Numbers 35 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Numbers 35 meaning explained in AI Summary

Cities of Refuge

Protection for Accidental Manslaughter: God commands the Israelites to designate six cities of refuge, strategically located throughout the land. These cities would provide safe haven for accidental manslayers who could flee there to escape the wrath of the avenger of blood, usually a close relative of the deceased.
Justice and Mercy: Regulations are established to differentiate between accidental and intentional manslaughter. This chapter balances the need for justice with the opportunity for mercy.

Chapter 35 of the Book of Numbers addresses two main topics:

1. Cities of Refuge (verses 1-31):

God commands Moses to designate six Cities of Refuge for the Israelites. These cities are to provide safety for anyone who accidentally kills another person.
The cities are:
- East of the Jordan River: Bezer (Reuben), Ramoth in Gilead (Gad), and Golan in Bashan (Manasseh).
- West of the Jordan River: Kedesh (Naphtali), Shechem (Ephraim), and Hebron (Judah).
The purpose of these cities is to protect the unintentional killer from the avenger of blood (a family member of the deceased who could legally take revenge).
The rules for the Cities of Refuge are laid out:
- The killer must flee to the nearest city.
- The case is brought before the elders of the city for judgment.
- If the killing is deemed unintentional, the killer can remain in the city until the death of the current High Priest.
- Leaving the city before the High Priest's death exposes the killer to the avenger of blood.
The law emphasizes the sanctity of life and provides a system of justice that distinguishes between intentional murder and accidental killing.

2. Inheritance for the Levites (verses 32-34):

God reminds Moses that the Levites, who serve in the tabernacle, will not receive a land inheritance like the other tribes.
Instead, they will receive the 48 cities previously designated for them, including the six Cities of Refuge.
This arrangement ensures the Levites' livelihood and their presence throughout the land, facilitating their religious duties.

Overall, Chapter 35 highlights God's concern for justice, mercy, and the special role of the Levites in Israel. It establishes a system that balances the need for accountability with compassion for unintentional acts.

Numbers 35 bible study ai commentary

Numbers 35 establishes God's provision for both the landless Levites and those who accidentally take a human life. The chapter provides the tribes with the command to set aside 48 cities for the Levites, six of which would double as "cities of refuge." This section introduces a sophisticated legal system that distinguishes between intentional murder and unintentional manslaughter, a major advancement in ancient jurisprudence. It details the role of the "avenger of blood," the trial process, and the unique condition for the release of the manslayer: the death of the serving High Priest. The underlying themes are divine justice, mercy, the sanctity of life, and the need for atonement to prevent the land itself from becoming polluted by innocent blood, all of which point powerfully to the future work of Jesus Christ.

Numbers 35 context

These laws are given to Israel on the plains of Moab, as the people are poised to enter and possess the Promised Land. The commands are practical and forward-looking, anticipating a settled, agricultural society where property is divided among the tribes. Culturally, this legal framework stood in stark contrast to the common Ancient Near Eastern practice of escalating blood feuds, where a death, even accidental, could trigger generations of retaliatory violence. The establishment of cities of refuge, a formal trial by the "congregation," and the distinction based on intent introduced a system of controlled, restorative justice that prioritized both truth and mercy over tribal vengeance. The central role of the priesthood and the concept of blood polluting the land reinforce the theocratic nature of Israel: law, land, and worship are inextricably linked.

Numbers 35:1-8

On the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the people of Israel to give to the Levites some of the inheritance of their possession as cities to dwell in. And you shall give to the Levites pasturelands around the cities... The cities that you give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, where you shall permit the manslayer to flee, and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities... and you shall take from the tribes of Israel, from the larger more and from the smaller less...”

