God asks Joshua to tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as He instructed him through Moses, Joshua 20:1. Cities of refuge were established in reference to the civil laws of the nation and six of the cities were given to the Levites to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee, Joshua 20:2 / Joshua 20:9 / Numbers 35:6 / Numbers 35:9-11 / Deuteronomy 4:41-43 / Deuteronomy 19:1-14.
They will be places of refuge from the avenger, Joshua 19:3 / Genesis 9:6, so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly, Joshua 20:4 / Numbers 35:12 / Joshua 20:4 / Joshua 20:6.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘If he was found worthy of death, they delivered him to the avenger that he might be slain, Deuteronomy 19:12, if not, they sent him back to the city of refuge, where he remained till the death of the high priest, Numbers 35:25. Before the cities of refuge were appointed, the altar appears to have been a sanctuary for those who had killed a person unwittingly, Exodus 21:13 / Exodus 21:14.’
These six towns will be their cities of refuge, Joshua 20:7-8 / Numbers 35:13. There were three cities of refuge on the west side of the Jordan and three were on the east side, Numbers 35:14. On the west side of the of Jordan, Kedesh, Joshua 20:7, in Galilee was given from the tribe of Naphtali, Joshua 21:32. Shechem, Joshua 20:7, was given from the tribe of Ephraim, Joshua 21:21. Kiriath-Arba, Hebron, Joshua 20:7, was given from the tribe of Judah, Joshua 20:7.
From the east side of the Jordan, Bezer, Joshua 20:8 was given from the tribe of Reuben, Joshua 21:36. Ramoth-Gilead, Joshua 20:8, was given from of the tribe of Gad, Joshua 21:38.Golan in Bashan, Joshua 20:8, was given from the tribe of Manasseh, Joshua 21:27.
Back then cities of refuge had meaning to their names, Shechem means, shoulder or back or strength, Hebron means fellowship, Kedesh means holy, sanctuary, Golan means joy, exultation, Ramoth means high, exalted and Bezer means fortification, stronghold.
These six cities will be a place of refuge for Israelites and for foreigners residing among them, so that anyone who has killed another accidentally can flee there, Joshua 20:9 / Numbers 35:15.
The cities are mentioned in Joshua 20:7-8 / Exodus 21 / Numbers 35 / Deuteronomy 19. Roads leading to these cities were kept in excellent condition, with signposts reading, ‘Refuge! Refuge!’ The cities were no more than half a day’s journey from any other city, Joshua 20:7-8.
The cities were in central locations where they could easily be reached from any part of the country. The cities of refuge were open to all and the doors into the cities were never locked. The cities were stocked with food and there was no protection if a man did not flee to a city of refuge.
The principle behind these cities is based on the law of the avenger who could avenge the death of a relative who was killed. The next of kin had the right to avenge the death of a relative. Unless the avenging relative acted out of the heat of the moment when a relative was accidentally killed, the attacker could escape to a city of refuge until a judgment could be made, Genesis 9:6.
In these verses, we read about the classifications for those who had a right to flee to the cities of refuge. There was a difference between manslaughter, that is, someone who accidentally killed someone else, and an actual murderer. The difference between the two is based upon intent.
If someone was killed by using a weapon, a weapon made of iron, Numbers 35:16, stone, Numbers 35:17, or wood, Numbers 35:18, then this would be classed as murder and was to be put to death, Numbers 25:16-18. If a murder took place, the avenger could kill the murderer on the spot, Numbers 35:19. This same law applied to those who out of hatred killed another, Numbers 35:20-21.
The murderer was someone who intentionally killed someone else, whereas the manslaughterer was someone who had no such intent, but unintentionally did kill someone. Anyone who killed someone accidentally was dealt with differently.
If without enmity someone suddenly pushes another or throws something at them unintentionally or, without seeing them, drops on them a stone heavy enough to kill them, and they die, then since that other person was not an enemy and no harm was intended, the assembly must judge between the accused and the avenger of blood according to these regulations, Numbers 35:22-24.
