that the man slayer who kills any person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there. They shall be to you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
Parallel translations
- KJV That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
- BSB so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
- NKJV that the slayer who kills a person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
- NASB so that one who commits manslaughter by killing a person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become your refuge from the avenger of blood.
- NLT Anyone who kills another person accidentally and unintentionally can run to one of these cities; they will be places of refuge from relatives seeking revenge for the person who was killed.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The cities of refuge let a person who kills accidentally flee from the avenger of blood. They protect the innocent from premature vengeance.
Overview
In Israel's society, the 'avenger of blood' (a kinsman) bore responsibility to requite a killing, but accidental death required mercy, not retribution. These cities provided a refuge where the unintentional manslayer could be safe until justice was rendered. The distinction between intentional and accidental killing reflects God's righteous standard, and the refuge itself foreshadows the safety found in Christ from the just penalty of sin.
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Original language
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