In-depth-analysis

Provision for the Landless: The Levites, as the priestly tribe, were given no territorial inheritance (Num 18:20). Their inheritance was the LORD himself. These 48 cities scattered throughout Israel were a practical provision for their livelihood.
Scattered for a Purpose: Jacob's prophetic "curse" in Gen 49:7 ("I will... scatter them in Israel") is here turned into a blessing. The Levites' distribution ensured that every tribe had direct access to spiritual leaders and teachers of God's Law (Deut 33:10).
Migrash (Pastureland): This specific term refers to the common land surrounding the city. Its dimensions are specified, providing the Levites with space for their livestock and ensuring their economic sustenance.
Proportionality and Fairness: The command "from the larger more and from the smaller less" establishes a principle of equity. The burden of providing these cities was distributed fairly according to each tribe's capacity.
Dual-Purpose Cities: The six cities of refuge are established first and foremost as Levitical cities. The priests, guardians of the Law, were the natural administrators of this system of justice and mercy.

Bible references

Josh 21:3: 'So the people of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, at the command of the LORD, these cities and their pasturelands.' (The direct fulfillment of this command).
Deut 18:1-2: 'The Levitical priests... shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel... The LORD is their inheritance, as he promised them.' (The theological basis for their landlessness).
Gen 49:7: '...I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.' (The patriarchal prophecy now fulfilled as a blessing of influence).

Cross references

Ezek 48:13-14 (idealized future Levitical portion); Neh 13:10 (consequences when the Levites are not provided for); 1 Chron 6:54-81 (detailed list of the Levitical cities).

Numbers 35:9-15

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there... The cities shall be for you a refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he has stood before the congregation for judgment... You shall give three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities in the land of Canaan... These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them...”

In-depth-analysis

‘Ārê Mîqlāṭ (Cities of Refuge): From qālat, meaning "to take in" or "receive." These cities provided asylum or reception for a specific type of person.
Bishgagah (Without Intent): This is the key legal term, meaning "by mistake," "unintentionally," or "inadvertently." The entire system of refuge hinges on this lack of premeditation.
Go’el Haddam (Avenger of Blood): The go'el is a kinsman with the legal right and duty to "redeem" or "avenge." In cases of murder, his duty was to execute justice on behalf of the family and community. The cities of refuge protected the accused from him until a trial could determine guilt or innocence.
Geographical Accessibility: The provision of three cities on each side of the Jordan ensured that no one was ever too far from a place of safety. The journey had to be possible before the avenger could catch up.
Universal Justice: The cities were for the "people of Israel, and for the stranger (ger) and for the sojourner (toshav)." This demonstrates that God's justice and mercy were not limited by ethnicity, a radical concept for its time.

Bible references

Deut 19:2-3: 'you shall set apart three cities for yourselves... you shall prepare the roads for them, that every manslayer may flee there.' (Moses reiterates and expands on the command).
Josh 20:7-8: 'So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee... Shechem... and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron)... and beyond the Jordan... Bezer... Ramoth in Gilead, and Golan in Bashan.' (The six cities are named and designated).
Heb 6:18: '...we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.' (The author of Hebrews uses the imagery of fleeing to a refuge to describe our salvation in Christ).

Cross references

Exod 21:13 (earlier law giving principle of asylum); Deut 4:41-43 (Moses sets apart the three Transjordanian cities).

Numbers 35:16-21

“But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. And if he struck him down with a stone in the hand, by which a man may die... he is a murderer... Or if he struck him down with a a wooden object... he is a murderer... And if he pushed him out of hatred or hurled something at him, lying in wait... or in enmity struck him down with his hand... the avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.”

In-depth-analysis

Defining Premeditation (Ratsach): This section defines murder. The focus is on clear evidence of intent.
Means: The use of an "instrument of iron," a lethal-sized stone, or a wooden weapon implies the killer armed himself. This demonstrates forethought.
Motive: The explicit mention of "hatred" (sin’ah), "lying in wait" (ṣᵉḏîyāh), and "enmity" (’eyvah) removes all doubt about the killer's malicious state of mind.
Justice for Murder: For a proven murderer, there is no refuge and no ransom. The penalty is absolute and non-negotiable: death. The go'el haddam acts as the state's executioner. This upholds the supreme value of human life created in God's image (Gen 9:6).

