Numb. xxxv. 28MURDER. Voluntary Murder was always punished with Death, but involuntary Murder among the Hebrews was only punished by Banishment. Cities of Refuge were appointed for involuntary Manslaughter, whither they might retire, and continue in Safety, till the Death of the High-priest. Then the Offender was at Liberty to return to his own City and his own House, if he pleased. But as for the voluntary Murderer, he was put to Death without any Remission, and the Kinsman of the murdered Person might kill him with Impunity. Money Ibid. 27. Ibid. 31. Exod. xxi. 14.could not redeem his Life, he was dragged away even from the Altar, if he had taken Refuge there.
When a dead Body was found in the Fields, of a Person that had been slain by a Murderer unknown, Moses commanded, Deut. xxi. 1, 2,—8.that the Elders and Judges of the neighbouring Places should resort to the Place, and examine what City was nearest to it. The Elders of this City were to take a Heifer, which had never yet bore the Yoke, and were to lead it into some rude and uncultivated Place, which had not been plowed or sowed, where they were to cut the Throat of the Victim; after which the Priests of the Lord, with the Elders and Magistrates of the City, were to come near the dead Body, and washing their Hands over the Heifer that had been slain, they were to say: “ Our Hands have not shed “ this Blood, nor have our Eyes seen it “ shed. Lord be favourable to thy People “ Israel, and impute not to us this Blood, “ which has been shed in the midst of our “ Countrey.” This whole Ceremony may inform us, what Idea they had of the Heinousness of Murder, and how much Horror they conceived at this Crime; and also the Fear they were in, that God might take Vengeance for it on the whole Countrey: And of the Pollution that the Countrey was supposed to contract, by the Blood that was spilt in it, unless it were expiated, or revenged upon him that was the Occasion of it; if he should happen to be discovered.