Deuteronomy 4:42 - that the man slayer might flee there, who kills his neighbor unawares, and didn’t hate him in time past; and that fleeing to one of these cities he might live:
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What does "Deuteronomy 4:42" mean?
This verse, Deuteronomy 4:42, is part of a broader passage in the Bible discussing the establishment of cities of refuge. It essentially outlines a specific reason for these cities and who they were designed to protect. Let's break it down:
"that the man slayer might flee there": This refers to someone who has killed another person. The term "man slayer" or "manslayer" is used to describe someone who has taken a human life.
"who kills his neighbor unawares": This specifies the type of killing. It wasn't a premeditated, intentional murder. It was an accidental or unintentional killing. Think of something like a construction worker who accidently drops an object that results in someone dying, or chopping wood and the axe head flying off and hitting someone.
"and didn’t hate him in time past": This further clarifies that the killing wasn't fueled by prior animosity or malice. The person who caused the death hadn't harbored any ill feelings or hatred towards the deceased before the incident. This reinforces the idea that it was an accident, not a crime of passion or revenge.
"and that fleeing to one of these cities he might live": This explains the purpose of the cities of refuge. If someone committed unintentional manslaughter under the described circumstances, they could flee to one of these designated cities and be protected from blood vengeance. In ancient Israelite society, the deceased's family had the right to seek retribution. The city of refuge offered the manslayer a place of safety until their case could be judged fairly. If it was determined that the killing was indeed accidental and without malice, the manslayer could remain in the city of refuge, shielded from the victim's avengers.
In essence, the verse is establishing a system of justice that differentiates between intentional murder and accidental manslaughter. The cities of refuge were a means of protecting individuals who had unintentionally caused someone's death from being subjected to potentially excessive or unjust revenge. The individual still needed to flee and be judged, but they were afforded a measure of safety while the matter was resolved.
The purpose of the cities of refuge was to provide a fair legal process and to prevent blood feuds that could destabilize the community. It was a recognition that not all killings are the same, and that justice should be tempered with mercy in cases of accidental death.
Deuteronomy 4:42 - that the man slayer might flee there, who kills his neighbor unawares, and didn’t hate him in time past; and that fleeing to one of these cities he might live:
What does "Deuteronomy 4:42" mean?
This verse, Deuteronomy 4:42, is part of a broader passage in the Bible discussing the establishment of cities of refuge. It essentially outlines a specific reason for these cities and who they were designed to protect. Let's break it down:
"that the man slayer might flee there": This refers to someone who has killed another person. The term "man slayer" or "manslayer" is used to describe someone who has taken a human life.
"who kills his neighbor unawares": This specifies the type of killing. It wasn't a premeditated, intentional murder. It was an accidental or unintentional killing. Think of something like a construction worker who accidently drops an object that results in someone dying, or chopping wood and the axe head flying off and hitting someone.
"and didn’t hate him in time past": This further clarifies that the killing wasn't fueled by prior animosity or malice. The person who caused the death hadn't harbored any ill feelings or hatred towards the deceased before the incident. This reinforces the idea that it was an accident, not a crime of passion or revenge.
"and that fleeing to one of these cities he might live": This explains the purpose of the cities of refuge. If someone committed unintentional manslaughter under the described circumstances, they could flee to one of these designated cities and be protected from blood vengeance. In ancient Israelite society, the deceased's family had the right to seek retribution. The city of refuge offered the manslayer a place of safety until their case could be judged fairly. If it was determined that the killing was indeed accidental and without malice, the manslayer could remain in the city of refuge, shielded from the victim's avengers.
In essence, the verse is establishing a system of justice that differentiates between intentional murder and accidental manslaughter. The cities of refuge were a means of protecting individuals who had unintentionally caused someone's death from being subjected to potentially excessive or unjust revenge. The individual still needed to flee and be judged, but they were afforded a measure of safety while the matter was resolved.
The purpose of the cities of refuge was to provide a fair legal process and to prevent blood feuds that could destabilize the community. It was a recognition that not all killings are the same, and that justice should be tempered with mercy in cases of accidental death.