Bible Dictionary
HOMICIDE
Homicide is the killing of one human being by another. Biblical law distinguished deliberate murder, which required severe punishment, from unintentional killing, for which cities of refuge provided protection under defined conditions.
Biblical Usage
The law forbade killing and required death for deliberate murder, with two witnesses necessary for conviction. Unintentional killers could flee to cities of refuge and remain there until the death of the officiating high priest. The law also addressed killing thieves, negligent building practices, unknown murderers, slaves who died under punishment, and the avenger of blood.