Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
Or if someone hits another person with their hand out of hatred, and that person dies, then the one who struck the fatal blow must be put to death because he is a murderer. The family member seeking justice for the victim's blood may kill the murderer when he finds him.
This verse explains that intentional killing motivated by hatred is murder, and the murderer deserves death as punishment.
📚 Historical Context
In the context of the Old Testament, the Book of Numbers records laws given by God to Moses for the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, establishing a system of justice amid their nomadic and settling society. This specific verse addresses intentional murder, emphasizing that the perpetrator must be put to death by the avenger of blood, a relative of the victim, to ensure accountability and prevent ongoing cycles of vengeance. These laws reflected the cultural need for order in a tribal community where personal retribution could easily escalate into chaos.
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