What is an avenger of blood in the Bible?

Six cities were appointed under the law, three on each side of the Jordan, to which any one who had killed a person unintentionally could flee. They were given to the Levites, and the elders of these cities were to judge if the death had been caused accidentally, and if so, the avenger of blood was not allowed to take the manslayer's life. He must remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest who 'was anointed with the holy oil,' and then he could return to his possession. Prior to that if he went outside the city and the avenger found him, he might put him to death. Num. 35:6-32; Joshua 20:2-9; Joshua 21:13-38; 1 Chr. 6:57, 67.

After the flood God gave to Noah the law that "whose sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed," Gen. 9:6; and to this day in the East it is considered the solemn duty of the relatives of a slain man to see that his blood is avenged. The law made a distinction between murder and man-slaughter: when a person was killed accidentally the man-slayer could run to a City of Refuge (q.v.) and be protected. God has invested man with governmental authority to carry out this universal command, which was given long before the law by Moses, and which has never been repealed or relaxed. In the N.T. the magistrate bears not the sword in vain, for he is the minister of God for the punishment of evil-doers. Rom. 13.

The land being subdued under Israel (Joshua 12), the worship of Jehovah established in its centre (Joshua 18:1), and all the tribes having their inheritance apportioned to them, the Lord ordered that provision should be made to maintain His land guiltless of innocent blood. Cities of refuge were appointed, to which he who slew a man through ignorance and without intention might flee from the avenger of blood, who, according to the habit of the East, would pursue and kill the manslayer.

God had before directed that He would appoint six cities of refuge in Israel (Num.35:9-15), and now that Israel is settled in the land these cities are to be designated. They were to be places of safety for anyone who had accidentally or unintentionally killed another person (v.3). For a near relative of the victim might desire to avenge this wrong by killing the guilty party, but if the person fled to a city of refuge he would be safe from the avenger.

In the gate of the city (the place of judgment) he could declare his case before the elders, and if it was established that he was not guilty of murder, he was to be welcomed into the city, where the avenger of blood was not permitted to touch him (v.4). Numbers 35:16-19 makes it clear, however, that he must be given no refuge in that city if his case was one of actual murder, and the avenger of blood could put him to death.

Above all, the person killed reminds us of the Lord Jesus. Was His death a premeditated case of deliberate murder? On the part of some, yes, for religious leaders were absolutely hateful toward Him and plotted beforehand to kill Him (Lk.6:11; Jn.11:53). But there were those who did not understand the horror of this rejection of the Son of God, as we learn from the Lord's words from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Lk.23:34). Peter also, in speaking to the common people of Israel in Acts 3:17 tells them, "Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers." So there were even some rulers who had opportunity to virtually flee to a city of refuge. Many responded to Peter's words and found refuge by receiving the Lord Jesus as Savior. All mankind is responsible for the death of the Lord Jesus, and all who receive Him now will find that His death is actually the means of their salvation. But those who maintain a hateful attitude of refusing Him will find not refuge, but only a fearful expectation of judgment.

Verse 6 has told us these six cities belonged to the Levites. The name of these cities are found in Joshua 20. A refuge was in this way provided for one who had accidentally killed a person, for it might well be that a relative or friend of the victim would seek retaliation by killing the person responsible. In that city that person would be safe until such time as there was an investigation into the case. If it proved to be a case of actual murder, he must be delivered up to the avenger (vs..9-12).

Now God carefully repeats the proper terms under which one could claim the shelter of the city of refuge. It was a provision for a manslayer, not for a murderer. He might kill another unintentionally. An example of this is given here also. One might swing his axe to cut down a tree, and the axe head slip off the handle, accidentally killing another person (vs.4-5). In such a case he could flee to the city of refuge where he would be safe from "the avenger of blood." This person would be a close relative or friend of the victim, and might feel himself justified in taking vengeance on the manslayer.

The cities of the Levites were scattered through the land. Genesis 49:7 is therefore fulfilled. The provision of cities for refuge is full of interest. The careful study of the purpose of these cities is recommended. Note especially that they were provided to give shelter for those who had killed a person unawares. The avenger of blood (Hebrew: _goel, which means to redeem) pursued the person and the city of refuge gave shelter. The death of the high priest resulted in liberty for all who were in the cities of refuge. It was the signal that they could return to their possessions (verse 28).

If a case was not fully clear as to whether there was intent to cause harm or not, when the manslayer came to the city of refuge, "then the congregation shall judge between the manslayer and the avenger of blood according to these judgments" (v.24). "There judgments" involve the question of whether the case was one of murder, as seen in verses 16-21, or whether it was unintentional manslaughter, as in verses 22-23.

The slayer was safe inside the city until this judgment took place. Then, if the person was found guilty of murder he was to be delivered to the avenger of blood, who was to put him to death. If not found guilty, he was to be allowed to remain in the city of refuge without fear of death. Then he must remain there until the death of the high priest, for if found outside the city, the avenger of blood was allowed to kill him.

After the death of the high priest he could return to his own home, and would be safe from any reprisal by the avenger of blood (vs.25-28).

In verses 12-13 the greatest care is enjoined to hinder all abuse through the cities of refuge. No facility must be given thereby for a murderer to find permanent shelter there. If blood was shed intentionally and deliberately, the elders of his city were bound to send and fetch him thence, delivering him over to the avenger of blood that he might die.*

Now, we believe that this beautiful ordinance had special reference to Israel. They have killed the Prince of life; but the question is, As which are they viewed by God, as the murderer or as the slayer? If the former, there is no refuge, no hope. No murderer could be sheltered within the city of refuge. Here is the law of the case, as stated in Joshua 20, "The Lord also spake to Joshua, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake to you by the hand of Moses: that the slayer that kills any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. And when he that doth flee to one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city to them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. 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, And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgement, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come to his own city, and to his own house, to the city from whence he fled." Vv 1-6.

But with respect to the murderer; the law was rigid and unbending "The murderer shall surely be put to death. The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer, when he meets him." Numbers 35.