Numbers 35:6-7
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While the verse specifies six cities of refuge, it also states these are among the cities given to the Levites, totaling forty-eight. This highlights that the Levites' primary role was to be dispersed throughout the land, acting as centers of teaching and spiritual guidance, with these special refuge cities woven into their communal life. The distinction emphasizes that safety and spiritual instruction were integrated within the broader purpose of the Levitical cities.
“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. All the cities that you give to the Levites shall be forty-eight, with their pasturelands.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is detailing the distribution of cities for the Levites, the priestly tribe who received no land inheritance. This instruction specifies that out of the total cities given to them, six will serve as cities of refuge for accidental manslaughter, with forty-two additional cities for their general dwelling. This provision ensures the Levites are spread throughout the land to teach God's law while also providing sanctuary for those who have unintentionally caused death.
Why would the Levites, a tribe without land inheritance, receive so many cities? It wasn't just about housing; it was about mission.
The tribe of Levi had a unique calling: to be God's representatives throughout Israel. Unlike other tribes who received land to farm and build, the Levites were set apart for sacred duties – teaching God's Law, maintaining worship, and serving as spiritual guides.
This is why they were given so many cities (48 in total, including the cities of refuge). These weren't just homes; they were centers of religious life and instruction, spread across the entire land. Think of them as scattered 'lamps' or 'schools' designed to keep God's Word and the people's devotion strong in every corner of Israel. The Levites were meant to be spiritual watchmen, preserving truth and holiness.
In a culture with blood vengeance, how did these cities offer real protection, and what did they signify?
Among the cities given to the Levites, six were designated as 'cities of refuge.' These were specially appointed places where a person who had accidentally killed someone could flee for safety. The key here is 'accidental' – this wasn't for murderers who acted with intent.
The pursuit of justice was fierce, with a 'blood avenger' often seeking retribution. The cities of refuge provided a vital sanctuary, preventing rash and unintended killings. The Levites, as the spiritual leaders, were entrusted with administering these safe havens, ensuring fairness and protection for the unintentional slayer. This system reflects God's deep concern for justice, even amidst the harsh realities of ancient law.
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Why weren't all the Levites concentrated in one area? The distribution reveals God's wisdom in ensuring His Word reached everywhere.
The text highlights that the cities given to the Levites were to be taken 'from the possession of the children of Israel,' with each tribe contributing according to its size. This ensured a wide scattering of Levitical cities across the entire land.
This wasn't just about fairness in giving; it was strategic. By distributing the Levites broadly, God ensured that His teachings and spiritual guidance were accessible to all of Israel, not just those living near a central location. These cities acted like beacons of light, illuminating even distant parts of the land with divine truth. Furthermore, the specific number, six cities of refuge plus forty-two others, totaling 48, shows God's detailed planning for both justice and spiritual care across the nation.
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.
migrāš · Hebrew Noun (plural)
Open land or common grazing fields surrounding the Levitical cities, provided for the sustenance of their livestock and essential for their livelihood within the inheritance of Israel.
This passage details the practical outworking of God's law concerning unintentional killing, highlighting His concern for justice and mercy through the provision of cities of refuge. The distribution of these cities among the Levites underscores their unique role as teachers of the law and mediators of justice throughout the land.
c. 1440 BC— this verse
Levites Assigned Cities
Following the Exodus and the giving of the Law, the Levites were designated to receive cities throughout the land of Israel as their inheritance, rather than a specific territory.
c. 1440 BC
Command for Cities of Refuge
God instructs Moses to designate six specific Levitical cities as cities of refuge for those who committed unintentional homicide.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
After entering the Promised Land, the Israelites conquered territories and allocated the 48 Levitical cities, including the six cities of refuge, from the tribal inheritances.
c. 1380 BC
Settlement of Levites and Refugees
The Levites settled in their allocated cities, and the cities of refuge were prepared and marked to ensure unintentional manslayers could flee to safety.
This passage describes the practical implementation of the cities of refuge, detailing the process of fleeing to them and their purpose, directly fulfilling the command given in Numbers.
Deuteronomy 19:1-13This text reiterates the law of the cities of refuge, emphasizing the distinction between accidental killing and premeditated murder, and the importance of clear boundaries and accessible routes.
Hebrews 6:18The author of Hebrews uses the concept of fleeing for refuge to the hope set before us as a powerful analogy for the security believers find in Christ.
Exodus 21:12-14This earlier passage lays the foundational principle for cities of refuge, stating that whoever strikes a person mortally, if it was not intentional, shall be forced to flee to a designated place of safety.
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 specifies six cities of refuge, it also states these are among the cities given to the Levites, totaling forty-eight. This highlights that the Levites' primary role was to be dispersed throughout the land, acting as centers of teaching and spiritual guidance, with these special refuge cities woven into their communal life. The distinction emphasizes that safety and spiritual instruction were integrated within the broader purpose of the Levitical cities.
God is detailing the distribution of cities for the Levites, the priestly tribe who received no land inheritance. This instruction specifies that out of the total cities given to them, six will serve as cities of refuge for accidental manslaughter, with forty-two additional cities for their general dwelling. This provision ensures the Levites are spread throughout the land to teach God's law while also providing sanctuary for those who have unintentionally caused death.
God is detailing the distribution of cities for the Levites, the priestly tribe who received no land inheritance. This instruction specifies that out of the total cities given to them, six will serve as cities of refuge for accidental manslaughter, with forty-two additional cities for their general dwelling. This provision ensures the Levites are spread throughout the land to teach God's law while also providing sanctuary for those who have unintentionally caused death.
"“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. All the cities that you give to the Levites shall be forty-e…" — While the verse specifies six cities of refuge, it also states these are among the cities given to the Levites, totaling forty-eight. This highlights that the Levites' primary role was to be disper…
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Last reviewed October 2026
