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.

JOSHUA 20:5KJV
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Joshua 20:5 (KJV)

What does Joshua 20:5 mean?

Joshua 20:5 says that if someone who accidentally killed another person flees to a city of refuge, the people of that city must not hand him over to the "avenger of blood," because the killing was not done out of hatred or with prior intent. The verse protects someone who caused a death unintentionally from being punished as a murderer.

In this verse, God is giving instructions to the Israelites through Joshua about how to handle cases of accidental killing. The "avenger of blood" was usually a family member seeking justice for a relative's death. The cities of refuge were set up as safe places where someone who killed another person without malice could be protected until a fair trial. This law made a clear distinction between accidental killing and murder.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 20:5

  • "Avenger" (גֹּאֵל, go'el) refers to a family member responsible for seeking justice or vengeance for a slain relative. This role was part of ancient Israelite custom, but here, the law limits the go'el's power in cases of accidental death.
  • "Unwittingly" (בְּלִי־דַעַת, beli-da‘at) means "without knowledge" or "without intent." This word emphasizes that the killing was not planned or done with awareness, which is why the slayer is protected.
  • "Hated" (שָׂנֵא, sane) means "to hate" or "to be hostile toward." The verse stresses that the slayer had no previous hatred toward the victim, highlighting the accidental nature of the act.

Why Joshua 20:5 matters

  • Joshua 20:5 clarifies that Israel's justice system made a careful distinction between murder and accidental killing, showing concern for fairness and due process.
  • The verse prevents personal revenge from overriding justice, ensuring that emotions or family loyalty do not lead to wrongful punishment.
  • This law connects to the broader theme in Joshua 20 of providing refuge and protection for those in vulnerable situations, reflecting a balance between justice and mercy in Israelite society.

Where else these words appear

“unwittingly” Hebrew H1097 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 31:20 And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.
  • Job 8:11 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?
  • Job 41:33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.

“beforetime” Hebrew H8543 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
  • Exodus 21:36 Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.
  • 1 Samuel 20:27 And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?

“beforetime” Hebrew H8032 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
  • Deuteronomy 4:42 That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:
  • 1 Samuel 14:21 Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.

“slayer” Hebrew H7523 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.
  • Numbers 35:30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
  • Joshua 21:32 And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.