9:5 I will require . . . require . . . require. This threefold usage of the same Hebrew verb underscores the principle—human life in the image of God (v. 6) is so valuable that God demands as compensation nothing less than the life of the murderer. Ultimately, the Lord is the Vindicator of life (Ps. 9:12; 2 Kin. 9:26). Murder burdens the guilty with its pollution (Num. 35:33; Ps. 106:38) and is expiated by the death of the murderer (v. 6; 1 Kin. 2:31, 32) or through atonement when the murderer is unknown (Deut. 21:7–9). If these measures were not used, it brought the Lord’s judgment on the land (2 Sam. 21; Deut. 19:13; 1 Kin. 2:9, 31–33).

from every beast. See Ex. 21:28, 29.