Numbers 35:12

New International Version

They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly.

Cross References

2 Samuel 14:7

Now the whole clan has risen up against your servant; they say, ‘Hand over the one who struck his brother down, so that we may put him to death for the life of his brother whom he killed; then we will get rid of the heir as well.’ They would put out the only burning coal I have left, leaving my husband neither name nor descendant on the face of the earth.”

Numbers 35:13

These six towns you give will be your cities of refuge.

Numbers 35:19

The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death; when the avenger comes upon the murderer, the avenger shall put the murderer to death.

Deuteronomy 19:4

This is the rule concerning anyone who kills a person and flees there for safety—anyone who kills a neighbor unintentionally, without malice aforethought.

Deuteronomy 19:6

Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue him in a rage, overtake him if the distance is too great, and kill him even though he is not deserving of death, since he did it to his neighbor without malice aforethought.

Joshua 20:2

“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,

Joshua 20:9

Any of the Israelites or any foreigner residing among them who killed someone accidentally could flee to these designated cities and not be killed by the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly.