Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.
You must prepare roads and divide the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance into three parts, so that anyone who accidentally kills someone can flee there for safety.
God is instructing the Israelites to set up a system of safe places where people who accidentally kill someone can find protection from revenge.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of Moses, as the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, God gave laws to establish a just society, including the creation of cities of refuge. These cities were designated safe havens for individuals who had accidentally caused someone's death, protecting them from clan-based revenge that was common in ancient Near Eastern cultures. This command ensured that trials were conducted fairly under God's law rather than through impulsive retaliation.
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