That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:
So that anyone who accidentally killed their neighbor could run there for safety, someone who killed without meaning to and had no previous hatred toward the person. By fleeing to one of these cities, they could save their life.
This verse explains that the cities of refuge were designed to protect people who accidentally killed someone from being killed in revenge.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative, Moses was delivering laws to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. God commanded the establishment of cities of refuge to protect individuals who accidentally killed someone, ensuring they could flee there to avoid revenge from the victim's family. This system was part of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing God's balance of justice and mercy in a society prone to cycles of vengeance.
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