The shedding of blood defiled the land where the Lord dwelt. Therefore, the Lord made provision for the one who killed another by accident. The one who killed with premeditation was to be put to death. There was no mercy given.
But mercy was given to the one who killed by accident. God set aside six cities of refuge, three on each side of the Jordan River, where one who killed accidently could flee to and live, and be protected from the person who would seek to avenge the blood of the one killed - usually a close relative. That man had to stay in the city until the high priest of that city died. Then he would be free to return home. If he left the city before the priest died, he could legally be killed by the Avenger of Blood.
2 comments:
Hello Nate -
I have been thinking of the cities of refuge. Where these cities only set aside for the Levites? Did other tribes have cities of refuge? Did others live in these cities of refuge besides the ones that ran there?? They were free to leave; completely innocent only after the high priest died. Did each city have their own high priests? Or was it the high priest of where the accident killing took place? What if a person really killed someone (not accidently) and ran there? Does that mean that they were in need of witnesses? Could that person go to the city of refuge with family members? Are there historical records of these cities? Sorry for all the questions, but I have been wondering about this and I was waiting to get to this chapter to ask my questions. Thank you for being here for us. Stacie.
Okay Stacie, I will answer your questions in order:
Yes, these cities were set apart only for Levites and their families.
Only Levites had cities of refuge. But the cities of refuge were in the aloted lands of six of the tribes, three to the East of the Jordan, and three to the West.
Yes, each city had its own city elders and high priest. It was the elders and high priest of the city of refuge that judged the guilty party as to whether it was accidental or premeditative.
One who killed on purpose, premeditatively, was killed. However, when a person killed another, it had to be determined if it was done on purpose. When a person killed someone and ran to a city of refuge a trial was held and it was determined if it was done on purpose. And yes, this did require witnesses.
I don't know if family members could accompany the guilty party. However, there was no prohibitions against it.
There are historical records of some of the cities, and I believe some of them exist today, e.g., Hebron. However, are there records of people who fled to them? I don't know.
You are one of the few that really question the Scriptures and that is good. I am sure that God approves of your efforts and will reward you with wisdom and peace.
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