Bible references

Gen 9:6: 'Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.' (The foundational principle for capital punishment).
Exod 21:12, 14: 'Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death... But if a man acts presumptuously against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.' (Even the holy altar could not give refuge to a murderer).
1 John 3:15: 'Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.' (The New Testament internalizes the principle, linking the motive of hate to the act of murder).

Cross references

Deut 19:11-13 (parallel law on murder); Deut 27:24 (curse on one who kills his neighbor secretly).

Numbers 35:22-28

“But if he pushed him suddenly without enmity, or hurled anything on him without lying in wait, or used a stone, by which a man could die, and without seeing him dropped it on him... then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood... And the congregation shall rescue the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood... and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. But if the manslayer shall at any time go beyond the limits of his city of refuge... and the avenger of blood finds him... and kills the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of blood.”

In-depth-analysis

Defining Manslaughter: This section contrasts directly with the previous one. The key qualifiers are "suddenly" (petha), "without enmity," and "without seeing him." It describes a tragic accident, not a malicious act.
The Congregation as Jury: The ‘ēḏāh (congregation, assembly) acts as a court. This is a communal, public trial, not a private vendetta. Their dual role is crucial: to judge the facts and, if innocent of murder, to rescue the slayer from the avenger.
Sanctuary and Exile: The city of refuge is simultaneously a place of protection and a form of exile. The manslayer is safe, but he has lost his freedom and inheritance until the appointed time. His confinement signifies the gravity of taking any human life, even accidentally.
Atonement by the High Priest's Death: This is the most profound theological element. The manslayer's release is not tied to time served, but to the death of the current High Priest. This death, in a mysterious way, accomplishes an atonement or reset that resolves the bloodguilt associated with the accidental death. This provides a powerful type of Christ.

Bible references

Josh 20:6: 'And he shall live in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the one who is high priest in those days.' (Reiteration of the high priest release clause).
Heb 9:11-12: 'But when Christ appeared as a high priest... he entered once for all into the holy places... thus securing an eternal redemption.' (Christ, our High Priest, secures a permanent, eternal release from sin and death through His own death).
Heb 7:23-24: 'The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.' (The death of the temporary high priest brought temporary release; the permanent High Priest brings eternal release).

Cross references

Deut 19:4-10 (details on what constitutes an accident, e.g., an axe head flying off).

Numbers 35:29-34

“And these things shall be for a statute and rule for you throughout your generations... If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses. But no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness. Moreover, you shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer... you shall accept no ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to dwell in the land before the death of the high priest. You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it. You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the people of Israel.”

In-depth-analysis

Two-Witness Rule: A cornerstone of Israelite justice, protecting against false accusations and malicious convictions. A person's life could not be taken on a single person's testimony.
No Ransom (Kōpher): This law explicitly forbids commuting a sentence through payment. Murder is an offense against God, not just a financial loss to a family. Life is infinitely valuable and cannot be ransomed with money. The same applies to the manslayer leaving early—the sentence of exile is absolute.
Blood Pollutes the Land: Unavenged murder defiles the physical land itself. The Hebrew word is chaneph, meaning to profane or pollute. This connects the moral state of the people to the "health" of the Promised Land.
Atonement for the Land: The land can only be cleansed by the blood of the one who shed the innocent blood. This shows that justice is not just retributive but also restorative for the community and the land itself.
The Lord's Presence: The ultimate reason for these laws is that God dwells in the midst of His people. His holy presence requires a morally and judicially clean environment. Injustice and unatoned blood are incompatible with a holy God dwelling there.

