Exodus 21:13

13 But as for him that did it not willingly, but God delivered him into his hands, I will give thee a place whither the slayer may flee.

Exodus 21:13 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 21:13

And if a man lie not in wait
For the life of another to take it away; or does not do it willingly, as the Septuagint version, does not seek after it, nor design it:

but God delivers him into his hand;
it being suffered and ordered by the providence of God, without whose knowledge and will nothing comes to pass, even what may seem to be a contingent thing, or matter of chance, to us; or it is so brought about in providence, that one man falls into the hands of another, and his life is taken away by him, though not purposely and maliciously; because, as Aben Ezra expresses it, for another sin which he has committed, and for which he must die in this way, though not intended by the person the more immediate cause of his death:

then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee;
and there be safe both from the avenger of blood, and the civil magistrate; which place, while Israel were in the wilderness, was the camp of the Levites, according to Jarchi, or the altar, as follows; but when they were come to Canaan's land, there were cities of refuge appointed for such persons, that killed a man unawares, to flee to, and where they were safe from private vengeance, and falling a sacrifice to public justice.

Exodus 21:13 In-Context

11 And if he will not do these three things to her, she shall go out free without money.

12 And if any man smite another and he die, let him be certainly put to death.

13 But as for him that did it not willingly, but God delivered him into his hands, I will give thee a place whither the slayer may flee.

14 And if any one lie in wait for his neighbour to slay him by craft, and he go for refuge, thou shalt take him from my altar to put him to death.

15 Whoever smites his father or his mother, let him be certainly put to death.