Joshua 20:5 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.

◄ Joshua 20:5 ►

New International Version
If the avenger of blood comes in pursuit, the elders must not surrender the fugitive, because the fugitive killed their neighbor unintentionally and without malice aforethought.

New Living Translation
If the relatives of the victim come to avenge the killing, the leaders must not release the slayer to them, for he killed the other person unintentionally and without previous hostility.

English Standard Version
And if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not give up the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unknowingly, and did not hate him in the past.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not deliver the slayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unintentionally, but did not hate him beforehand.

New American Standard Bible
Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, then they are not to hand the one who committed manslaughter over to him, since he struck his neighbor without premeditation and did not hate him previously.

NASB 1995
‘Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, then they shall not deliver the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor without premeditation and did not hate him beforehand.

NASB 1977
‘Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, then they shall not deliver the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor without premeditation and did not hate him beforehand.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, then they shall not surrender the manslayer into his hand because he struck his neighbor without premeditation and did not hate him beforehand.

Amplified Bible
If the blood avenger pursues him, they shall not hand the offender (manslayer) over to him, because he killed his neighbor unintentionally and without premeditation and did not hate him beforehand.

Christian Standard Bible
And if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not hand the one who committed manslaughter over to him, for he killed his neighbor accidentally and did not hate him beforehand.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not hand the one who committed manslaughter over to him, for he killed his neighbor accidentally and did not hate him beforehand.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
One of the victim's relatives might come to the town, looking for revenge. But the town leaders must not simply hand over the person accused of murder. After all, the accused and the victim had been neighbors, not enemies.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
" 'If the relative who can avenge the death pursues him, the leaders must not hand him over to the relative because he didn't intend to kill the other person. He didn't even hate the person he killed.

Good News Translation
If the one looking for revenge follows you there, the people of the city must not hand you over to that one. They must protect you because you killed the person accidentally and not out of anger.

International Standard Version
Now if the closely related avenger pursues him, then they are not to hand the killer over to him, because he killed his neighbor without premeditation and without hating him beforehand.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
When the avenger of blood comes after him, they must not hand over to him the one who committed manslaughter, for he accidentally killed his fellow man without premeditation.

New Heart English Bible
If the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver up the manslayer into his hand; because he struck his neighbor unintentionally, and did not hate him before.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And when the redeemer of blood pursues after him, then they do not shut up the manslayer into his hand, for he has struck his neighbor without knowledge, and is not hating him until now;

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;

Smith's Literal Translation
And if the nearest relation of blood shall pursue after him, and they shall not deliver over the slayer into his hand; for without knowing he smote his friend, and he hated him not from yesterday the third day.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the avenger of blood shall pursue him, they shall not deliver him into his hands, because he slew his neighbour unawares, and is not proved to have been his enemy two or three days before.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And if the avenger of blood will have pursued him, they shall not deliver him into his hands. For he struck down his neighbor unknowingly, one who was not proven to have been his enemy two or three days before.

New American Bible
Though the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not deliver up to him the one who killed a neighbor unintentionally, when there had been no hatred previously.

New Revised Standard Version
And if the avenger of blood is in pursuit, they shall not give up the slayer, because the neighbor was killed by mistake, there having been no enmity between them before.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And when the avenger of blood pursues him, then they shall not deliver the slayer into his hand; because he slew his neighbor unwittingly, and did not hate him beforehand.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they shall take him in when the seeker of vengeance of blood will chase after him and they shall not deliver the slayer into his hands, because unknowingly he struck his neighbor and was not hating him from former days

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver up the manslayer into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unawares, and hated him not beforetime.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

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.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Numbers 35:22-25
But if anyone pushes a person suddenly, without hostility, or throws an object at him unintentionally, / or without looking drops a heavy stone that kills him, but he was not an enemy and did not intend to harm him, / then the congregation must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances. ...

Deuteronomy 19:4-6
Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him: / If he goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut timber and swings his axe to chop down a tree, but the blade flies off the handle and strikes and kills his neighbor, he may flee to one of these cities to save his life. / Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the manslayer in a rage, overtake him if the distance is great, and strike him dead though he did not deserve to die, since he did not intend any harm.

Exodus 21:13
If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.

1 Kings 2:28-34
When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ...

2 Samuel 3:27
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.

2 Samuel 14:11
“Please,” she replied, “may the king invoke the LORD your God to prevent the avenger of blood from increasing the devastation, so that my son may not be destroyed!” “As surely as the LORD lives,” he vowed, “not a hair of your son’s head will fall to the ground.”

1 Samuel 24:12
May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.

1 Samuel 26:10
David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.

Genesis 9:6
Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.

Leviticus 24:17
And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death.

Matthew 5:21-22
You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Hebrews 10:30
For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”

Acts 7:24-28
And when he saw one of them being mistreated, Moses went to his defense and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian who was oppressing him. / He assumed his brothers would understand that God was using him to deliver them, but they did not. / The next day he came upon two Israelites who were fighting, and he tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you mistreating each other?’ ...

