The Lord instructed Moses to set aside cities for the Levites, along with common land for their flocks. The Levites would not have an inheritance of expanses of land in Canaan, but would have cities in which to dwell. Six of the Levites cities would be designated as cities of refuge, for the manslayer. Anyone guilty of manslaughter could go to a city of refuge for protection from their relative’s avenger. The Levites would have a total of 48 cities.
The exact rules for the cities of refuge were outlined, and the locations. The unintentional manslayer would be safe in the city of refuge, but the intentional murderer would be guilty and put to death. The various methods by which one could kill another are outlined, and the parameters of accidental killing are outlined as well. The innocent killer would stay in the city of refuge until the high priest died, or else he would be in danger of punishment by death. If he left the city, he would no longer have refuge. Finally, the judgement of a murderer would be only upon the testimony of multiple witnesses, No one would be judged based on one witness. Also, no ransom could be paid to get someone out of a city of refuge.
The cities for the priests continue a long-held principle and practice that ministers should be provided for by those to whom they minister. Their life is not their own, so they are to receive provision from the members of the tribes around them.
Also, the cities of refuge provide a wonderful shadow of the fact that God provides us with refuge, even in the face of our own sin. God gives us the refuge whereby we can escape sure punishment. The grace of God is even on display here in the Old Testament, and will be established as God’s gift from this point further.
Devoted To You 