Numbers 35:12

God's Word

These cities will be places of refuge from any relative who can avenge the death. So anyone accused of murder will not have to die until he has had a trial in front of the community.

Cross References

2 Samuel 14:7

Then the entire family turned against me. They said, ‘Give us the man who killed his brother so that we can kill him because he took his brother’s life. We’re going to destroy the one who ⌞now⌟ would be the heir.’ In this way they wish to extinguish the ⌞one⌟ burning coal that is left for me. They will not let my husband’s name or descendants remain on the face of the earth.”

Numbers 35:13

There will be six cities you select as places of refuge,

Numbers 35:19

The relative who can avenge the death must make sure a murderer is put to death. When he catches up with the murderer, he must kill him.

Deuteronomy 19:4

A person who unintentionally kills someone he never hated in the past may run to one of these cities to save his life.

Deuteronomy 19:6

Otherwise, in a rage the relative who has the authority to avenge the death will pursue him. If the place is too far away, the relative may catch up with him and take his life even though he didn’t deserve the death penalty, because in the past he never hated the person he killed.

Joshua 20:2

“Tell the people of Israel, ‘Now choose for yourselves the cities of refuge about which I spoke to you through Moses.

Joshua 20:9

These are the cities chosen as cities of refuge for all Israelites, including the foreigners living among them. Anyone who accidentally kills someone may escape to these cities. Then he will not be handed over to the relative who can avenge a death before he stands trial in front of the congregation.