10 Whenever any controversy shall come to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them, that they not be guilty towards Yahweh, and so wrath come on you and on your brothers. Do this, and you shall not be guilty.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
The Jews who "dwelt in the cities," if dissatisfied with the decision given by the provincial judges, might therefore remove the cause to Jerusalem, as to a court of appeal.
Between blood and blood - Cases of man-slaughter or accidental murder, or cases of consanguinity, the settlement of inheritance, family claims, etc.
Between law and commandment - Whatsoever concerns the moral precepts, rites, and ceremonies, of the law, or whatsoever belongs to civil affairs.
And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between (f) blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and [so] (g) wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
(f) That is, to decide whether or not the murder was done on purpose, (Numbers 35:11, Deuteronomy 4:41).
(g) Meaning, that God would punish them most sharply if they would not execute justice correctly.
And what cause soever shall come unto you of your brethren that dwell in their cities,.... Whether sacred or civil, that should come before them by way of appeal from, inferior courts in the country, where they could not be determined:
between blood and blood; one relation and another, or with respect to shedding of blood, whether ignorantly or purposely:
between law and commandment, statutes and judgments; not rightly understood, and so pleaded on both sides:
ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord; the persons engaged in controversy, that they take no false oath, nor bear false testimony, and act not stubbornly against any of the laws, when explained in court unto them:
and so wrath come upon you and your children; upon judges for the neglect of their duty in giving due warning, and upon the people for not taking it when given:
this do, and ye shall not trespass; if the above charge in all its parts is strictly attended to.
Blood - This refers to Deuteronomy 17:8, between the blood of the person slain, and the blood of the man - slayer. All the cities of refuge, except Hebron, now belonged to the kingdom of Israel, so that the man - slayer now usually fled to the courts of the temple, or the horns of the altar. And therefore the trial of these, was reserved for the court at Jerusalem. Law, &c. - When any debates shall arise about the meaning of any of God's laws. Warn - Ye shall not only give a righteous sentence for what is past, but ye shall admonish the offender, and others, to take better heed for the future.
*More commentary available at chapter level.