Topical Bible: Blood: Shedding of Human: Mode of Clearing Those Accused of

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In the biblical context, the shedding of human blood is a grave matter, and the Scriptures provide specific instructions for addressing accusations of murder or manslaughter. The Bible emphasizes the sanctity of human life, as humanity is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Consequently, the unlawful taking of life is met with severe consequences, and the process of clearing those accused of such acts is carefully outlined.

Cities of Refuge

One of the primary modes of clearing those accused of shedding human blood, particularly in cases of manslaughter, is the establishment of cities of refuge. These cities were designated places where individuals who had accidentally killed someone could seek asylum. The purpose was to protect the accused from the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted. Numbers 35:11-12 states, "Select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. These cities will be a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly."

The cities of refuge served as a means to ensure that justice was tempered with mercy, allowing for a distinction between premeditated murder and accidental killing. The accused was required to remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest, after which they could return home without fear of retribution (Numbers 35:25-28).

Trial and Testimony

The process of clearing those accused of shedding blood also involved a trial before the assembly, where evidence and testimony were presented. The biblical legal system required the testimony of two or three witnesses to establish guilt in capital cases, as stated in Deuteronomy 19:15 : "A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."

This requirement underscored the importance of corroborated evidence in determining the truth and preventing false accusations. The role of witnesses was crucial in ensuring that justice was served, and the accused were either cleared or condemned based on reliable testimony.

Atonement and Ritual Cleansing

In certain cases, the shedding of innocent blood required atonement and ritual cleansing to remove the guilt from the community. Deuteronomy 21:1-9 outlines the procedure for atoning for an unsolved murder. The elders of the nearest town were to take a heifer to a valley with flowing water, break its neck, and wash their hands over the heifer, declaring their innocence in the matter. This ritual symbolized the community's desire to be free from the guilt of innocent bloodshed and sought God's mercy and forgiveness.

Divine Justice and Human Responsibility

The biblical approach to clearing those accused of shedding human blood reflects a balance between divine justice and human responsibility. The legal provisions, such as cities of refuge and the requirement for multiple witnesses, demonstrate a commitment to justice while recognizing the need for mercy and protection of the innocent. The overarching principle is that human life is sacred, and the shedding of blood is a serious offense that demands careful and just resolution.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 21:1-9
If one be found slain in the land which the LORD your God gives you to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who has slain him:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... and who describe him as clothed with human members and ... treatise which he entitles
"On the best mode of translating ... the worst; and in which he proves those to be ...
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The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood. ... Here therefore all those are
mistaken that think to be ... they flow from the heart of a human creature; I ...
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