Topical Encyclopedia The concept of Cities of Refuge is a significant aspect of the legal and moral framework established in the Old Testament, specifically within the Mosaic Law. These cities were designated as safe havens for individuals who had committed unintentional manslaughter, providing them protection from the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted. The establishment and regulations concerning these cities are primarily found in the books of Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua.Biblical Foundation and Purpose The Cities of Refuge were instituted by God as part of the legal system given to the Israelites. In Numbers 35:9-15, the LORD instructs Moses: "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 person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there." These cities were to serve as a refuge from the avenger of blood, a family member seeking to avenge the death of a relative. The purpose of these cities was to ensure that justice was served while preventing the cycle of blood vengeance. They provided a place where the accused could await trial, ensuring that only those guilty of intentional murder would face capital punishment. Deuteronomy 19:4-5 further clarifies: "Now this is the case of the manslayer who may flee there and live: When someone kills his neighbor unintentionally, without prior malice, as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood and his hand swings the axe to cut down a tree, but the iron head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies." Designation and Location Six cities were designated as Cities of Refuge: three on the west side of the Jordan River and three on the east. Joshua 20:7-8 lists them: "So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. And beyond the Jordan east of Jericho, they designated Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau from the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh." These cities were strategically located to be accessible to all Israelites, ensuring that anyone in need could reach them without undue delay. The roads to these cities were maintained to facilitate easy access, reflecting the importance of justice and mercy in the community. Admittance and Protection Admittance to a City of Refuge was granted to those who had killed unintentionally, without premeditation or malice aforethought. The accused had to present their case at the city gate to the elders, who would then allow them entry. Numbers 35:22-25 outlines the process: "But if anyone pushes a person suddenly, without hostility, or throws an object at him unintentionally, or without looking drops a stone that kills him, but he was not an enemy and did not intend to harm him, then the congregation must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances." Once admitted, the individual was protected from the avenger of blood as long as they remained within the city. The protection lasted until the death of the high priest, after which the individual could return home without fear of retribution (Numbers 35:25-28). Limitations of Protection The protection offered by the Cities of Refuge was contingent upon the accused remaining within the city. If the individual left the city boundaries, they forfeited their protection and could be lawfully killed by the avenger of blood. Numbers 35:26-27 states: "But if the manslayer ever goes outside the limits of the city of refuge to which he fled and the avenger of blood finds him outside the city of refuge and kills him, then the avenger will not be guilty of bloodshed." This stipulation underscored the seriousness of the crime and the need for the accused to adhere to the conditions of their refuge. It also highlighted the balance between justice and mercy, ensuring that the sanctity of life was upheld while providing a means for reconciliation and restoration within the community. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 35:26,27But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, where he was fled; Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ... Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest The Empress Theodora The Empress Eudoxia from the Story of Christian Womanhood in Old ... The Genuine Acts of Peter. Justinian. Latitudinarian Churchmanship. The City of God. Index of Subjects. The Holy See and the Wandering of the Nations. 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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