There was a court system in Israel but no police force. The innocent person had to be protected before the family of a victim attempted to take vengeance. The cities of refuge provided a place of escape where the manslayer could be tried to see whether the death was manslaughter or murder.
以色列国只有法院制度，没有警力，因此无辜的人需要受到保护，以免受害者的家属私自向他们报仇。逃城就是误杀人的避难所；他们将在那里接受审讯，查看是否真是误杀还是谋杀他人。
The cities picture the salvation we have in Jesus Christ, the One to whom we have “fled for refuge” because death is pursuing us (Heb. 6:18; Rom. 6:23). The cities were appointed by God, and no other cities would do (Acts 4:12). They were accessible and available to all (Josh. 20:9; John 6:37), but the person had to believe God’s Word and act on it. The roads to those cities were clearly marked and kept in good repair. The way was open and free.
这些城所勾画的是我们在基督耶稣里的救恩：祂就是我们逃往的避难所，因死亡正追赶着我们（来6:18；罗6:23）。这些城都是神所指定的，不能由其它城取代（徒4:12）。它向万人开放，但唯有相信神话语的人才会有所行动（书20:9；约6:37）。通往这些城的地标清晰、道路通明，是敞开的，没有阻碍。
However, in Christ we have something far better! The manslayer was tried to see if he were a murderer, but those who trust Christ shall never face judgment (John 5:24; Rom. 8:1). Our High Priest lives forever and intercedes for us; therefore, we can never be refused (Heb. 7:23–28). We are indeed guilty, but He forgives us by His grace—and He takes our punishment for us!
然而，我们在基督里所得到的更为美好！误杀人的仍需接受审讯，查看他是否有谋杀的企图，但信靠基督的将永远无需面临审判（约5:24；罗8:1）。我们的大祭司永远活着，替我们祈求，所以我们必不会遭拒绝（来7:23-28）。我们确实是有罪的，但祂因着恩典赦免我们，更担当了我们的刑罚！
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- The statutes explained by Moses in this part of Deuteronomy deal broadly with social and community order. Modern law still follows Moses in making a distinction between murder and manslaughter (Ex. 21:12–14; Lev. 24:17). The person who unintentionally killed someone could flee to the nearest city of refuge and present his case to the elders there. Israel had no system or policemen for locating and arresting suspected criminals. If he didn’t flee, a member of the victim’s family might chase him down and become “the avenger of blood” and kill him. By fleeing to the city of refuge, the manslayer was safe until the facts of the case could be examined and a verdict declared. If found innocent, the manslayer was allowed to live safely. Even though he was innocent, he still paid a price for accidentally killing another human being. God is just and He will judge rightly. Let’s thank God for His fairness, protection and righteousness.
摩西在《申命记》的这一段经文所提到的法则涉及到了广泛社会和社区的秩序。现代法律仍照摩西所言，在谋杀和误杀之间作出区分（出21:12-14；利24:17）。误杀人的可以逃往最近的逃城，并向那里的长老陈述自己的情况。以色列国并没有社会架构或警力追踪和逮捕罪案嫌犯。如果他不逃亡，受害者的家属很可能会追捕他，成为那“报血仇的”，将他治死。借着逃往逃城，误杀人的能享安全，直至案情审视完毕和最终的判决。若被判无辜，误杀的可以继续安全地住在那里；即使是无辜的，他仍要为误杀之罪付上代价。神是公义的，祂必有正确的判决。让我们为神的公正、保护和公义感恩。
- Murder was one of several capital crimes in Israel. Others were idolatry and sorcery (Lev. 20:1–6), blasphemy (24:10–16), violating the Sabbath (Num. 15:32–36), willful and repeated disobedience to parents (Deut. 21:18–21; Ex. 21:15, 17), kidnapping (Ex. 21:16), bestiality (22:19), homosexuality (Lev. 20:13), adultery, and the rape of an engaged maiden (Deut. 22:22–27). Although we don’t practice capital punishment today, we can see how serious the Lord views these sins. Let’s pray that we view these sins from the perspective of God and obey Him.
谋杀在以色列是死罪；其它的还包括：敬拜偶像和施巫术（利20:1-6）、亵渎神（24:10-16）、违反安息日（民15:32-36）、对父母顽梗悖逆（申21:18–21；出21:15, 17）、绑架（出21:16）、人兽交（22:19）、同性恋（利20:13）、奸淫和强暴有婚约女子（申22:22-27）。我们现今虽然不都为这些罪行判决死刑，但我们能从中看出神是如此严厉看待这些罪孽的。让我们祈祷，叫自己能以神的眼光看待这些罪，并听从顺服祂。