Bible references

Deut 17:6: 'On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.' (The principle stated clearly).
Gen 4:10: 'And the LORD said, “...The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.”' (Bloodguilt cries out from the earth itself, demanding justice).
Matt 27:24-25: 'So when Pilate saw... he took water and washed his hands... saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood...” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”' (A terrifying inversion of the principle of atonement).

Cross references

Deut 21:1-9 (ceremony for atoning for an unsolved murder); 2 Sam 21:1 (famine because of Saul's unatoned bloodguilt); 2 Cor 13:1; 1 Tim 5:19 (NT affirmation of the two-witness rule).

Numbers chapter 35 analysis

Typology of Christ: The chapter is rich with typology.
- City of Refuge: A clear picture of Christ, to whom sinners flee for refuge from the condemnation of the Law (Heb 6:18, Rom 8:1). Accessibility (cities on both sides of the Jordan) points to Christ being available to all (John 6:37).
- High Priest: The death of the high priest provided release. This powerfully foreshadows how the death of our great High Priest, Jesus Christ, secures our eternal release from the exile of sin and the penalty of death (Heb 9:11-15).
- The Avenger and the Redeemer: The Hebrew word Go'el means both Avenger and Redeemer. God is the ultimate Avenger of sin, but He is also our Redeemer. Jesus Christ, our Kinsman Redeemer, satisfies the just demands of the Avenger by taking the punishment upon Himself on the cross.
Justice and Mercy: The chapter presents a perfect balance. For the murderer, there is unswerving justice. For the accidental manslayer, there is profound mercy and a path to restoration. God is not one-dimensional; His justice and mercy do not contradict but flow from His holy character.
The Sanctity of Life: By forbidding ransom for a murderer, the law establishes that human life, made in God's image, has a value that cannot be quantified by money. Life is sacred, and taking it demands the ultimate penalty to re-balance the scales of justice and cleanse the community.
Polemic against Paganism: In contrast to other Ancient Near Eastern cultures where justice was often a financial transaction or a cycle of personal vengeance, this system establishes an objective, public process based on motive and evidence, administered by God's representatives (Levites) in a place of divine sanctuary. It elevates law above personal feelings or social status.

Numbers 35 summary

Numbers 35 gives divine instructions for setting aside 48 cities for the Levites from the tribes' inheritances, with six of these serving as cities of refuge. It establishes a landmark legal framework distinguishing intentional murder from accidental manslaughter, providing a haven for the latter from the "avenger of blood" until a public trial. Release from this sanctuary-exile was uniquely tied to the death of the High Priest. The chapter powerfully underscores the principles of justice, mercy, the sanctity of life, and the need for blood atonement to cleanse the land where God dwells, all while pointing typologically to Christ as the ultimate refuge and atoning High Priest.

Numbers 34 AI Numbers 36 AI

Numbers 35 AI Image Audio and Video

Numbers chapter 35 kjv

¹ And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
² Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.
³ And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.
⁴ And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.
⁵ And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
⁶ And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.
⁷ So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs.
⁸ And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.
⁹ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
¹⁰ Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;
¹¹ Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.
¹² And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
¹³ And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge.
¹⁴ Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
¹⁵ These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.
¹⁶ And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
¹⁷ And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
¹⁸ Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
¹⁹ The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
²⁰ But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
²¹ Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
²² But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,
²³ Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:
²⁴ Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:
²⁵ And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
²⁶ But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;
²⁷ And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:
²⁸ Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
²⁹ So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
³⁰ Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
³¹ Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.
³² And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.
³³ So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
³⁴ Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.

