Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "accidentally" often pertains to actions or events that occur without intent or premeditation. The Bible addresses accidental occurrences, particularly in the context of the law and moral responsibility, acknowledging human fallibility and the need for justice tempered with mercy.
Accidental Killing and Cities of RefugeOne of the most significant discussions of accidental actions in the Bible is found in the laws concerning manslaughter. The Mosaic Law makes a clear distinction between intentional murder and accidental killing. In
Numbers 35:11-12 , God instructs Moses to establish cities of refuge: "Select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that the accused may not die until he stands trial before the assembly."
These cities of refuge were a provision of God's justice, allowing someone who had killed another unintentionally to seek asylum and avoid the wrath of the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted. This system underscores the importance of intent in determining guilt and the need for a compassionate legal system that considers human error.
Accidental Harm and RestitutionThe Bible also addresses accidental harm in the context of property and personal injury.
Exodus 21:33-34 provides guidance on liability for accidental damage: "If a man opens or digs a pit and fails to cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, the owner of the pit must make restitution. He must pay its owner, and the dead animal will be his."
This passage highlights the principle of responsibility for one's actions, even when harm is caused unintentionally. The requirement for restitution reflects a balance between justice and mercy, ensuring that victims are compensated while recognizing the absence of malicious intent.
Accidental Sin and AtonementThe concept of accidental sin is also addressed in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament.
Leviticus 4 outlines the procedures for atonement when someone sins unintentionally.
Leviticus 4:2 states, "Speak to the Israelites and say, 'When anyone sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD’s commands...'"
The provision for unintentional sins through specific sacrifices demonstrates God's understanding of human imperfection and His desire for reconciliation. It emphasizes the need for awareness and repentance, even when sin is not deliberate.
New Testament PerspectiveIn the New Testament, the principle of mercy and forgiveness for unintentional wrongs is echoed in the teachings of Jesus. While the term "accidentally" is not explicitly used, the spirit of forgiveness and understanding is evident. For instance, Jesus' prayer on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (
Luke 23:34), reflects a profound acknowledgment of human ignorance and the need for divine grace.
ConclusionThe biblical treatment of accidental actions reveals a nuanced approach to justice, emphasizing intent, responsibility, and the provision of mercy. Through the laws of the Old Testament and the teachings of the New Testament, the Bible provides a framework for understanding and addressing accidental occurrences within a moral and spiritual context.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) In an accidental manner; unexpectedly; by chance; unintentionally; casually; fortuitously; not essentially.
Strong's Hebrew
7122. qara -- to encounter, befall... A primitive root: to encounter, whether
accidentally or in a hostile manner -- befall,
(by) chance, (cause to) come (upon), fall out, happen, meet.
...Library
Whether the Human Nature was United to the Word of God...
... OF THE MODE OF UNION OF THE WORD INCARNATE (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether the
human nature was united to the Word of Godaccidentally?...
What is Said of God in Time, is Said Relatively, notAccidentally.
... Book V. Chapter 16."What is Said of God in Time, is Said Relatively, Not
Accidentally. 17. Nor let it trouble us that the Holy...
Whether God Can Make the Past not to have Been?
... to have been. For what is impossible in itself is much more impossible
than that which is only impossibleaccidentally. But God...
Whether God Wills Evils?
... the will. Nevertheless evil may be soughtaccidentally, so far as it
accompanies a good, as appears in each of the appetites. For...
Whether the Soul is in Each Part of the Body?
... The first kind of totality does not apply to forms, except perhapsaccidentally;
and then only to those forms, which have an indifferent relationship to a...
Whether a Man is Required to Believe Anything Explicitly
... that which in itself is properly the object of the virtue, and which is essential
to its every act; second, whatever attachesaccidentally or consequentially...
Whether Faith is the First of the virtues
... I:answer: one thing may precede another in two ways, either essentially oraccidentally....
Some other virtues, however, may precede faithaccidentally....
Whether Death and Other Defects of the Body are the Effects of Sin
... death by sin.". I:answer: one thing may be the cause of another in either
of two ways"either through itself, oraccidentally. It is...
Whether the Will is Evil when it is at Variance with Erring Reason...
... or malice of the will depends; not indeed on account of the object according as
it is in its own nature; but according as it isaccidentally apprehended by...
Whether Truth Resides Only in the Intellect?
... Now a thing understood may be in relation to an intellect either essentially
oraccidentally. It is related essentially to an intellect...
Thesaurus
Accidentally (5 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Accidentally (5 Occurrences).
... Joshua 20:3 that the manslayer
who kills any person
accidentally or unintentionally may flee there.
...Accident (3 Occurrences)
Siloam (4 Occurrences)
... Many years ago (1880) a youth, while wading up the conduit by which the water enters
the pool,accidentally discovered an inscription cut in the rock, on the...
Ezekiel (4 Occurrences)
... that the 30th year had a special significance for the tribe of Levi (Numbers 4:3,
13, 10, 39), and that later on, and surely notaccidentally, both Jesus and...
Nazirite (10 Occurrences)
... A formal vow was, however, taken; and from the form of renewal of the vow, when
by any means it wasaccidentally broken, we may judge that the head was also...
Unintentionally (20 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV NIV). Joshua 20:3 that the manslayer who kills any personaccidentally
or unintentionally may flee there. They shall be to...
Jazer (13 Occurrences)
... SEA OF JAZER. (yam ya`zer): This is a scribal error (Jeremiah 48:32), yam ("sea")
beingaccidentally imported from the preceding clause. See JAZER; SEA....
Glean (12 Occurrences)
... The corners of fields were not to be reaped, and the sheafaccidentally left behind
was not to be fetched away, according to the law of Moses (Leviticus 19:9...
Gihon (6 Occurrences)
... In 1880 an inscription wasaccidentally discovered on the wall of the tunnel about
nineteen feet from where it opens into the Pool of Siloam....
Wantonly (8 Occurrences)
... recklessly; lasciviously. 2. (adv.) Unintentionally;accidentally.
Multi-Version Concordance Wantonly (8 Occurrences). Revelation...
Resources
Why are the newer translations of the Bible missing verses? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a trespass offering / guilt offering? | GotQuestions.orgDid the Romans give Jesus 39 lashes? | GotQuestions.orgAccidentally: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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