bloodguilt

Guilt incurred through unnecessary or unrighteous bloodshed. The NRSV uses this term in three passages. In (Exod 22:2-3), bloodguilt is not to be incurred by someone killing a thief in the act of breaking in unless it occurs after sunrise. (Lev 17:4) assigns bloodguilt to one who fails to bring a slaughtered animal to the tabernacle as an offering. (1Sam 25:26), (1Sam 25:33) describes David’s avoiding bloodguilt for an act of vengeance regarding Abigail’s husband.