Manslayer

one who kills another unintentionally, and is thus distinguished from a murderer, who kills with malice aforethought. The cases of manslaughter mentioned in Scripture appear to be a sufficient indication of the intention of the lawgiver.

1. Death by a blow in a sudden quarrel. ( Numbers 35:22 )
2. Death by a stone or missile thrown at random. Ibid. ( Numbers 35:22 Numbers 35:23 )
3. By the blade of an axe flying from its handle. ( 19:5 ) In all these and the like cases the manslayer was allowed to retire to a city of refuge. A thief overtaken at night in the act of stealing might lawfully be put to death, but if the sun had risen the killing him was to be regarded as murder. ( Exodus 22:2 Exodus 22:8 )