Numbers Chapter 35 — Cities of the Levites and Refuge
God commands Israel to provide forty-eight cities for the Levites, including six cities of refuge designated to protect individuals from the avenger of blood.
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Notable Verses
Numbers 35:6
“The cities which you shall give to the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the man slayer to flee to.”
This establishes the primary purpose of these specific cities as a safe haven within the legal system of Israel.
Numbers 35:30
“Whoever kills any person, the murderer shall be slain based on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness shall not testify alone against any person so that he dies.”
This verse highlights the biblical requirement for multiple witnesses to ensure a fair and just legal proceeding.
Numbers 35:34
“You shall not defile the land which you inhabit, where I dwell; for I, the LORD, dwell among the children of Israel.”
This verse explains the spiritual significance of maintaining justice and purity in the land where God resides with His people.
Chapter Summary
In Numbers 35, the Lord instructs Moses while in the plains of Moab to assign forty-eight cities and surrounding pasture lands to the Levites from the tribal inheritances of the other tribes. Among these, six are specifically designated as cities of refuge—three on the east side of the Jordan and three within the land of Canaan. These cities serve as a sanctuary for those who commit unintentional manslaughter, protecting them from the 'avenger of blood' until a formal trial can take place before the congregation. The chapter distinguishes clearly between premeditated murder and accidental death, requiring the testimony of at least two witnesses for a death penalty conviction. A person granted refuge must remain within the city's borders until the death of the current high priest to remain safe. Furthermore, the text strictly forbids taking ransoms for murderers or those in refuge, emphasizing that blood pollutes the land and requires specific atonement to maintain the sanctity of God's dwelling place among the Israelites.
Frequently Asked Questions
These were six specific cities designated as places of safety for individuals who had killed someone accidentally. Three were located on the east side of the Jordan and three were in the land of Canaan, ensuring a person could flee there to await a fair trial.
A total of forty-eight cities were given to the Levites from the tribal inheritances of Israel. This included forty-two general cities and the six designated cities of refuge, all accompanied by surrounding pasture lands for their livestock.
If a man slayer left the boundaries of the city of refuge before the death of the high priest, they were no longer protected. If the avenger of blood found them outside the city and killed them, the avenger would not be held guilty of blood.
The death of the high priest served as the official release for those living in the cities of refuge. Once the high priest died, the man slayer was permitted to return to their own land without fear of retribution from the avenger of blood.
Study Note
The measurement of two thousand cubits for pasture lands around the cities illustrates the intentional urban planning required to support the Levites' livestock while they served the community.
Related Chapters
Joshua 20
This chapter records the actual fulfillment and naming of the six cities of refuge.
Deuteronomy 19
This parallel passage provides additional laws regarding the cities of refuge and the importance of justice.
Leviticus 25
Offers context on property laws and the inheritance rights that govern the Levites' land.
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