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19:11 The Hebrew term rendered is hostile (literally is a hater) indicates a constant and long-standing hateful attitude, which constituted evidence that the killer was predisposed to commit a crime and therefore probably did it.
19:1-13 Cities of refuge (19:2) were strategically located throughout the land so those accused of homicide could find protective sanctuary until their cases came to trial (see 4:41; Num 35:6-29).
19:13 Purge (literally burn): The only way for the land to be free of culpability in matters of homicide was for blood vengeance to be enacted, which would burn out the impurity. See also 13:5; 17:12.
19:15 The word of one witness alone would count no more than the word of the accused. However, two or three witnesses would confirm or discount each other’s testimony. For New Testament references to this law, see Matt 18:15-20; John 8:17-18; 2 Cor 13:1-2 and study note.
genesis 4:15
genesis 9:6
genesis 9:6
exodus 21:23
leviticus 24:20
numbers 35:6-29
numbers 35:6-34
numbers 35:13-14
The Cities of Refuge
The Cities of Refuge The cities of refuge were built to protect innocent people from blood revenge. An avenger had the legal right to put a murderer to death (Num 35:19; see Gen 9:6). If a person caused someone’s death accidentally, the slayer fled to a city of refuge to find temporary safety while awaiting trial (Num 35:22-28). The six cities of refuge were distributed across Hebrew territory so that any Israelite could seek asylum. If, after trial, the fugitive was convicted of murder (instead of involuntary manslaughter), he was turned over to the avenger and received his due punishment (Deut 19:12). If he was found innocent of murder, the slayer remained in the city of refuge, where he was granted asylum. When the high priest died, the slayer was free to return home and was no longer subject to blood revenge. This merciful legal arrangement protected the land from further pollution by innocent blood (see Num 35:33). It was not acceptable to pay a fine to atone for the death of another human being, even if that death was not premeditated (Num 35:31-33). Human life was too precious to be ransomed with a simple payment. When a human being was killed, whether deliberately...