Only those who accidentally killed someone were able to flee to the cities of refuge, Numbers 35:25. They could flee to the city of refuge in order to escape the vengeance of a near relative, Numbers 35:25. However, if anyone exercised the privilege of escaping to a refuge city, they had to stay in the city until the high priest died, then they could return home, Joshua 20:5-6 / Numbers 35:25.
If that same person who killed someone accidentally decided to go outside of the city of refuge before the high priest died, then the near relative of the one who was killed could kill them without any guilt, Numbers 35:26-27.
If the high priest died, the one who accidentally killed someone could return to his property, and the near relative had no right to avenge the death of his relative, Numbers 35:28. This is to have the force of law for Israel throughout the generations to come, wherever they live, Numbers 35:29.
Notice that capital punishment could only be carried out when more than one witness could testify to the fact that murder was committed, Numbers 35:30 / Deuteronomy 17:6-7.
No amount of money could be paid to free the one who was guilty of murder, Numbers 35:31 / Exodus 21:30, and neither could any amount of money be paid in order that any who accidentally killed someone could leave a city of refuge before the death of the high priest, Numbers 35:32.
Israel must not pollute the land where they are because bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it, Numbers 35:33. Israel most not defile the land where they live because God’s dwells there among them, Numbers 35:34.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
No wonder God is so particularly strict in his laws against murderers.
1. Because he is the author of life, and none have any right to dispose of it but himself.
2. Because life is the time to prepare for the eternal world, and on it the salvation of the soul accordingly depends, therefore it is of infinite consequence to the man that his life be lengthened out to the utmost limits assigned by Divine Providence. As he who takes a man’s life away before his time may be the murderer of his soul as well as of his body, the severest laws should be enacted against this, both to punish and prevent the crime.
The death penalty was given in order to keep society pure from the sickness of murderers. Once someone murders someone else, then the land is defiled by those who have no value for life. The death penalty, therefore, was God’s way of keeping society clean from moral decay in reference to anyone who had no value for life, Genesis 9:6.
The Bible Hub, says the following.
1. Refuge and Safety.
Just as the Cities of Refuge provided a safe haven for the manslayer, Christ offers refuge to sinners seeking salvation. Hebrews 6:18, speaks of believers who ‘have fled to take hold of the hope set before us,’ drawing a parallel to the act of fleeing to a place of safety. In Christ, believers find protection from the ultimate avenger, the justice of God, which demands retribution for sin.
2. Accessibility.
The cities were strategically located and easily accessible, ensuring that anyone in need could reach them without undue delay. This reflects the availability of Christ to all who seek Him. Romans 10:13, declares, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ The open access to these cities symbolizes the open invitation of the Gospel.
3. Impartiality.
The Cities of Refuge were available to all, regardless of social status or nationality, as stated in Numbers 35:15. ‘These six cities will serve as a refuge for the Israelites, as well as for the foreigner or temporary resident among them.’ This inclusivity prefigures the universal offer of salvation through Christ, who breaks down barriers and extends grace to all humanity, Galatians 3:28.
4. High Priest’s Death.
The manslayer was required to remain in the city until the death of the high priest, at which point they could return home without fear, Numbers 35:25-28. This aspect foreshadows the death of Christ, our High Priest, whose sacrificial death liberates believers from the penalty of sin. Hebrews 9:15 states, ‘For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.’
5. Judgment and Mercy.
The cities balanced justice and mercy, ensuring that the innocent were protected while the guilty were held accountable. This balance is perfectly embodied in Christ, who fulfils the law’s demands while offering mercy through His atoning sacrifice. John 1:17, affirms, ‘For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.’
The Cities of Refuge serve as a multifaceted type of Christ, illustrating His role as a sanctuary for sinners, His accessibility and impartiality, and the profound implications of His sacrificial death.
Through this typology, believers gain a deeper understanding of the comprehensive nature of Christ’s redemptive work and the assurance of safety found in Him. What do you need in your life by way of a place of refuge?