Numbers 35:6

“The Levites' Cities and Pasturelands”· Numbers 35:1–8Read in context
King James Version
And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.
KJV (with Strong's)
And among the cities H5892 which ye shall give H5414 unto the Levites H3881 there shall be six H8337 cities H5892 for refuge H4733, which ye shall appoint H5414 for the manslayer H7523, that he may flee H5127 thither: and to them ye shall add H5414 forty H705 and two H8147 cities H5892.
Complete Jewish Bible
The cities you give to the L'vi'im are to be the six cities of refuge to which you permit the person who kills someone to flee to; plus an additional forty-two cities.
Berean Standard Bible
Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities.
American Standard Version
And the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which ye shall give for the manslayer to flee unto: and besides them ye shall give forty and two cities.
World English Bible Messianic
“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. Besides them you shall give forty-two cities.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And of the cities which yee shall giue vnto the Leuites, there shalbe sixe cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint, that he which killeth, may flee thither: and to them yee shall adde two and fourtie cities more.
Young's Literal Translation
`And the cities which ye give to the Levites are the six cities of refuge, which ye give for the fleeing thither of the man-slayer, and besides them ye give forty and two cities;
Translation
See also
Joshua 21:13Joshua 21:3Joshua 21:38Joshua 21:27Joshua 21:32Psalms 9:9Joshua 21:21
In the KJVVerse 4,852 of 31,102 · 15.6%

Study this verse

Summary

Numbers 35:6 outlines a crucial aspect of Israelite social and legal infrastructure: the establishment of six designated cities of refuge. These cities, drawn from the allocation of forty-eight total cities provided to the Levites, were divinely appointed as sanctuaries for individuals who had unintentionally caused the death of another. This provision offered a critical legal pathway, allowing the "manslayer" to flee from the immediate threat of blood vengeance and ensuring a fair process that distinguished between accidental killing and premeditated murder, thereby upholding both justice and mercy within God's covenant community.

Context

Literary Context

Numbers 35:6 is embedded within a comprehensive set of divine instructions concerning the Levites' settlement and the administration of justice in the Promised Land. The preceding verses (Numbers 35:1-5) detail the overall command for Israel to provide forty-eight cities, along with their surrounding pasturelands, to the tribe of Levi. This was a unique provision, as the Levites, dedicated to priestly and liturgical service, were not to receive a tribal land inheritance like the other eleven tribes. Verse 6 then specifies that a subset of these cities, six to be precise, would serve a distinct judicial function as cities of refuge. The subsequent verses (Numbers 35:7-8) reiterate the total number of Levitical cities and their distribution, while the remainder of the chapter (Numbers 35:9-34) meticulously elaborates on the laws governing these cities, defining the critical distinction between intentional murder and unintentional killing, and outlining the legal procedures for those seeking asylum. This entire section provides the practical framework for Israel's settlement, ensuring both the support of the priestly tribe and the establishment of a righteous legal system.

Historical & Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, and particularly within tribal societies, the custom of "blood vengeance" was a prevalent and deeply entrenched practice. If a person was killed, it was the sacred duty of the victim's closest male relative, known as the "avenger of blood" (Hebrew: go'el haddam), to pursue and execute the killer. While this system aimed to provide a form of retributive justice, it often lacked the nuanced discernment necessary to differentiate between deliberate murder and accidental death. An unintentional killer could face summary execution without any formal hearing or opportunity for defense. The divine establishment of cities of refuge in Israel, therefore, represented a groundbreaking legal and social innovation. It introduced a structured legal process that mitigated the harshness of blood vengeance, ensuring that only those truly guilty of premeditated murder faced capital punishment, while offering a sanctuary and a fair trial for those whose actions were unintentional. This system demonstrated God's profound concern for both justice and mercy, setting a higher moral and legal standard than the surrounding cultures of the time.

Key Themes

Numbers 35:6 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores Divine Provision and Order, as God meticulously plans for the Levites' dwelling places and their integral role in maintaining the nation's spiritual and legal integrity, even without a territorial inheritance, a principle articulated in passages like Numbers 18:20. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the delicate balance between Justice and Mercy inherent in God's law. The cities of refuge provided a divinely ordained mechanism to prevent innocent bloodshed and ensure due process, distinguishing between malicious intent and accidental harm, a principle further detailed in Deuteronomy 19:4-6. Thirdly, the concept of Sanctuary and Asylum is central, offering a safe haven where the accused could await judgment, highlighting God's concern for the vulnerable and His provision for a structured legal system. Finally, the precise instructions regarding the number and purpose of these cities underscore the Holiness and Purity of the Land, emphasizing that bloodshed, even accidental, defiled the land and required a specific, divinely ordained legal response to maintain its sanctity, a theme explored throughout Numbers 35.

