And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
The community must protect the person who accidentally killed someone from the victim's family member who wants revenge. They must bring him back safely to the city of refuge where he had fled for protection. He must stay there until the high priest who was anointed with holy oil dies.
This verse explains that someone who accidentally killed another person would be protected by the community and required to stay in a designated safe city until the current high priest died.
📚 Historical Context
God established six cities of refuge in Israel where people who committed accidental manslaughter could flee for protection from the victim's family, who had the legal right to seek revenge under ancient law. This system provided both justice and mercy, distinguishing between intentional murder and accidental death. The death of the high priest served as a kind of reset, allowing the manslayer to return home without fear of revenge.
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