Joshua 20 Footnotes

20:3,5,9 The “avenger of blood” was, typically, a near relative of the murder victim (or some other designated person) who was responsible for exacting legal vengeance against the murderer (see Gn 9:5-6; Ex 21:23-24). While vengeance was the domain of God alone (Dt 32:35; Ps 94:23; Pr 20:22), he also recognized it as part of ancient Israel’s justice system. Vengeance was never to be a private or personal matter but was strictly regulated by the law of Moses. For further discussion of the system of blood vengeance and the cities of refuge, see Nm 35:9-34; Dt 19:1-13.