Bible Dictionary
Avenger of blood
The avenger of blood was the nearest male relative of a murdered person. Under Israelite law he could pursue a willful murderer, while cities of refuge protected someone who had caused death unintentionally until a lawful judgment was made.
Biblical Usage
Israel’s law provided six cities of refuge so that an unintentional manslayer could escape the avenger while the authorities investigated the case. A willful murderer was delivered to the goel, but a person guilty only of manslaughter remained in the refuge city until the high priest’s death.
Scripture References