Avenger of Blood

BLOOD, AVENGER OF. Genesis 9:6 states the biblical law of equity that the taking of life by murder requires the taking of the life of the murderer as a judicial penalty. The OT recognizes in this connection both the function of the courts (e.g., Exod.24.12; Deut.19.15-Deut.19.21) and the rights of the family of the murdered person. The next of kin was permitted to exact the death penalty. The word that is questionably translated “avenger” (e.g., Num.35.12) is properly “next of kin” or “redeemer” (go’el). Not only in capital cases but in all the vicissitudes of life, the go’el was at hand to take on himself whatever need oppressed his close relative. For this reason “redeemer” became one of the most beautiful and theologically significant descriptions of the Lord in relation to his people (e.g., Isa.43.14). See also [[Redemption]]. To prevent the work of the “avenger” from becoming a family vendetta, OT law appointed cities of refuge to which one guilty of manslaughter (not of murder)