translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: DEU

label: NET study note

text: These three cities , later designated by Joshua, were Kedesh of Galilee, Shechem, and Hebron ( Josh 20:7-9 ).


text: You will add three more cities . Since these are alluded to nowhere else and thus were probably never added, this must be a provision for other cities of refuge should they be needed (cf. v. 8 ). See P. C. Craigie, Deuteronomy (NICOT), 267.


text: Purge out the blood of the innocent . Because of the corporate nature of Israel’s community life, the whole community shared in the guilt of unavenged murder unless and until vengeance occurred. Only this would restore spiritual and moral equilibrium ( Num 35:33 ).


text: This kind of justice is commonly called lex talionis or “measure for measure” (cf. Exod 21:23-25 ; Lev 24:19-20 ). It is likely that it is the principle that is important and not always a strict application. That is, the punishment should fit the crime and it may do so by the payment of fines or other suitable and equitable compensation (cf. Exod 22:21 ; Num 35:31 ). See T. S. Frymer-Kensky, “Tit for Tat: The Principle of Equal Retribution in Near Eastern and Biblical Law,” BA 43 (1980): 230-34.