Lexical Summary miqlat: Refuge, asylum Original Word: מִקְלָט Strong's Exhaustive Concordance refuge From qalat in the sense of taking in; an asylum (as a receptacle) -- refuge. see HEBREW qalat NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition refuge, asylum NASB Translation refuge (20). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִקְלָט noun [masculine] refuge, asylum (P Chronicles); — ׳עָרֵי מ asylum-cities Numbers 35:11,13,14, ׳עָרֵי הַמּ Numbers 35:6; Joshua 20:2, so 1 Chronicles 6:42; 1 Chronicles 6:52 (but read ׳עִיר הַמּ according to "" Joshua 21:13,21, so Be Kau Kit), ׳לְמ (after הָיָה) Numbers 35:12,15; Joshua 20:3; construct in phrase עִיר מִקְלַט הָרֹצֵחַ Joshua 21:13,21,27,32,38 (Gi; Joshua 21:36 van d. H. Baer); suffix of refugee, עִיר מִקְלָטוֺ Numbers 35:25,26,27,28,32. Topical Lexicon Definition and Conceptמִקְלָט (miqlat) denotes a place of refuge, especially the six Levitical “cities of refuge” instituted by the LORD through Moses. These urban sanctuaries functioned as havens for anyone who killed another person unintentionally, shielding the manslayer from the “avenger of blood” until impartial judgment could be rendered (Numbers 35:11–12). Biblical Occurrences The noun appears twenty times, all within narratives that regulate and rehearse Israel’s system of asylum (Numbers 35; Joshua 20–21; 1 Chronicles 6). The first cluster (Numbers 35) lays down the divine legislation; the second (Joshua 20–21) records Joshua’s faithful implementation; the final mentions (1 Chronicles 6:57, 67) catalog Levitical allotments in post-exilic memory. Each use underscores the covenant community’s responsibility to administer both justice and mercy. Divine Provision of Mercy The cities of refuge embody the LORD’s concern for due process and the sanctity of life. While murder demanded capital punishment (Genesis 9:6; Numbers 35:16–21), inadvertent manslaughter called for protection until a fair trial. “These cities will be a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the congregation” (Numbers 35:12). In a culture deeply rooted in clan honor, this legislation curbed blood-feud vengeance and upheld measured jurisprudence. Legal and Ritual Framework 1. Eligibility: Both Israelite and resident alien were equally covered (Numbers 35:15), illustrating a universal standard of justice within Israel’s borders. Geographical Distribution Six cities, three west and three east of the Jordan, ensured accessibility within a day’s journey from any point in the land (Deuteronomy 19:3 implies maintained roads). They were strategically placed among Levitical towns (Joshua 21:13, 21, 27, 32, 38) so that priestly oversight would preserve the sanctity and legal integrity of the asylum. • Kedesh in Galilee (Naphtali) Priestly and Atonement Themes Residence lasted until the high priest’s death, a provision linking sanctuary to priesthood and atonement. The passing of the anointed mediator marked a reset for the offender and the land, hinting at substitutionary patterns later fulfilled in Christ, the ultimate High Priest whose death liberates sinners permanently (Hebrews 7:23–27). Typological Significance The cities prefigure the gospel refuge found in Jesus Christ: • Urgency and Accessibility: “We who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged” (Hebrews 6:18) echoes the flight to miqlat. Pastoral and Discipleship Applications 1. Evangelism: The motif supplies ready gospel imagery—Christ as the accessible, appointed refuge for the repentant. Key References for Study Numbers 35:6; 35:11–15; 35:25–28, 32 Joshua 20:2–6; 21:13, 21, 27, 32, 38 These passages collectively reveal the heart of God: righteous, merciful, and ultimately redemptive—pointing forward to the perfect refuge found in His Son. Forms and Transliterations הַמִּקְלָ֔ט הַמִּקְלָ֛ט המקלט לְמִקְלָ֑ט לְמִקְלָ֔ט לְמִקְלָ֖ט למקלט מִקְלַ֣ט מִקְלַ֧ט מִקְלָ֖ט מִקְלָט֑וֹ מִקְלָט֔וֹ מִקְלָט֖וֹ מִקְלָטוֹ֙ מקלט מקלטו ham·miq·lāṭ hammikLat hammiqlāṭ lə·miq·lāṭ lemikLat ləmiqlāṭ mikLat miklaTo miq·lā·ṭōw miq·laṭ miq·lāṭ miqlaṭ miqlāṭ miqlāṭōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 35:6 HEB: שֵׁשׁ־ עָרֵ֣י הַמִּקְלָ֔ט אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּתְּנ֔וּ NAS: cities of refuge, which KJV: cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint INT: the six cities of refuge which shall give Numbers 35:11 Numbers 35:12 Numbers 35:13 Numbers 35:14 Numbers 35:15 Numbers 35:25 Numbers 35:26 Numbers 35:27 Numbers 35:28 Numbers 35:32 Joshua 20:2 Joshua 20:3 Joshua 21:13 Joshua 21:21 Joshua 21:27 Joshua 21:32 Joshua 21:38 1 Chronicles 6:57 1 Chronicles 6:67 20 Occurrences |
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