Joshua 20:5

Verse

Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the manslayer into his hand, because that man killed his neighbor accidentally without prior malice.

American Standard Version (1901)

And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver up the manslayer into his hand; because he smote his neighbor unawares, and hated him not beforetime.

Bible in Basic English

And if the one who has the right of punishment comes after him, they are not to give the taker of life up to him; because he was the cause of his neighbour's death without designing it and not in hate.

Free Bible Version

If the one seeking revenge comes looking for the man, they must not hand the one who committed manslaughter over to him, because he killed someone unintentionally and without deliberate hatred.

Geneva Bible 1599

And if the auenger of blood pursue after him, they shall not deliuer the slaier into his hand because hee smote his neighbour ignorantly, neither hated he him before time:

King James (Authorized) Version

And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.

Translation for Translators

If some relative of the one who was killed comes to that city to get revenge, the leaders of that city must not allow the relative to take the killer, because what happened was accidental. He did not hate that person and as a result deliberately kill him.

Unlocked Literal Bible

If one of them comes to try to avenge the blood of the person who was killed, then the people of the city must not hand the one who killed him over to the authorities. They must not do this because he killed his neighbor unintentionally, and he had no hatred toward him in the past.

Noah Webster Bible

And if the avenger of blood shall pursue him, then they shall not deliver the slayer into his hand; because he smote his neighbor ignorantly, and had not hated him before.

World English Bible

If the avenger of blood pursues him, then they shall not deliver up the man slayer into his hand; because he struck his neighbor unintentionally, and didn’t hate him before.

Young's Literal Translation

'And when the redeemer of blood doth pursue after him, then they do not shut up the man-slayer into his hand, for without knowledge he hath smitten his neighbour, and is not hating him hitherto;

Context

Six Cities of Refuge

⁴When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them.⁵Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the manslayer into his hand, because that man killed his neighbor accidentally without prior malice.⁶He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the manslayer may return to his own home in the city from which he fled.”

Summary

In Joshua 20:5, God instructs the Israelites to establish cities of refuge, where those who unintentionally cause the death of another person can find safety from avengers seeking retribution. This provision demonstrates God's justice tempered with mercy, providing a way for the unintentional offender to escape harm and receive a fair trial. The cities of refuge serve as a reminder of God's compassion and the importance of upholding justice in society, reflecting His desire for both righteousness and forgiveness in dealing with human frailty.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And if the avenger of blood pursue after him,.... To the city of refuge, whither he is fled, and demand him: then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hands; to be slain by him, but shall protect him: because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime; See Gill on Num 35:22; see Gill on Num 35:23, and See Gill on Deu 19:6.