Answers to March 17 Questions

In verses 2 and 3, what are the rules concerning the cities of refuge? They are to establish three cities of refuge on the west side of the Jordan River so a person who accidentally killed someone else may take refuge there. They are also to prepare roads to those cities

Why are the preparations of the roads and the locations of the cities of refuge important? To give the manslayer a good chance to easily reach the nearest city of refuge

Was the manslayer considered guilty or innocent? innocent

How many witnesses are necessary to convict someone? At least two

What is the punishment for a false witness? The punishment for whatever crime for which he is accusing his neighbor

Who is to encourage the people before they go to battle? The priest

Who is not obligated to fight? Those who have built a house, planted a vineyard or is engaged to be married but had not yet partaken of any of these things

When they go to take a city, what is Israel to offer them before the battle? Terms of surrender

If the city surrenders, what is the army to do? Accept tribute from them and let them live

What are they to do if the city does not surrender? Kill all the males and take everything else for plunder

What is the principle in 20:19-20? Not to destroy something that has a greater usefulness than fulfilling a need that appears immediate and can be resolved by using other resources

What is Israel to do in the case of a murder victim found in an open field? Judges would measure to find which town is the closest. The people of that town would have to offer a heifer that hasn’t worked to a field that hasn’t been worked and that has flowing water; they are to break the heifer’s neck and the elders are to wash their hands and declare to the priests that they have no knowledge of the crime; they are to ask for the Lord’s atonement; this is so innocent blood would not pollute the land

How can a woman captured in war become a wife of a Hebrew? She must shave her heard trim her nails and be given a month to mourn her family’s death; then they can marry

What is the law concerning the firstborn? If a man has two wives, the first born son has the birthright (double portion), no matter how the father may feel about each of his wives

What is the punishment for a disobedient son? Death by stoning

According to 21:23, who is cursed? One hanged on a tree