Bible Dictionary
Cities Of Refuge
The cities of refuge were six Levitical cities where a person who had killed someone unintentionally could flee for protection from the avenger of blood. Three stood west of the Jordan and three east of it.
Definition
The cities of refuge were six Levitical cities appointed as places of protection for a person who had killed someone unintentionally. The manslayer could flee there and remain under protection until the death of the high priest.
Biblical Usage
The cities provided refuge for the involuntary homicide from the avenger of blood. There were three cities on each side of the Jordan.
Historical Background
They were Levitical cities specially selected for this purpose: three west of the Jordan and three east of it.
Scripture References
Numbers 35:6
Numbers 35:13
Numbers 35:15
Joshua 20:2
Joshua 20:7
Joshua 20:9
1 Chronicles 6:76
Joshua 21:21
1 Chronicles 6:67
2 Chronicles 10:1
Joshua 21:13
2 Samuel 5:5
1 Chronicles 6:55
1 Chronicles 29:27
2 Chronicles 11:10
Joshua 20:8
Joshua 21:36
1Macc 5:26
Joshua 21:38
1 Kings 22:3
Joshua 21:27
1 Chronicles 6:71
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
six Levitical cities specially chosen for refuge to the involuntary homicide until released from banishment by the death of the high priest. (Numbers 35:6,13,15; Joshua 20:2,7,9) There were three on each side of Jordan.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>See REFUGE, CITIES OF.</p>