Faith & Reason Nexus

And of the cities which you give, you shall have six cities of refuge. You shall appoint three cities on this side of the Jordan, and three cities you shall appoint in the land of Canaan, which will be cities of refuge. These six cities shall be for refuge for the children of Israel, for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills a person accidentally may flee there.
Numbers 35:13-15

PURPOSE OF THE CITIES OF REFUGE: For those who had committed accidental manslaughter.

SIX CITIES OF REFUGE

WESTERN SIDE OF JORDAN

1. KEDESH in Galilee
2. SHECHEM in Ephraim
3. HEBRON in Judah

EASTERN SIDE OF JORDAN

• The city was a refuge for the “avenger of blood,” the victim’s nearest male relative, obligated to avenge his relative’s death. (Joshua 20:7)
• The refugee had to declare his cause to the elders at the gate of the city. Could remain in the city until released from banishment by the death of the high priest.
• If the refugee ventured outside the borders and encountered the avenger, the avenger could avenge his relative’s death without being guilty of blood. (Numbers 35:26-27)

1. BEZER (Bozrah) of Reuben
2. RAMOTH-GILDEAD of Gad
3. GOLAN in Bashan of Manasseh (Joshua 20:8)