Breakdown of Numbers 35:6-8

"“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…" — This verse reveals that the cities designated for the Levites weren't just random dwelling places; they were specifically chosen to serve a dual purpose: providing homes for the Levites and acting as…

Numbers 35:6-8 Meaning Explained

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Numbers 35:6-8

“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. And as for the cities that you shall give from the possession of the people of Israel, from the larger tribes you shall take many, and from the smaller tribes you shall take few; each, in proportion to the inheritance that it inherits, shall give of its cities to the Levites.”

English Standard Version (ESV)

This verse reveals that the cities designated for the Levites weren't just random dwelling places; they were specifically chosen to serve a dual purpose: providing homes for the Levites and acting as sanctuaries for those who had accidentally caused a death, highlighting God's concern for both order and mercy.

What Numbers 35:6-8 means

God is instructing Moses to designate cities for the Levites, the priestly tribe who had no land inheritance of their own. Among these designated Levitical cities, six are specifically set aside as cities of refuge, places where someone who had accidentally caused a death could flee for safety. In total, forty-eight cities are allocated to the Levites, including these crucial places of asylum.

Levites: God's Presence Throughout the Land

Why did God scatter the Levites across the entire nation instead of giving them one central location?

When God gave Israel the promised land, the Levites, unlike other tribes, didn't receive a contiguous block of territory. Instead, they were given 48 cities spread throughout all the tribal inheritances. This wasn't a punishment, but a strategic distribution.

Divine Dispersal

God intended for the Levites to be His representatives everywhere. Their cities acted like spiritual 'watchtowers' or 'lamps,' ensuring God's law and worship were accessible and visible in every corner of the land. This prevented straying into idolatry and kept the people focused on God's commands. It was a way to maintain spiritual health across the entire nation, with the Levites serving as constant reminders of God's presence and His covenant.

Six Cities of Refuge: Safety and Justice

What made these specific cities so crucial, and who were they meant to protect?

Numbers 35:6 singles out six of the Levitical cities as special 'cities of refuge.' These weren't just any safe havens; they were divinely appointed sanctuaries for those who had accidentally killed someone. The intention wasn't to let murderers escape justice, but to provide a place of safety for those who killed unintentionally, preventing immediate, often fatal, retribution from the victim's family before a proper investigation could occur.

A Double Purpose

The cities of refuge served a dual purpose:

Protection for the Accused: They offered a temporary, safe place for the manslayer to flee, ensuring they wouldn't be killed in the heat of the moment by the 'avenger of blood.'
Administration of Justice: Crucially, these cities were also centers where the case could be judged. If found to be a true accident, the person could remain safe within the city's bounds. If found to be intentional murder, they would be handed over for punishment. The Levites, as spiritual leaders, were seen as impartial enough to oversee this process.

Understand the original words

Original language

citiesעָרִים

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.

cities of refugeמִקְלָט

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.

manslayerרֹצֵחַ

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.

pasturelandsמִגְרָשׁ

migrāš · Hebrew Noun (plural)

Historical context

Written: Likely during the Israelites' wanderings in the wilderness, just before entering the Promised Land (around 1400 BC).
Author: Traditionally understood as Moses, though some scholars suggest it was compiled later by various Levitical priests.
Location: The plains of Moab, near the Jordan River, across from Jericho.
Genre: Law and narrative, characterized by direct commands and explanations of their purpose.

Historical background

The specific number of cities for the Levites, including those for refuge, was determined as the Israelites settled the Promised Land, ensuring a place for worship and justice throughout their new home.

c. 1446 BC
Israel Enters the Promised Land
Following their exodus from Egypt and 40 years of wandering, the Israelites begin conquering and settling the land of Canaan. This marks the beginning of their life as a nation with defined territories.
c. 1446-1406 BC— this verse
Division of Land and Levitical Cities Assigned
The land of Canaan is divided among the tribes. The Levites, who received no territorial inheritance, are assigned 48 cities scattered throughout the territories of the other tribes.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Establishment of Cities of Refuge
Along with the general allotment of Levitical cities, six specific cities are designated as cities of refuge, providing sanctuary for those who unintentionally caused a death.
c. 1406 BC
Death of Joshua
Joshua, the successor to Moses, dies. This period marks the beginning of the era of the Judges, a time characterized by cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance.

Key themes

01Divine provision for the needy
02Levitical service and dwelling
03Sanctuary for unintentional harm
04Cities as centers of instruction

Cross-references

Joshua 20:7

This passage directly describes the appointment and function of the cities of refuge, showing the practical outworking of the command given in Numbers.

Deuteronomy 19:2

This reiterates the command to set aside cities of refuge, emphasizing the purpose of providing a place for the unintentional manslayer to flee for safety.

Hebrews 6:18

The New Testament writer uses the concept of fleeing for refuge to a city of refuge as a metaphor for the hope believers have in Christ.

Exodus 21:13

This earlier passage establishes the principle that God Himself would provide a place for the unintentional manslayer to escape, which is then detailed in Numbers.

Scholarly commentary

Numbers 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…

calvin

Numbers 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…
ellicott

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What Numbers 35:6-8 means

Original language

citiesעָרִים

ʿārîm · Hebrew Noun (plural)

cities of refugeמִקְלָט

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.

manslayerרֹצֵחַ

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.

pasturelandsמִגְרָשׁ

migrāš · Hebrew Noun (plural)

Historical context

Written: Likely during the Israelites' wanderings in the wilderness, just before entering the Promised Land (around 1400 BC).
Author: Traditionally understood as Moses, though some scholars suggest it was compiled later by various Levitical priests.
Location: The plains of Moab, near the Jordan River, across from Jericho.
Genre: Law and narrative, characterized by direct commands and explanations of their purpose.

Historical background

c. 1446 BC

Israel Enters the Promised Land

Following their exodus from Egypt and 40 years of wandering, the Israelites begin conquering and settling the land of Canaan. This marks the beginning of their life as a nation with defined territories.

c. 1446-1406 BC— this verse

Division of Land and Levitical Cities Assigned

The land of Canaan is divided among the tribes. The Levites, who received no territorial inheritance, are assigned 48 cities scattered throughout the territories of the other tribes.

c. 1446-1406 BC

Establishment of Cities of Refuge

Along with the general allotment of Levitical cities, six specific cities are designated as cities of refuge, providing sanctuary for those who unintentionally caused a death.

c. 1406 BC

Death of Joshua

Joshua, the successor to Moses, dies. This period marks the beginning of the era of the Judges, a time characterized by cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance.