Translations
Original
Notes
The Lord lived among the people of Israel while the Tent of Meeting (the tabernacle) was in the center of the Hebrew camp (see chapters 1–4). This meant that they must not defile their land. They could not ignore God’s commands. They also could not fail to carry out justice as the law required (compare 5:1–4).
Six of the Levites’ towns had a special purpose. They served as cities of refuge. A city of refuge was a place where a person could run for safety after accidentally killing someone.
These cities show the humanitarian (care for human life) side of Hebrew law (see also Deuteronomy 4:41–43; 19:1–13; Joshua 20).
These six towns offered protection when someone killed accidentally or unintentionally (compare Exodus 21:12–14).
The 48 towns given to the Levites were spread throughout Israel. In the same way, the six cities of refuge were placed in different parts of the land. This made them easy to reach for anyone who needed safety (see Joshua 20:7–8).
Before these cities were established, a person could sometimes seek safety by holding on to the altar. The altar was a place connected with worship (for example, 1 Kings 1:50–53; 2:28–34; compare Exodus 21:14).
Other ancient peoples also had places of refuge. Often these places were connected to an altar (see Exodus 21:12–14; 1 Kings 2:28–34). However, only ancient Israel created entire towns as places of safety. This practice shows Israel’s special concern for justice and the protection of human life.
Parallels
People
Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes
Glossary
Arabah Avenger of Blood Biblical Concept of Law Courts and Trials Deuteronomy, Book of Joshua, Book of Moses Numbers, Book of