manslayer Summary and Overview

one who was guilty of accidental homicide, and was entitled to flee to a city of refuge (Num. 35:6, 12, 22, 23), his compulsory residence in which terminated with the death of the high priest. (See CITY OF REFUGE T0003089.)

one who kills another unintentionally, and is thus distinguished from a murderer, who kills with malice aforethought. The cases of manslaughter mentioned in Scripture appear to be a sufficient indication of the intention of the lawgiver. 1. Death by a blow in a sudden quarrel. #Nu 35:22| 2. Death by a stone or missile thrown at random. Ibid. #Nu 35:22,23| 3. By the blade of an axe flying from its handle. #De 19:5| In all these and the like cases the manslayer was allowed to retire to a city of refuge. A thief overtaken at night in the act of stealing might lawfully be put to death, but if the sun had risen the killing him was to be regarded as murder. #Ex 22:2,8|

MAN'SLAYER . When manslaughter occurred by a blow in a sudden quarrel, by a stone or other missile thrown at random, Num 35:22-23, by the blade of an axe flying from its handle, etc., the manslayer was allowed to escape by retiring into one of the cities of refuge, on the principle that in these and other such cases the person slain had been delivered into the hands of the manslayer by the Almighty himself. MAN'TLE is the rendering of four different Hebrew words denoting -- 1. A coarse fabric in the form of a plaid used by the Arabs for making beds in their tents. Jud 4:18. 2. The garment which Samuel's mother made in imitation of the official priestly robe for her young son in the holy tent at Shiloh. 1 Sam 15:27. 3. A wrapper with sleeves used by ladies. Isa 3:22. 4. The chief garment of the prophet Elijah. 1 Kgs 19:13, 1 Kgs 19:19; 2 Kgs 2:8, 2 Kgs 2:13-14.

frontCITIES OF REFUGE; BLOOD; BLOOD, AVENGING OF.)