Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.
This prevents someone seeking revenge from chasing after the person who accidentally killed someone. If their anger is burning hot and they catch up with the killer because the distance to safety is too far, they might kill him - even though he doesn't deserve to die, since he never had hatred toward the victim before.
This verse explains why cities of refuge needed to be close enough for someone who accidentally killed another person to reach safety before an angry relative could catch and kill them in revenge.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israelite society, the law of Moses established cities of refuge to protect individuals who had accidentally killed someone from being pursued and killed by a relative seeking blood vengeance. This provision was designed to prevent hasty retaliation driven by emotion, ensuring that judgments were made through proper legal processes rather than personal vendettas. It reflected God's emphasis on justice, mercy, and the avoidance of unnecessary bloodshed in a culture where family honor and tribal conflicts were common.
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