Avenger of Blood: (Heb. goel, from verb gaal, "to be near of kin," "to redeem"), the
nearest relative of a murdered person. It was his right and duty to
slay the murderer
(2 Samuel 14:7,11) if he found him outside of a city of
refuge. In order that this law might be guarded against abuse, Moses
appointed six cities of 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 might flee to the city that lay nearest him for
safety. Into the city of refuge the avenger durst not follow him. This
arrangement applied only to cases where the death was not premeditated.
The case had to be investigated by the authorities of the city, and the
wilful murderer was on no account to be spared. He was regarded as an
impure and polluted person, and was delivered up to the goel
(Deuteronomy 19:11-13) If the offence was merely manslaughter, then the fugitive
must remain within the city till the death of the high priest
(Numbers 35:25)
