Question: Greg,

Who was the "Avenger of Blood" referred to in the Old Testament who would pursue someone who had killed someone accidentally if they didn’t flee to a designated town of refuge? Was this a person or an angel of God?

Darin

Answer: Dear Darin,

The "Avenger of Blood" was someone who extracted justice from and/or the punishment of a wrongdoer – in the case of personal injury. The avenger was usually the next-of-kin to the victim – a human, not an angel. This method of justice existed before the time of Moses, and was often implemented when central government authority did not exist. It is interesting that the Hebrew tradition before Moses included such vengeance as sanctioned by God but modified and limited by compassion (see Genesis 9:5-6, Genesis 4:10-16), Numbers 35:9-28).

The Law of Moses allowed the avenger to execute a murderer, but no one else – and manslaughter was provided for under the Mosaic Law. Under the new covenant believers are taught not to execute vengeance, for God will punish evil doers (see Matthew 5:38-42 and Romans 12:17-19).

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht