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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Revenger Of Blood</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/r/revenger_of_blood.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/numbers/35-19.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/r/revenger.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Revenger Of Blood</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/r/revenger.htm" title="Revenger">◄</a> Revenger Of Blood <a href="/topical/r/revengers.htm" title="Revengers">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#smi" title="Smith's Bible Dictionary">Smith's</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The term "Revenger of Blood" refers to a specific role within the ancient Israelite legal system, as outlined in the Old Testament. This role is primarily discussed in the context of the laws concerning manslaughter and murder, where the "revenger of blood" (also known as the "avenger of blood") is a close relative of a person who has been killed. The primary responsibility of the revenger of blood was to ensure justice by pursuing the killer, particularly in cases of intentional murder.<br><br><b>Biblical Context</b><br><br>The concept of the revenger of blood is rooted in the principle of lex talionis, or the law of retribution, which is a recurring theme in the Mosaic Law. The role is first introduced in the Book of Numbers: "The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him" (<a href="/numbers/35-19.htm">Numbers 35:19</a>). This passage underscores the responsibility of the revenger to act as an executor of justice, ensuring that the sanctity of life is upheld by avenging unlawful bloodshed.<br><br><b>Cities of Refuge</b><br><br>To balance the pursuit of justice with mercy, the Mosaic Law also established cities of refuge. These cities provided asylum for individuals who had committed manslaughter unintentionally. <a href="/numbers/35-11.htm">Numbers 35:11-12</a> states, "Select cities to be your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly" . The cities of refuge served as a protective measure against the revenger of blood, ensuring that due process was followed and that the accused had the opportunity to stand trial.<br><br><b>Legal and Moral Implications</b><br><br>The role of the revenger of blood highlights the importance of family responsibility and the communal nature of justice in ancient Israel. It reflects a legal system where the family played a central role in maintaining social order and justice. However, the provision for cities of refuge indicates a recognition of human fallibility and the need for a fair trial, preventing the cycle of vengeance from escalating into further bloodshed.<br><br><b>Theological Significance</b><br><br>From a theological perspective, the concept of the revenger of blood underscores the seriousness with which God views the shedding of innocent blood. It reflects the divine mandate for justice while also pointing to the need for mercy and protection for those who may have caused harm unintentionally. The balance between justice and mercy is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, ultimately finding its fulfillment in the New Testament through the work of Jesus Christ, who embodies both perfect justice and mercy.<br><br><b>New Testament Reflection</b><br><br>While the specific role of the revenger of blood is not directly carried over into the New Testament, the principles of justice and mercy continue to be emphasized. Jesus' teachings often focus on forgiveness and reconciliation, moving beyond the retributive justice system of the Old Testament. The Apostle Paul, in <a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a>, echoes this sentiment: "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord'" . This shift highlights the transition from human-administered justice to divine justice, entrusting God with the ultimate judgment and retribution.<a name="smi" id="smi"></a><div class="vheading2">Smith's Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Revenger Of Blood</span><p>He who avenged the blood of one who had been killed. The nearest relative of the deceased became the authorized avenger of blood. (<a href="/numbers/35-19.htm">Numbers 35:19</a>) The law of retaliation was not to extend beyond the immediate offender. (<a href="/deuteronomy/24-16.htm">24:16</a>; <a href="/2_kings/14-6.htm">2 Kings 14:6</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/25-4.htm">2 Chronicles 25:4</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/31-29.htm">Jeremiah 31:29,30</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Ezekiel 18:20</a>)<a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/chrysostom/homilies_on_acts_and_romans/homily_xxiii_rom_xiii_1.htm"><span class="l">Rom. xiii. 1</span></a> <br><b>...</b> "For he is the minister of God to execute wrath, a <b>revenger</b> upon him <b>...</b> of an iujured<br> and despised lover, and says, "The voice of thy brother's <b>blood</b> crieth unto <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxiii rom xiii 1.htm</font><p><a href="/library/pink/the_antichrist/antichrist_in_the_psalms_.htm"><span class="l">Antichrist in the Psalms</span></a> <br><b>...</b> another of his opponents will fall before him: through a sea of <b>blood</b> will he <b>...</b> 2).<br> The Enemy and the Avenger, more literally "the Foe and the <b>Revenger</b>," are two <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/antichrist in the psalms .htm</font><p><a href="/library/calvin/the_institutes_of_the_christian_religion/chapter_20_of_civil_government.htm"><span class="l">Of Civil Government.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> hurt or destroy," how can magistrates be at once pious and yet shedders of <b>blood</b>? <b>...</b><br> in vain," says Paul, "for he is the minister of God, a <b>revenger</b> to execute <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/the_confessions_and_letters_of_st/letter_lxxxvii_a_d_405.htm"><span class="l">Letter Lxxxvii. (AD 405. )</span></a> <br><b>...</b> I wonder if the man who does not blush at such pretensions has any <b>blood</b> in his<br> body <b>...</b> not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a <b>revenger</b> to execute <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxxvii a d 405.htm</font><p><a href="/library/paley/evidences_of_christianity/chapter_iv_rejection_of_christianity.htm"><span class="l">Rejection of Christianity.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> What knew they of grace, of redemption, of justification, of the <b>blood</b> of Christ<br> shed <b>...</b> the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a <b>revenger</b> to execute <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter iv rejection of christianity.htm</font><p><a href="/library/bunyan/the_works_of_john_bunyan_volumes_1-3/john_bunyan_on_the_terms.htm"><span class="l">John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> of the children of Israel' (Deuteronomy 32:8), for as he 'made of one <b>blood</b> all<br> nations <b>...</b> the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a <b>revenger</b> to execute <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm</font><p><a href="/library/various/the_worlds_great_sermons_volume_i/luther__the_method_and.htm"><span class="l">Luther -- the Method and Fruits of Justification</span></a> <br><b>...</b> plainly that God is not a favorable Father, but a wrathful <b>revenger</b> of sins <b>...</b> not rest<br> until they slay their righteous brother Abel, wherefore the <b>blood</b> of Christ <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/luther the method and.htm</font><p><a href="/library/schaff/the_creeds_of_the_evangelical_protestant_churches/english_version_of_the_second.htm"><span class="l">English Version of the Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> be understood that God does it by just judgment, as a just judge and <b>revenger</b>. <b>...</b> we<br> are fed in his Church, oftentimes, with his flesh and <b>blood</b>, unto everlasting <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../english version of the second.htm</font><p><a href="/library/bunyan/the_works_of_john_bunyan_volumes_1-3/a_vindication_of_gospel_truths.htm"><span class="l">A vindication of Gospel Truths Opened,</span></a> <br><b>...</b> And indeed I may say of these, as our Lord said of the Pharisees in another case,<br> all the <b>blood</b> of the ignorant, from the beginning of the world, shall be laid <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a vindication of gospel truths.htm</font><p><a href="/library/bunyan/the_works_of_john_bunyan_volumes_1-3/the_acceptable_sacrifice.htm"><span class="l">The Acceptable Sacrifice;</span></a> <br><b>...</b> not able to give better satisfaction for breaking God's laws, than by breaking our<br> own hearts; this is all that we can do of that kind; for the <b>blood</b> of Christ <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the acceptable sacrifice.htm</font><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://clyx.com/term/revenger.htm">Revenger: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/r/revenger.htm">Revenger</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/r/revenger_of_blood.htm">Revenger Of Blood</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/revenger.htm">Revenger (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/revenges.htm">Revenges (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wouldest.htm">Wouldest (66 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/r/revenger.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Revenger"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Revenger" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/r/revengers.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Revengers"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Revengers" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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