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NASB | Deuteronomy 4:41 ¶ Then Moses set apart three cities across the Jordan to the east, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Deuteronomy 4:41 ¶ Then Moses set apart three cities [of refuge] beyond the Jordan toward the rising of the sun (eastward), |
Bible Question:
Cities of Refuge Deut 4:41-42 Then Moses set aside three cities east of the Jordan,to which anyone who had killed a person could flee if he had unintentionally killed his neighbor without malice aforethought.He could flee into one of these cities and save his life. Why were they alowed to get away with murder? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Claire B.! Based upon our legal code, they weren't allowed to get away with murder, which is defined as killing with forethought. However, they were protected from being killed by others for an accidental death. Here is what the Bible Knowledge Commentary says about Deut. 19:4-7 (a related passage): *********************************** These cities were to be 'set aside' (v. 2) to prevent any further calamity from arising from a tragic situation. Only a person who killed his neighbor unintentionally, without malice (v. 4) could flee to one of these cities and save his life (v. 5). These cities offered protection from an avenger of blood. The word translated 'avenger of blood' is ... A ... was essentially a 'family protector.' He was a 'near kinsman' (traditionally understood as the nearest male relative) responsible for redeeming (buying) a relative out of slavery (Lev. 25:48-49), for redeeming a relative’s property (Lev. 25:26-33), for marrying a relative’s widow and raising up children in the name of the deceased (Ruth 3:13; 4:5-10), and for avenging the death of a relative (Num. 35:19-28). One who killed his neighbor unintentionally (e.g., by an ax . . . head that accidentally flew off the handle and hit and killed his neighbor) had to stay in the city of refuge until the death of the current high priest. The elders of that city were obligated to protect him from the avenger of blood (Num. 35:25). If the person guilty of manslaughter left the city before the high priest’s death then the avenger could kill him 'without being guilty of murder' (Num. 35:27). The cities of refuge taught Israel how important life is to God. Even though a man had killed his neighbor accidentally he still had to give up a large measure of his freedom for an extended period of time. *********************************** I hope this helps! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Deut 4:41 | Author | ||
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Claire B | ||
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Morant61 |