Deuteronomy 19:6

avenger of blood Heb. go-el haddâm(2 Samuel 14:11; Numbers 35:19-27; Joshua 20:3; Joshua 20:5; Joshua 20:9). The consuetudinary law of the vendetta is not abrogated, but persists so far as the nearest, or other, kinsman of the slain still takes the duty of punishing the slayer. See v. 22 and Add. note.

while his heart is hot and he cannot discriminate between accidental and wilful murder. It was doubtless to avoid the same unjust passion that the right of sanctuary arose among the nomad Arabs.

because the way is long to the One Altar, Deuteronomy 14:24; cp. Deuteronomy 12:21.

mortally Heb. to, or as to, the life(nephesh), Deuteronomy 19:11; cp. Deuteronomy 22:26.

whereas, etc.] Heb. there being no case of death to(against) him(a circumstantial clause); cp. Deuteronomy 21:22; Deuteronomy 22:26.