and every facility was afforded the manslayer that he might flee to the city
that lay nearest him for safety. Into the city of refuge the avenger durst not
follow him. This arrangement applied only to cases where the death was
not premeditated. The case had to be investigated by the authorities of the
city, and the wilful murderer was on no account to be spared. He was
regarded as an impure and polluted person, and was delivered up to the
goel (Deuteronomy 19:11-13). If the offence was merely manslaughter,
then the fugitive must remain within the city till the death of the high
priest (Numbers 35:25).
- AVIM a people dwelling in Hazerim, or “the villages” or “encampments”
on the south-west corner of the sea-coast (Deuteronomy 2:23). They were
subdued and driven northward by the Caphtorim. A trace of them is
afterwards found in Joshua 13:3, where they are called Avites. - AWL an instrument only referred to in connection with the custom of
boring the ear of a slave (Exodus 21:6; Deuteronomy 15:17), in token of
his volunteering perpetual service when he might be free. (Comp. Psalm
40:6; Isaiah 50:5). - AXE used in the Authorized Version of Deuteronomy 19:5; 20:19; 1
Kings 6:7, as the translation of a Hebrew word which means “chopping.”
It was used for felling trees (Isaiah 10:34) and hewing timber for building.
It is the rendering of a different word in Judges 9:48, 1 Samuel 13:20, 21,
Psalm 74:5, which refers to its sharpness. In 2 Kings 6:5 it is the
translation of a word used with reference to its being made of iron. In
Isaiah 44:12 the Revised Version renders by “axe” the Hebrew maatsad,
which means a “hewing” instrument. In the Authorized Version it is
rendered “tongs.” It is also used in Jeremiah 10:3, and rendered “axe.” The
“battle-axe” (army of Medes and Persians) mentioned in Jeremiah 51:20
was probably, as noted in the margin of the Revised Version, a “maul” or
heavy mace. In Psalm 74:6 the word so rendered means “feller.” (See the
figurative expression in Matthew 3:10; Luke 3:9.) - AZAL (Zechariah 14:5) should perhaps be rendered “very near” = “the
way of escape shall be made easy.” If a proper name, it may denote some
place near the western extremity of the valley here spoken of near
Jerusalem. - AZARIAH whom Jehovah helps. (1.) Son of Ethan, of the tribe of Judah
(1 Chronicles 2:8).