“The cities that you give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, where you shall permit the manslayer to flee, and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While the verse mentions six cities of refuge, it's easy to overlook that these are specifically part of a larger allocation to the Levites. This detail reveals God's intentional care, not only for providing protection but also for giving the Levites, who had no tribal land inheritance, a widespread and secure dwelling place throughout the entire nation.
“The cities that you give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, where you shall permit the manslayer to flee, and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This instruction is part of God's detailed commands for the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Moses is being told how to divide the land, specifically concerning the Levites, who were set apart for God's service and didn't receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes. Therefore, God mandates that they be given cities to live in throughout Israel, and this verse specifies that six of these cities are to be designated as cities of refuge.
Ever wonder why the Levites, a whole tribe, didn't get land like everyone else? God had a special plan for them, and it involved being spread out across the whole land.
The tribe of Levi was unique. Unlike the other tribes, they didn't receive a territory to inherit. Instead, God commanded that they be given cities to live in within the territories of the other tribes. This wasn't a punishment, but a calling!
Why the Dispersion?
Imagine accidentally causing someone's death. Fear would grip your heart! God, in His mercy, established special cities for those who needed protection.
Among the cities allocated to the Levites, a special group of six were designated as 'cities of refuge.' These weren't just random towns; they were intentional sanctuaries.
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Who Found Refuge?
It's not just the six refuge cities; the Levites received a substantial number of cities. What does this total tell us about God's provision?
Numbers 35:6-7 lays out the full picture: six cities of refuge, plus an additional forty-two cities. This totals forty-eight cities given to the Levites.
The Significance of the Numbers:
Understand the original words
ʿārîm · Hebrew Noun (plural)
The sacred, central place of residence for the tribe of Levi, who were set apart by God for priestly and tabernacle service, possessing no inheritance of land themselves but living among the other tribes.
miqlāṭ · Hebrew Noun
Designated locations appointed by God to provide asylum for someone who committed unintentional homicide, preventing immediate retaliatory blood vengeance while legal adjudication could take place.
rōṣēaḥ · Hebrew Noun
One who has caused the death of another person, specifically used in legal contexts regarding the transition from accidental killing to judicial review.
This directive to establish cities of refuge within Levitical cities highlights God's concern for justice and mercy, even in a society with a strong blood-vengeance custom. It underscores the Levites' role as mediators and the provision for unintentional harm amidst the ongoing process of settling the promised land.
c. 1446 BC
Conquest of Canaan begins
Following their exodus from Egypt and wilderness wanderings, the Israelites under Joshua begin their military campaign to conquer the land promised to Abraham. This sets the stage for dividing the land and assigning cities.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Division of the Land of Canaan
After the conquest, the land is systematically divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, with specific portions allocated for the Levites who did not receive a territorial inheritance.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Levitical Cities and Cities of Refuge Appointed
As part of the land distribution and establishing laws for settled life, God commands the Israelites to give cities to the Levites for their dwelling, including six designated as cities of refuge for those who committed unintentional homicide.
c. 1300 BC
Joshua's Death and subsequent tribal leadership
After Joshua's death, the leadership transitions to tribal elders. The maintenance and use of the cities of refuge become crucial as the nation navigates justice and communal order without a centralized monarchy.
This passage first introduces the concept of a place of refuge for those who unintentionally cause death, setting the stage for the detailed instructions given in Numbers.
Deuteronomy 19:1-13This passage reiterates and expands upon the law of the cities of refuge, reinforcing their purpose and the process for identifying who qualifies for sanctuary.
Joshua 20:1-9This passage shows the practical fulfillment of the command, detailing how the cities of refuge were actually designated and made accessible to those fleeing.
Hebrews 6:17-18This New Testament passage draws a direct parallel between the Old Testament cities of refuge and the hope found in Christ, illustrating a spiritual application of the ancient law.
calvinNumbers 35:1-8: "And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,"
Et loquutus est Jehova in campestribus Moab juxta Jordanem. Jericho, dicendo:
Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.
Praecipe filiis Israel ut dent Levitis de haereditate possessionis suae urbes ad habitandum, et suburban…
ellicottNumbers 35:6: "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."
(6, 7, 8) And among the cities which ye shall give . . . — The construction of this verse is involved; or, rather, there is a suspension of the subject in Numbers 35:6 , and a resumption of it in Numbers 35:7-8 . The verses may be rendered thus: And as to the cities which…
While the verse mentions six cities of refuge, it's easy to overlook that these are specifically part of a larger allocation to the Levites. This detail reveals God's intentional care, not only for providing protection but also for giving the Levites, who had no tribal land inheritance, a widespread and secure dwelling place throughout the entire nation.
This instruction is part of God's detailed commands for the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Moses is being told how to divide the land, specifically concerning the Levites, who were set apart for God's service and didn't receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes. Therefore, God mandates that they be given cities to live in throughout Israel, and this verse specifies that six of these cities are to be designated as cities of refuge.
This instruction is part of God's detailed commands for the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Moses is being told how to divide the land, specifically concerning the Levites, who were set apart for God's service and didn't receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes. Therefore, God mandates that they be given cities to live in throughout Israel, and this verse specifies that six of these cities are to be designated as cities of refuge.
"“The cities that you give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, where you shall permit the manslayer to flee, and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities." — While the verse mentions six cities of refuge, it's easy to overlook that these are specifically part of a larger allocation to the Levites. This detail reveals God's intentional care, not only for…
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Last reviewed October 2026