Topical Encyclopedia The concept of Cities of Refuge is a significant aspect of the ancient Israelite legal system as outlined in the Old Testament. These cities were designated places where individuals who had committed unintentional manslaughter could seek asylum from the avenger of blood, a family member seeking retribution for the deceased. The establishment and function of these cities are primarily detailed in the books of Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua.Biblical Foundation and Purpose The Cities of Refuge were instituted by God through Moses as part of the Mosaic Law. 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 will be a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly." The primary purpose of these cities was to provide a fair trial for the accused, ensuring that justice was served without the influence of personal vengeance. This system underscored the value of human life and the importance of due process, even in cases of accidental death. The Trial Process Upon reaching a City of Refuge, the accused was required to present their case to the city elders. As stated in Joshua 20:4 , "When someone flees to one of these cities, he is to stand at the entrance of the city gate and state his case before the elders of that city. Then they are to admit him into the city and give him a place to live among them." The trial process was crucial in determining the intent behind the act of killing. If the assembly found that the death was indeed accidental, the individual was allowed to remain in the city under protection. However, if the act was deemed intentional, the person would be handed over to the avenger of blood, as per the law. Duration of Asylum The period of asylum in a City of Refuge was not indefinite. Numbers 35:25 specifies that the manslayer must remain in the city until the death of the high priest, after which they could return to their own land without fear of retribution: "The assembly must protect the manslayer from the avenger of blood and send him back to the city of refuge to which he fled. He must remain there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil." This provision highlights the role of the high priest as a mediator and the symbolic cleansing associated with his death, which allowed the manslayer to reintegrate into society. Designated Cities Six cities were designated as Cities of Refuge: Kedesh, Shechem, and Hebron on the west side of the Jordan River, and Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan on the east side (Joshua 20:7-8). These cities were strategically located to be accessible to all Israelites, ensuring that anyone in need could reach safety in a reasonable time. Theological Significance The Cities of Refuge serve as a profound illustration of God's justice and mercy. They reflect the balance between the sanctity of life and the need for justice, while also providing a foreshadowing of the ultimate refuge found in Christ. As Hebrews 6:18 suggests, believers "have fled to take hold of the hope set before us," drawing a parallel between the refuge offered by these cities and the spiritual refuge offered by faith in Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 35:12,24And they shall be to you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Acts xxv. 23 The Genuine Acts of Peter. With the Rev. William Burns Appeal to the Christian Women of the South Preface to the Benedictine Edition. Christian Cemeteries. The Strait Gate; 1 Cor. Iv. 6 Order and Argument in Prayer The Religious Revolution Resources What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Abraham bargain with God in regard to Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18)? | GotQuestions.org Who were the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites? | 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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