And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.
And if the family member seeking revenge comes after him, the city leaders must not hand over the person who caused the death. This is because he killed his neighbor by accident, without any previous hatred toward him.
God is protecting people who accidentally kill someone from being handed over to vengeful family members, as long as it was truly unintentional and without malice.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of Joshua, after the Israelites had conquered the Promised Land, God instructed them to designate cities of refuge as part of the laws given in the Torah. These cities served as safe places for individuals who accidentally caused someone's death, shielding them from the avenger of blood, a family member seeking retribution based on ancient tribal customs. This system ensured that justice was determined through community leaders rather than personal vengeance, reflecting God's emphasis on fairness in Israelite society.
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