Exposition and Analysis

Key Word Analysis

Levites Lêvîyîy' H3881

This term (H3881) refers to a descendant of Levi, the third son of Jacob. The Levites were set apart by God for special service in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, fulfilling priestly and administrative duties. Unlike the other tribes, they did not receive a territorial inheritance in the Promised Land. Instead, they were allocated cities scattered throughout Israel, ensuring their presence among all the tribes to provide spiritual instruction and judicial oversight. The cities of refuge were specifically drawn from these Levitical allocations, underscoring their role in upholding God's law and order.

Refuge miqlâṭ' H4733

The Hebrew word (H4733) directly translates to "an asylum" or "a place of reception." It signifies a secure and designated sanctuary, a haven where one could flee for protection from immediate danger or retribution. In the context of Numbers 35:6, "refuge" denotes a divinely appointed safe harbor, not merely a hiding place, but a location where legal and communal processes would determine the accused's fate, offering protection until a fair trial could be held and due process observed.

Manslayer râtsach' H7523

This term (H7523) comes from a primitive root meaning "to dash in pieces" or "to kill (a human being), especially to murder." While râtsach can indeed refer to a premeditated murderer, in the specific context of the cities of refuge, as clarified by the broader legal framework in Numbers 35 and Deuteronomy 19, it refers to someone who has caused the death of another unintentionally or accidentally, without premeditation or malice aforethought. The very purpose of these cities was to differentiate this "manslayer" from a deliberate, malicious murderer, ensuring that only the latter faced capital punishment while the former received due process and protection from the "avenger of blood."

Flee nûwç' H5127

This primitive root (H5127) means "to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape)." It conveys the urgent action of seeking safety by escaping quickly. In the context of the cities of refuge, it emphasizes the immediate and necessary flight of the unintentional killer to the designated sanctuary to avoid the swift and often indiscriminate retribution of the "avenger of blood." The act of fleeing to the city was the first step in seeking the legal protection and due process offered by God's law.

Verse Breakdown

"And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites"

This opening clause immediately establishes the context for the cities of refuge within the broader divine provision for the tribe of Levi. It reiterates that the Levites, who received no contiguous tribal land, were to be allocated cities dispersed throughout Israel. This arrangement ensured their presence among all the tribes, facilitating their vital role as spiritual instructors, guardians of the Law, and judicial administrators. The cities of refuge were thus integrated into this existing Levitical allocation, leveraging their unique dispersed presence for a national legal and social purpose.

"[there shall be] six cities for refuge"

This specifies the precise number of cities designated for this special purpose. The number six (three on each side of the Jordan River, as later detailed in texts like Deuteronomy 19:9 and Joshua 20:7-8) was divinely ordained, highlighting the accessibility of these havens to all parts of the land of Israel. The phrase "for refuge" (מִקְלָט, miqlâṭ) explicitly defines their primary function: to provide asylum and protection for those who had caused an accidental death.

"which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither"

This clause clarifies the specific beneficiary and the immediate purpose of these cities. They are "appointed" or designated for the "manslayer" (רוֹצֵחַ, râtsach), meaning the one who has killed another unintentionally or without malice. The explicit purpose, "that he may flee thither," underscores the urgency and necessity for the accused to seek immediate sanctuary from the customary blood vengeance until his case could be properly adjudicated by the elders of the city.

"and to them ye shall add forty and two cities"

This final clause completes the numerical instruction regarding the Levitical cities. It states that in addition to the six cities of refuge, another forty-two cities are to be given to the Levites. This brings the total number of Levitical cities to forty-eight (6 + 42 = 48), as confirmed in Numbers 35:7. This comprehensive provision ensured that the Levites, though landless in the traditional sense, were well-distributed and adequately provided for throughout the land of Israel, enabling them to fulfill their diverse responsibilities.

Literary Devices

Numbers 35:6 primarily employs Legal Language and Divine Command. The verse is highly prescriptive, outlining a specific law and its precise implementation ("ye shall give," "ye shall appoint," "ye shall add"). This direct, imperative tone underscores the divine authority behind these instructions, presenting them as non-negotiable statutes for the nascent nation of Israel. The detailed numerical specifications ("six cities," "forty and two cities") are characteristic of the Precision and Order inherent in Mosaic Law, reflecting God's meticulous planning for the societal and legal structure of His people. Furthermore, the very concept of a "city for refuge" itself functions as a powerful Symbol of God's justice tempered with mercy, a designated space where the cycle of vengeance is halted in favor of due process and the potential for clemency. It also serves as a Type or Foreshadowing of a greater spiritual refuge, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

Theological and Thematic Connections

Numbers 35:6 is a profound illustration of God's character, revealing His unwavering commitment to justice, meticulous order, and compassionate mercy within the covenant community. The establishment of cities of refuge demonstrates a divinely instituted legal system far superior to the prevailing customs of the ancient world, which often lacked the discernment to distinguish between intentional murder and unintentional killing. This crucial distinction is not merely a legal technicality but reflects God's deep concern for the sanctity of human life and His desire for a society where justice is administered fairly, protecting the vulnerable and ensuring accountability without arbitrary vengeance. It underscores the defilement that bloodshed brings upon the land, necessitating a divinely appointed mechanism for resolution and cleansing. The very existence of these cities highlights that even within a system of strict law, God provides a pathway for grace and a place of sanctuary for those who genuinely seek it, embodying His desire for reconciliation and redemption.

