Definition: And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 20:5. It’s a really important and somewhat complex passage about justice and responsibility. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that if someone who hurts another person (the “avenger of blood”) tries to take them back, the people who caused the harm should not be punished. It’s highlighting a critical point of accountability. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And if the avenger of blood pursue after him…” – This refers to someone who is actively seeking revenge against the person who wronged them. The “avenger” is someone who’s determined to get their revenge. “…then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand…” – This is where it gets a little tricky. "Slayer" means someone who kills another. So, this means the person who killed the person being targeted shouldn't be held accountable for their actions. They shouldn’t be punished or bear the consequences of their deed. “Because he smote his neighbour unwittingly…” – This is a crucial part. “Smote” means to harm or inflict pain. It implies that this person didn’t intend to harm anyone. They acted without malice, without thinking about the consequences. It was an accidental act. “…and hated him not beforetime.” – This adds another layer of understanding. "Hated him not" means they didn't harbor any resentment or animosity towards the person before the harm happened. It shows a lack of anger or malice on their part. So, what does it all mean? Essentially, this verse is saying that taking revenge without considering the consequences is wrong. It’s about holding people accountable for their actions, even if those actions were unintentional. It emphasizes the importance of compassion and avoiding needless violence. Context & Significance: This passage often appears in connection with stories involving the Israelites’ conquest of Canaan. The story is about a man who killed a Canaanite person and then was punished by God. This verse reminds us that even though we might be victims of someone's actions, we should always strive to understand their motivations and avoid causing harm, even if we don't fully know why they did what they did. In short, it’s a call for justice tempered with understanding and compassion. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give another example of how this principle applies?