Acts 22:19-20
‘Lord,’ I answered, ‘they know very well that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You. / And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’

Treasury of Scripture

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

Numbers 35:12,25
And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment…

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Aforethought Avenger Beforehand Beforetime Blood Cause Death Deliver Designing Enmity Hand Hate Hated Ignorantly Killed Malice Manslayer Neighbor Neighbour Neighbour's Past Premeditation Previously Punishment Pursue Pursues Redeemer Right Slayer Smote Struck Surrender Taker Times Unawares Unintentionally Unwittingly

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Joshua 20

1. God commands
7. and the children of Israel appoint the six cities of refuge

Berean Study Bible

If the avenger of blood pursues him
In ancient Israel, the "avenger of blood" (Hebrew: גֹּאֵל הַדָּם, go'el ha-dam) was typically a close relative of a person who had been killed. This individual had the cultural and legal responsibility to ensure justice was served, often by pursuing the killer. The concept of the avenger of blood is deeply rooted in the ancient Near Eastern practice of blood vengeance, which was a common means of maintaining family honor and societal order. The cities of refuge, as described in Joshua 20, were established to provide a safe haven for those who had committed unintentional manslaughter, allowing for due process and preventing the cycle of vengeance from spiraling out of control. This reflects God's justice tempered with mercy, ensuring that the innocent are protected while still upholding the sanctity of life.

they must not surrender the manslayer
The term "manslayer" (Hebrew: רֹצֵחַ, rotzeach) refers to someone who has killed another person without premeditation or intent. The cities of refuge were a divine provision to protect such individuals from the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted. This command not to surrender the manslayer underscores the importance of justice and due process in God's law. It highlights the principle that guilt must be established by evidence and testimony, not by the emotions or desires of those seeking vengeance. This reflects a God who values justice and fairness, ensuring that His people live by principles that promote peace and righteousness.

into his hand
The phrase "into his hand" signifies the power and control that the avenger of blood would have over the manslayer if he were surrendered. In ancient times, being delivered "into the hand" of someone often meant being subject to their authority or judgment. This phrase emphasizes the potential danger and vulnerability of the manslayer if not protected by the city of refuge. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of taking a life, even unintentionally, and the need for divine intervention to ensure justice is served according to God's standards, not human impulses.

because he struck his neighbor accidentally
The word "accidentally" (Hebrew: בִּשְׁגָגָה, bishgagah) indicates a lack of intent or premeditation in the act of killing. This distinction between intentional murder and accidental killing is crucial in biblical law, as it determines the appropriate response and consequences. The provision for accidental killers to seek refuge reflects God's understanding of human fallibility and His desire to provide grace and protection for those who err without malicious intent. It underscores the importance of discerning the heart and motives behind actions, aligning with the biblical principle that God looks at the heart rather than outward appearances.

without prior malice
The phrase "without prior malice" (Hebrew: בְּלֹא שִׂנְאָה, belo sin'ah) further clarifies the nature of the act as lacking premeditated hostility or hatred. This distinction is vital in understanding the biblical concept of justice, which differentiates between crimes of passion or accident and those committed with deliberate intent. The absence of malice indicates that the act was not driven by a desire to harm, which is a key factor in determining the appropriate legal and moral response. This reflects God's just character, who judges not only actions but the intentions behind them, offering mercy to those who act without malicious intent.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 5. - And if. Or, "and when." Deliver. Literally, cause to shut up (συγκλείσουσι, LXX.), implying the completeness of the deliverance, from which no escape was possible. And hated him not before time. Daun, cited in Keil's Commentary here, remarks on the difference between the Jewish law of sanctuary and that of the Greeks and Romans. The former was not designed to save the criminal from the penalty he had deserved, but only the victim of an accident from consequences far exceeding the offence. The Greeks and Romans, on the contrary, provided the real criminal with a mode of escape from a punishment which he had justly merited.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Now if
וְכִ֨י (wə·ḵî)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the avenger
גֹּאֵ֤ל (gō·’êl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman

of blood
הַדָּם֙ (had·dām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed

pursues him,
יִרְדֹּ֜ף (yir·dōp̄)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

they must not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

deliver
יַסְגִּ֥רוּ (yas·gi·rū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5462: To shut up, to surrender

the manslayer
הָרֹצֵ֖חַ (hā·rō·ṣê·aḥ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7523: To dash in pieces, kill, to murder

into his hands,
בְּיָד֑וֹ (bə·yā·ḏōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

because
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

[that man] killed
הִכָּ֣ה (hik·kāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

his neighbor
רֵעֵ֔הוּ (rê·‘ê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

accidentally
בִבְלִי־ (ḇiḇ·lî-)
Preposition-b | Adverb
Strong's 1097: Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as

without
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

prior
שִׁלְשֽׁוֹם׃ (šil·šō·wm)
Adverb
Strong's 8032: Three days ago, day before, yesterday

malice.
שֹׂנֵ֥א (śō·nê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8130: To hate

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OT History: Joshua 20:5 If the avenger of blood pursue after (Josh. Jos)