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Avenger of Blood

Dictionary of Biblical Words:

Man’s blood when shed cries to God for vengeance (Gen. 4), and defiles the land (Num. 35:33³³So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. (Numbers 35:33)). The blood of Christ speaks better things, and enables God in righteousness to show grace to sinners. It also cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)). By it we have forgiveness (Eph. 1:7⁷In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)), justification (Rom. 5:9⁹Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:9)), and entrance into the holiest (Heb. 10:19¹⁹Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:19)). Blood is the life of the flesh, and was forbidden to man (Gen. 9, Levit. 17., Acts 15). Now, however, having died with Christ (Rom. 6), we can in figure drink the blood of Christ, who is our life in resurrection. It is remarkable that the death of Christ is seldom spoken of in connection with our salvation, whereas the “blood” is constantly referred to. We have redemption, peace, remission, and access by the blood; by it we are justified, made nigh, purged, cleansed, and sanctified.

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

Exaction of just satisfaction (Luke 18:8⁸I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8); 1 Thess. 4:6⁶That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. (1 Thessalonians 4:6)). “Avenger of Blood” was the pursuer of a slayer to avenge the blood of the slain. He must be a relative of the dead one (Deut. 19:6⁶Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past. (Deuteronomy 19:6)).

Concise Bible Dictionary:

See AVENGER.