Topical Encyclopedia The concept of Cities of Refuge is a significant aspect of the Mosaic Law, designed to provide a safe haven for individuals who had committed unintentional manslaughter. These cities were established to ensure that justice was served while also protecting the innocent from undue retribution. The requirement for these cities to be easily accessible is a testament to the merciful and just nature of God's law.Biblical Foundation The establishment of Cities of Refuge is detailed in several passages of the Old Testament, primarily in the books of Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua. Numbers 35:9-15 outlines the initial command from God to Moses regarding these cities: "Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a manslayer who kills someone unintentionally may flee there" . This directive underscores the importance of providing immediate and accessible protection for those in need. Accessibility and Location The requirement for these cities to be easy of access is emphasized in Deuteronomy 19:2-3: "You are to set apart three cities in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess. You shall build roads and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities" . The construction of roads and the strategic placement of these cities were crucial to ensuring that anyone seeking refuge could reach them without delay. The cities were distributed throughout the land, with three on each side of the Jordan River, as described in Joshua 20:7-8. This distribution was intentional, ensuring that no one in Israel was too far from a place of refuge. The cities included Kedesh, Shechem, and Hebron on the west of the Jordan, and Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan on the east. Theological Significance The ease of access to the Cities of Refuge reflects the broader biblical theme of God's justice tempered with mercy. These cities served as a tangible representation of God's provision for His people, ensuring that those who acted without malice had a means of protection. The roads leading to these cities symbolize the path to divine mercy, open and available to all who seek it. The requirement for accessibility also highlights the communal responsibility of the Israelites to maintain these cities and the roads leading to them. This collective effort ensured that the law was upheld and that the innocent were safeguarded, reflecting the communal nature of justice in the biblical narrative. Practical Implications In practice, the ease of access to the Cities of Refuge meant that individuals could quickly escape the avenger of blood, a family member seeking retribution for the death of a relative. This provision allowed for a fair trial and prevented the cycle of vengeance that could arise from blood feuds. The cities functioned as a buffer, allowing time for emotions to settle and for justice to be administered according to God's law. The requirement for these cities to be easily accessible serves as a reminder of the importance of justice systems that are both fair and compassionate. It underscores the need for societies to provide mechanisms for protection and due process, ensuring that the innocent are not unjustly punished. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 19:3You shall prepare you a way, and divide the coasts of your land, which the LORD your God gives you to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 62:10 Library The Gospel Refuge. The Historical Books. Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest Chaldaean Civilization Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ... The Memphite Empire The General Conference of 1840 The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC ) The Close of the Theban Empire --(Continued) Resources Does God killing people make Him a murderer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the strange flesh in Jude 1:7? | GotQuestions.org What were the Dark Ages? | GotQuestions.org Cities: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Cities of Refuge of the Hope of the Gospel Cities of Refuge: (The Way To) Christ Cities of Refuge: Afforded No Asylum to Murderers Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Easy of Access Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Open to all Manslayers Cities of Refuge: Strangers Might Take Advantage of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to not Protected Outside of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Obliged to Remain In, Until the High Priest's Death Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Were Put on Their Trial Cities were Called For: The Country in Which Built Cities were Called For: The Family of the Founder Cities were Called For: The Proprietor of the Land Cities were Frequently: Besieged Cities were Frequently: Burned Cities were Frequently: Depopulated Cities were Frequently: Made Heaps of Ruins Cities were Frequently: Pillaged Cities were Frequently: Razed and Sown With Salt Cities were Frequently: Stormed Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Famine Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Pestilence Cities: A Great Defence to a Country Cities: Afforded Refuge in Times of Danger Cities: Arranged in Streets and Lanes Cities: Artificial Mode of Supplying Water To Cities: Built in Desert Places Cities: Built in Pleasant Situations Cities: Built of Brick and Mortar Cities: Built of Brick and Slime Cities: Built of Stone and Wood Cities: Built with Compactness Cities: Built: Often of a Square Form Cities: Built: On Solid Foundations Cities: Designated as Merchant Cities: Designated as Treasure Cities: Designed for Habitations Cities: Different Kinds of Chariot Cities: Different Kinds of Commercial Cities: Different Kinds of Fenced Cities: Different Kinds of Levitical Cities: Different Kinds of Refuge Cities: Different Kinds of Royal Cities: Different Kinds of Store Cities: Different Kinds of Treasure Cities: Difficulty of Taking, Alluded To Cities: Government of, by Rulers Cities: Inhabitants of, Called Citizens Cities: Often Built to Perpetuate a Name Cities: Often Deserted on the Approach of an Enemy Cities: Often Fortified by Art Cities: Often Fortified by Nature Cities: Often Founded and Enlarged by Blood and Rapine Cities: Often Great and Goodly Cities: Often of Great Antiquity Cities: Prosperity of, Increased by Commerce Cities: Protected at Night by Watchmen Related Terms Chariot-cities (3 Occurrences) Treasure-cities (1 Occurrence) Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) |
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