Joshua 20:3

3 so that the manslayer who kills any person in error and without knowledge may flee there, and they shall be your refuge from the avenger {Heb. redeemer} of blood.

Joshua 20:3 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 20:3

That the slayer that killeth [any] person unawares, [and]
unwittingly, may flee thither
Who through mere accident, and without design, killed a person, friend or foe, one of his own kindred, or a stranger, without any malice against him, or intention to take away his life:

and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood;
from any of the relations of the deceased, who might be stirred up to avenge the blood of his kinsman on the slayer; see ( Numbers 35:12 ) .

Joshua 20:3 In-Context

1 And the LORD spoke unto Joshua, saying,

2 Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke unto you by the hand of Moses,

3 so that the manslayer who kills any person in error and without knowledge may flee there, and they shall be your refuge from the avenger {Heb. redeemer} of blood.

4 And he that flees unto one of these cities shall present himself 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 receive him into the city among them and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.

5 And when the avenger {Heb. redeemer} of blood pursues after him, they shall not deliver the manslayer up into his hand because he smote his neighbour by error, nor did he have enmity with him before.