Exodus 21:13
And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee. And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
The law draws a clear line between deliberate murder and unintentional killing, providing that when a person has not lain in wait but the victim has been delivered into his hand, a place is appointed to which he may flee for refuge. It belongs to the statutes and judgments and additional precepts given to Israel through Moses to illustrate, explain, apply, guard and enforce the Ten Commandments and to make their obligations more fully understood. These detailed directions applied the law to duties toward one another, guided and regulated dealings with one another, guarded against injustice, and were intended to leave no uncertainty about what was required.
Unlike the Ten Commandments, it was not proclaimed directly to the people but was delivered privately to Moses for him to communicate to the people. The reason was that minds blinded and debased by slavery were not prepared to appreciate fully the far-reaching principles of the ten precepts. As part of those laws, it shows the care of the Lord for His people, especially the poor, and the impartiality and high standard of His requirements, and it is to be strictly obeyed. Careful reading of and obedience to it would prevent the condition of things now seen in the world.