Deuteronomy 19:4-6Joshua 20:7-9Psalm 46:1

Reflection and Application

The ancient provision of cities of refuge in Numbers 35:6 offers enduring principles for contemporary life, challenging us to consider the importance of just legal systems that differentiate between intent and accident, ensuring due process and protecting the innocent from arbitrary judgment. In a world often quick to condemn, this passage reminds us of God's heart for mercy, even in the face of grave error or tragic consequence. It calls us to actively create spaces and systems in our societies and communities where individuals can find protection, a fair hearing, and a chance for restoration, rather than being immediately overwhelmed by retribution or the mob mentality. Spiritually, it prompts us to reflect on the nature of true refuge. Just as the manslayer fled to a physical city for safety, we are invited to find our ultimate spiritual sanctuary in God, who offers protection from the consequences of sin and the condemnation of the law. This ancient provision thus serves as a powerful reminder of God's meticulous care for His people and His unwavering commitment to both justice and compassionate provision for all who seek Him.

Questions for Reflection

  1. How does the concept of cities of refuge challenge our modern understanding of justice and mercy, particularly in legal and social contexts?
  2. In what ways can we, as individuals or communities, embody the spirit of the cities of refuge by creating "spaces of refuge" for those who are vulnerable, accused, or in need of protection and due process?
  3. How does the distinction between intentional and unintentional killing in this passage inform our understanding of personal responsibility, accountability, and the need for grace today?
  4. What does it mean for God to be our "refuge" in a spiritual sense, and how can we actively seek and rest in that refuge in our daily lives?

FAQ

What was the primary purpose of the cities of refuge?

The primary purpose of the cities of refuge was to provide a legal sanctuary for individuals who had unintentionally caused the death of another, distinguishing them from premeditated murderers. This system allowed the "manslayer" to flee to a designated city for protection from the "avenger of blood" (the victim's closest male relative who had the right to exact retribution) until a fair trial could be held before the elders of the city. If found to have killed unintentionally, the manslayer would reside in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest, after which they could return to their own land without fear of vengeance. This mechanism ensured justice, prevented arbitrary killings, and introduced a crucial element of mercy into the Israelite legal system, as detailed in Numbers 35:9-34.

Why were these cities given to the Levites?

The cities of refuge were specifically designated from among the cities given to the Levites for several reasons. Firstly, the Levites did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes, as their inheritance was the Lord Himself and their service in the Tabernacle/Temple (as stated in Numbers 18:20). Therefore, they were allocated cities throughout the land. Secondly, the Levites were the spiritual and judicial administrators of Israel, responsible for teaching God's law and assisting in its application. Placing the cities of refuge under their oversight ensured that proper legal and religious counsel would be available to those seeking asylum, and that the trials would be conducted according to divine statutes, maintaining the sanctity of the land and the integrity of justice. This arrangement also made the cities geographically accessible to all tribes, as the Levites were dispersed throughout the land.

Christ-Centered Fulfillment

The cities of refuge, established in Numbers 35:6, serve as a profound Old Testament type pointing to the ultimate and eternal refuge found in Jesus Christ. Just as the manslayer fled to a designated city for protection from the avenger of blood and the condemnation of the law, so too does humanity, universally guilty of sin (even if often unintentionally in its full implications), find sanctuary from the righteous judgment and condemnation of God's holy law in Christ. The manslayer's stay in the city was conditional, lasting until the death of the high priest, after which they could return home, fully acquitted and free. This powerfully foreshadows the atoning death of our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, whose once-for-all sacrifice on the cross not only provides a temporary reprieve but a complete, eternal, and unconditional forgiveness for all who "flee" to Him in faith. He is our true and eternal "refuge," a safe harbor not from a human avenger, but from the spiritual consequences of sin and the just wrath of God. As Hebrews 6:18 declares, we "who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us" have strong encouragement in Him. Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the sanctuary principle, offering not just a place of temporary safety, but complete reconciliation, eternal life, and freedom for all who believe, fulfilling the promise of a refuge that transcends any earthly city, as echoed in Psalm 91:2 and Proverbs 18:10.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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