,) and therefore the Israelites could blame only themselves, if the promises which God had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, (Genesis xv., xxvi., xxviii., and xxxv.,) were not realized. (Haydock) --- Though the country was conquered under David and Solomon, the Israelites did not drive out the former inhabitants, (Calmet) nor did they keep possession for any long time. (Haydock)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Enlarge thy coast, as far as Euphrates. See Gen 15:18; Exo 23:31; Deu 1:7.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

8-10. Then shalt thou add — Here are directions for three additional cities of refuge in case the boundaries of the nation, should be in the future extended.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Vers. 8, 9. In case their land should be extended, in ease they should come to possess the whole territory promised by God to the patriarchs, so that their domain should reach from the Nile to the Euphrates (Gen_15:18) an event which should be realized only if they should continue steadfast in their obedience to all that God had enjoined upon them, and an event which in point of fact never was realized, for even under David and Solomon there were extensive territories within these limits which were not incorporated with the kingdom of Israel in that case they were to add other three cities of refuge to those already appointed.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Enlarge thy coast - As far as Euphrates.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

General Information:

Moses is still speaking to the people of Israel.

enlarges your borders

"gives you more land to possess"

as he has sworn to your ancestors to do

"like he promised your ancestors that he would do"

if you keep all these commandments to do them

"if you obey all these commandments"

to always walk in his ways

How God wants a person to live or behave is spoken of as if it were Yahweh's way or road. A person who obeys Yahweh is spoken of as if he were walking on Yahweh's way or road. AT: "to always obey him" (See: Metaphor)

then you must add three more cities for yourself

The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. AT: "then you must choose three more cities for a person to escape to if he accidentally kills someone" (See: Numbers and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

besides these three

"in addition to the three cities you already established" (See: Numbers)

Do this so that innocent blood is not shed

This can be stated in active form. AT: "Do this so that family members do not kill an innocent person" (See: Active or Passive)

innocent blood is not shed

Here "blood" represents a person's life. To shed blood means to kill a person. This can be stated in active form. AT: "no one kills an innocent person" (See: Metonymy and Active or Passive)

in the midst of the land

"in the land" or "in the territory"

Yahweh your God is giving you for as an inheritance

The land that Yahweh is giving the people of Israel is spoken of as if it were an inheritance. (See: Metaphor)

so that no bloodguilt may be on you

The people of Israel being guilty for a person dying because they did not build a city where he would be safe from the "blood avenger" is spoken of as if the guilt of his death is on them. (See: Metaphor)

bloodguilt

Here "blood" represents a life and "bloodguilt" refers to the guilt someone has for killing an innocent person. (See: Metonymy)

may be on you

This means that if a family member kills an innocent person, then all the people of Israel will be guilty for letting that happen.

translationWords

oath

promise

love

walk

innocent

blood

inherit

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

ואם ירחיב … כאשר נשבע AND IF [THE LORD THY GOD] ENLARGE [THY TERRITORY], AS HE HATH SWORN [UNTO THY FATHERS] to give thee the land of the Kenite, the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite (Sifrei Devarim 184:3).

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.

AND IF THE ETERNAL THY G-D ENLARGE THY BORDER. This section deals with a future event, and I have already mentioned it in the section [i.e., the Seder] of Behold, I set before you. For first he stated, When the Eternal thy G-d shall cut off the nations, whose land the Eternal giveth thee, the expression whose land the Eternal giveth thee referring to all the seven nations that He mentions everywhere. So also he speaks with reference to them, And the Eternal thy G-d will cast out those nations before thee;, 7:22. whereas for the wickedness of these nations;, 9:4. and the Eternal will drive out all these nations from before you;, 11:23. but of the cities of these peoples, and so also in many other places. And now he commanded that after taking possession of their land and dwelling in it, he shall set aside three cities, completing [the performance of] the commandment with their designation, as He said there, there shall be for you six cities of refuge, and He further said, Ye shall give three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan., Verse 14. And since the three cities beyond the Jordan eastward had already been set aside by Moses (above, 4:41), the designation of the three cities in the land of Canaan thus completed the fulfillment of this commandment. He did not command in the Torah that there be more than these six cities. Similarly all commandments of the Torah that become binding after taking possession and settling upon [the Land] become obligatory after the conquest of these seven nations. Only regarding this commandment, however, he added here, And if the Eternal thy G-d enlarge thy border and he did not say “as He hath promised thee,” as he said in the section, When the Eternal thy G-d shall enlarge thy border, as He hath promised thee with reference to meat of a secular meal. This was because G-d did not promise them anywhere to give them [land] except for [that of] these seven nations. However, here he mentioned the patriarchs, as he said, And if the Eternal thy G-d enlarge thy border, as He hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which He promised to give unto thy fathers, this being an allusion to all ten nations that were promised to Abraham.Now he made here a condition, if thou shalt [in time to come] keep all this commandment to do it etc. [then another three cities of refuge would be designated in addition to the six already discussed in Scripture]. Now it is clear that they will not inherit even the seven nations if they transgress the Torah as he has said many times — hearken unto the statutes etc. that ye may live, and go in and possess the Land; and thou shalt write upon them all the words of this Law etc. that thou mayest go in unto the Land; For if ye shall diligently keep all this commandment etc., then will the Eternal drive out all these nations from before you. And when Achan, who was but an individual, transgressed the devoted thing, it was stated, Therefore the children of Israel cannot stand before their enemies, they turn their backs before their enemies., 7:12. If so, [the question arises], why was this condition made only concerning these three cities, stating, And if the Eternal thy G-d enlarge thy border etc. if thou shalt keep all this commandment [when the conquest of the seven nations is also conditional upon observing the Torah]? The reason for this is, that it was the Divine Will before Him, blessed be He, that yet in the days of Moses and Joshua, He would give them possession of the lands of the seven nations which He had promised them while they were still in Egypt and in the wilderness, 34:11. because it was known to Him that they were deserving [of the lands] by virtue of their merits. Therefore He obligated them in the observance of all commandments upon the conquest of these [nations], and He further obligated them [in the commandment] of the six cities of refuge, and so Joshua designated [the cities]. But concerning the three remaining ones he made a condition, if thou shalt keep all this commandment etc. to love the Eternal thy G-d, and to walk forever in His ways etc., that is to say, that they would all observe the entire Torah, [they would then become obligated to set aside three additional cities]. There is no commandment dependent upon this condition except for [the designation] of these three cities.But what reason was there to state, if thou shalt keep all this commandment etc. to walk ‘kol hayamim’ (forever) in His ways — then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, for who knows what will ever happen afterwards? Now Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra commented: “kol hayamim — [all the days] without interruption between them.” This is not correct. Rather, the purport of the verse is as follows: “If thou shalt keep all this commandment, when your merit attains a degree that you will keep all the commandments, loving G-d with a perfect everlasting love, so that it should be apparent to Him that you will never again sin, then He will broaden your boundary and give you all the [ten] nations [He promised to Abraham].” This is a reference to the days of which he said, And the Eternal thy G-d will open thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, the expression the heart of thy seed indicating [the people of] all future days, similar to what is written in the Prophets, And I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever; for the good of them, and of their children after them; and I will make an everlasting covenant with them etc., and I will put My fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from Me. Then when He shall make an everlasting covenant with them they will set aside these three cities [as cities of refuge].

Ramban (Nachmanides) on the Tanakh — English translation: “Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.