Numbers 35

Numbers 35:1

CITIES GIVEN TO THE LEVITESAs we have learned, the Levites were taken from among the children of Israel instead of the firstborn. The Levites belonged to the Lord. They were not given a section of the land of Israel, but they were given cities to live in. The suburbs are the pasture lands which were also reserved for the Levites.

Numbers 35:4

Of the forty-eight cities which were assigned to the Levites, six of them were designated as cities of refuge.

Numbers 35:9

The Levites were to set up three such cities on the east side of Jordan and three on the west side of Jordan. A man who had unwittingly killed a person could flee to the city of refuge. This would save him from mob action or from the action of some zealous person or relative who might be emotionally wrought up at the time. This gave time for a fair trial later.

Numbers 35:24

Notice, however, that the protection of the cities of refuge did not apply for the willful murderer.

Numbers 35:30

Now the Lord gives the reason for these commandments.