“But
anyone who strikes another with an iron object, and death ensues, is
a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death.1
Or anyone who strikes another with a stone in hand that could cause
death, and death ensues, is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to
death. Or anyone who strikes another with a weapon of wood in hand
that could cause death, and death ensues, is a murderer; the murderer
shall be put to death.2
The avenger of blood is the one who shall put the murderer to death;
when they meet,3
the avenger of blood shall execute the sentence. Likewise, if someone
pushes another from hatred, or hurls something at another, lying in
wait, and death ensues, or in enmity strikes another with the hand,
and death ensues, then the one who struck the blow shall be put to
death; that person is a murderer;4
the avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when they
meet.”
“But if someone pushes another suddenly without enmity, or hurls any object without lying in wait, or, while handling any stone that could cause death, unintentionally drops it on another and death ensues, though they were not enemies, and no harm was intended,5 then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood, in accordance with these ordinances; and the congregation shall rescue the slayer from the avenger of blood.6 Then the congregation shall send the slayer back to the original city of refuge. The slayer shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.7 But if the slayer shall at any time go outside the bounds of the original city of refuge, and is found by the avenger of blood outside the bounds of the city of refuge, and is killed by the avenger, no blood-guilt shall be incurred.8 For the slayer must remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest; but after the death of the high priest the slayer may return home.”
“These things shall be a statute and ordinance for you throughout your generations wherever you live.”9
“If anyone kills another, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses; but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of a single witness.10 Moreover, you shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer who is subject to the death penalty;11 a murderer must be put to death.12 Nor shall you accept ransom for one who has fled to a city of refuge, enabling the fugitive to return to live in the land before the death of the high priest. You shall not pollute the land in which you live; for blood pollutes the land, and no expiation can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it. You shall not defile the land13 in which you live, in which I also dwell; for I the Lord dwell among the Israelites.”
1 Death penalty affirmed
“But if someone pushes another suddenly without enmity, or hurls any object without lying in wait, or, while handling any stone that could cause death, unintentionally drops it on another and death ensues, though they were not enemies, and no harm was intended,5 then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood, in accordance with these ordinances; and the congregation shall rescue the slayer from the avenger of blood.6 Then the congregation shall send the slayer back to the original city of refuge. The slayer shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.7 But if the slayer shall at any time go outside the bounds of the original city of refuge, and is found by the avenger of blood outside the bounds of the city of refuge, and is killed by the avenger, no blood-guilt shall be incurred.8 For the slayer must remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest; but after the death of the high priest the slayer may return home.”
“These things shall be a statute and ordinance for you throughout your generations wherever you live.”9
“If anyone kills another, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses; but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of a single witness.10 Moreover, you shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer who is subject to the death penalty;11 a murderer must be put to death.12 Nor shall you accept ransom for one who has fled to a city of refuge, enabling the fugitive to return to live in the land before the death of the high priest. You shall not pollute the land in which you live; for blood pollutes the land, and no expiation can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it. You shall not defile the land13 in which you live, in which I also dwell; for I the Lord dwell among the Israelites.”
1 Death penalty affirmed
2
This is getting quite specific – lethal objects are presumed to be
used with lethal intent.
3
That doesn't sound very formal.
4
Even bare hands used in violence with hateful intent can receive the
death sentence if death ensues.
5
Unintentional victims
6
The avenger is assumed to still desire to carry out the sentence.
7
Temporary banishment as a penalty, or just waiting for the situation
to cool down?
8
Avenger has free reign to be violent anywhere outside of the city of
refuge.
9
Obviously not practiced today though.
10
Also not practiced today – many have been convicted on a single
witness.
11
Interesting – ransom, another cultural tradition, is invalidated.
12
The need for the death penalty is very firmly laid down.
13
To judge otherwise appears to be to “defile” the land.
Take-home: Rules are laid down for legal proceedings related to killings, attempting to establish fairness and justice.
Take-home: Rules are laid down for legal proceedings related to killings, attempting to establish fairness and justice.
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