The term "man-slayer" in biblical context refers to an individual who has caused the death of another person, either intentionally or unintentionally. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is significant in biblical law, with different consequences and provisions for each.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "man-slayer" is "ratsach," which can mean to kill, slay, or murder. The Mosaic Law provides specific guidelines for dealing with cases of manslaughter, distinguishing it from premeditated murder.

Cities of Refuge

A key provision for the man-slayer is the establishment of cities of refuge. These cities were designated places where someone who had killed another unintentionally could seek asylum. Numbers 35:11-12 states, "Select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, so that a manslayer who kills a person unintentionally may flee there. These cities will be your places of refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly."

The cities of refuge served as a protective measure against the "avenger of blood," a family member seeking retribution for the death. The man-slayer was required to remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest, after which he could return home without fear of retribution (Numbers 35:25-28).

Distinction from Murder

The Bible makes a clear distinction between manslaughter and murder. Murder, being a premeditated act, was punishable by death, as stated in Exodus 21:12-14 : "Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. But if he did not intend any harm, and yet God allowed it to happen, I will appoint a place for you where he may flee. But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death."

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not specifically address the concept of cities of refuge, it upholds the sanctity of life and the seriousness of taking a life. Jesus expands on the commandment "You shall not murder" by addressing the heart's intentions, equating unjust anger with murder in Matthew 5:21-22 : "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Do not murder,' and 'Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment."

Theological Implications

The provision for the man-slayer in the Old Testament reflects God's justice and mercy. It acknowledges human fallibility and the potential for accidental harm, while also providing a means of protection and due process. The cities of refuge symbolize God's provision of grace and a place of safety, prefiguring the ultimate refuge found in Christ.

In summary, the concept of the man-slayer in the Bible underscores the value of human life, the importance of justice tempered with mercy, and the provision of refuge for those who have caused unintended harm.409. androphonos -- a manslayer
... Spelling: (an-drof-on'-os) Short Definition: a murderer Definition: a murderer,
man-slayer. Word Origin from aner and phonos Definition a manslayer NASB Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/409.htm - 6k

443. anthropoktonos -- a manslayer
... pok-ton'-os) Short Definition: a murderer Definition: a murderer, man-slayer. Word
Origin from anthropos and kteino (to kill) Definition a manslayer NASB Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/443.htm - 6k

7523. ratsach -- to murder, slay
... ratsach. 7524 . to murder, slay. Transliteration: ratsach Phonetic Spelling:
(raw-tsakh') Short Definition: manslayer. ... put to death, kill, manslayer, murderer. ...
/hebrew/7523.htm - 6k

Rom. Ix. 1
... For if we do not look narrowly into the causes, we shall call Elijah a manslayer,
and Abraham not a manslayer only, but a murderer of his son. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvi rom ix 1.htm

The Gospel Refuge.
... If you read the Bible account, you will find that the manslayer had his liberty
restored to him upon the death of the High Priest.[57] When the tidings of the ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/iii the gospel refuge.htm

The Believer a New Creature
... The city of refuge no sooner received the manslayer than he was perfectly
free from the avenger who pursued him. Once within the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 15 1869/the believer a new creature.htm

Two Fortresses
... and catch up their children in their arms, and set their wives upon their mules,
and make all haste to some fortified place; or as when the manslayer in Israel ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/two fortresses.htm

John Chapter viii. 37-47
... Abraham was no manslayer. ... From the very time that murder [manslaughter] could
possibly be committed, he was a murderer [manslayer]. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlii john chapter viii.htm

The Cities of Refuge: or, The Name of Jesus
... Title Page. THE CITIES OF REFUGE. [Illustration: The Man-Slayer]. OR,. The
Name of Jesus. A SUNDAY BOOK FOR THE YOUNG. BY. REV. JOHN ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/title page.htm

When travelling lately through the Simplon
... Retreats," I could not help being reminded of the wonderful Cities of Refuge which
God graciously provided of old in Palestine for the unfortunate manslayer. ...
/.../the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/i when travelling lately through.htm

In Him: Like Him
... that makes us Christians: by union with him as our life we truly live,"live in the
favour of God."We are in Christ, dear brethren, as the manslayer was in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/in him like him.htm

What Then, if a Homicide Seek Refuge with a Christian...
... knowest and hast seen? Art thou then prepared to bear false witness, and to
slay thy soul that a manslayer may not be slain? Or, up to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 22 what then if.htm

The Heathen, who have not a Full Revelation of the Truth...
... suffer for their crime, drives the unwilling gladiator to the murderous deed with
rods and scourges; and one who demands the lion for every manslayer of deeper ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter xxi the heathen who.htm

Manslayer (20 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MANSLAYER. man ... See MURDER. Frank E. Hirsch.
Multi-Version Concordance Manslayer (20 Occurrences). Numbers ...
/m/manslayer.htm - 15k

Man-slayer (20 Occurrences)
Man-slayer. Manslayer, Man-slayer. Manslayers . Multi-Version Concordance
Man-slayer (20 Occurrences). ... Manslayer, Man-slayer. Manslayers . Reference Bible
/m/man-slayer.htm - 13k

Slayer (23 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Numbers 35:11 then you shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for
you, that the manslayer who kills any person unwittingly may flee there. ...
/s/slayer.htm - 13k

Accused (29 Occurrences)
... Numbers 35:12 The cities shall be to you for refuge from the avenger, that the
manslayer not die, until he stands before the congregation for judgment. ...
/a/accused.htm - 15k

Refuge (111 Occurrences)
... instituted. Open highways were to be maintained along, which the manslayer
might have an unobstructed course to the city gate. 3 ...
/r/refuge.htm - 41k

Avenger (18 Occurrences)
... refuge (Exodus 21:13; Numbers 35:13; Deuteronomy 19:1, 9). These were in different
parts of the country, and every facility was afforded the manslayer that he ...
/a/avenger.htm - 17k

Unintentionally (20 Occurrences)
... Numbers 35:11 then you shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you,
that the manslayer who kills any person unwittingly may flee there. (See NAS). ...
/u/unintentionally.htm - 12k

Fleeing (38 Occurrences)
... cause thee to inherit, and it hath been for the fleeing thither of every man-slayer.
(YLT). Deuteronomy 19:4 And this is the case of the manslayer, that shall ...
/f/fleeing.htm - 18k

Enmity (23 Occurrences)
... 22, where the absence of enmity on the part of the man-slayer modifies the ... Deuteronomy
4:42 that the manslayer might flee there, who kills his neighbor unawares ...
/e/enmity.htm - 15k

Kills (38 Occurrences)
... Numbers 35:11 then you shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you,
that the manslayer who kills any person unwittingly may flee there. (WEB RSV). ...
/k/kills.htm - 17k

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