Numbers chapter 35 nkjv

¹ And the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, saying:
² "Command the children of Israel that they give the Levites cities to dwell in from the inheritance of their possession, and you shall also give the Levites common-land around the cities.
³ They shall have the cities to dwell in; and their common-land shall be for their cattle, for their herds, and for all their animals.
⁴ The common-land of the cities which you will give the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits all around.
⁵ And you shall measure outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, on the south side two thousand cubits, on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits. The city shall be in the middle. This shall belong to them as common-land for the cities.
⁶ "Now among the cities which you will give to the Levites you shall appoint six cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. And to these you shall add forty-two cities.
⁷ So all the cities you will give to the Levites shall be forty-eight; these you shall give with their common-land.
⁸ And the cities which you will give shall be from the possession of the children of Israel; from the larger tribe you shall give many, from the smaller you shall give few. Each shall give some of its cities to the Levites, in proportion to the inheritance that each receives."
⁹ Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
¹⁰ "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
¹¹ then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there.
¹² They shall be cities of refuge for you from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation in judgment.
¹³ And of the cities which you give, you shall have six cities of refuge.
¹⁴ You shall appoint three cities on this side of the Jordan, and three cities you shall appoint in the land of Canaan, which will be cities of refuge.
¹⁵ These six cities shall be for refuge for the children of Israel, for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills a person accidentally may flee there.
¹⁶ 'But if he strikes him with an iron implement, so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.
¹⁷ And if he strikes him with a stone in the hand, by which one could die, and he does die, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.
¹⁸ Or if he strikes him with a wooden hand weapon, by which one could die, and he does die, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.
¹⁹ The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death.
²⁰ If he pushes him out of hatred or, while lying in wait, hurls something at him so that he dies,
²¹ or in enmity he strikes him with his hand so that he dies, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.
²² 'However, if he pushes him suddenly without enmity, or throws anything at him without lying in wait,
²³ or uses a stone, by which a man could die, throwing it at him without seeing him, so that he dies, while he was not his enemy or seeking his harm,
²⁴ then the congregation shall judge between the manslayer and the avenger of blood according to these judgments.
²⁵ So the congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall return him to the city of refuge where he had fled, and he shall remain there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.
²⁶ But if the manslayer at any time goes outside the limits of the city of refuge where he fled,
²⁷ and the avenger of blood finds him outside the limits of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood kills the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of blood,
²⁸ because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession.
²⁹ 'And these things shall be a statute of judgment to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
³⁰ Whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness is not sufficient testimony against a person for the death penalty.
³¹ Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death.
³² And you shall take no ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to dwell in the land before the death of the priest.
³³ So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it.
³⁴ Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.' "

Numbers chapter 35 niv

¹ On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, the LORD said to Moses,
² "Command the Israelites to give the Levites towns to live in from the inheritance the Israelites will possess. And give them pasturelands around the towns.
³ Then they will have towns to live in and pasturelands for the cattle they own and all their other animals.
⁴ "The pasturelands around the towns that you give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits from the town wall.
⁵ Outside the town, measure two thousand cubits on the east side, two thousand on the south side, two thousand on the west and two thousand on the north, with the town in the center. They will have this area as pastureland for the towns.
⁶ "Six of the towns you give the Levites will be cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone may flee. In addition, give them forty-two other towns.
⁷ In all you must give the Levites forty-eight towns, together with their pasturelands.
⁸ The towns you give the Levites from the land the Israelites possess are to be given in proportion to the inheritance of each tribe: Take many towns from a tribe that has many, but few from one that has few."
⁹ Then the LORD said to Moses:
¹⁰ "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you cross the Jordan into Canaan,
¹¹ select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee.
¹² 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.
¹³ These six towns you give will be your cities of refuge.
¹⁴ Give three on this side of the Jordan and three in Canaan as cities of refuge.
¹⁵ These six towns 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.
¹⁶ "?'If anyone strikes someone a fatal blow with an iron object, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death.
¹⁷ Or if anyone is holding a stone and strikes someone a fatal blow with it, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death.
¹⁸ Or if anyone is holding a wooden object and strikes someone a fatal blow with it, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death.
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.
²⁰ If anyone with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at them intentionally so that they die
²¹ or if out of enmity one person hits another with their fist so that the other dies, that person is to be put to death; that person is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when they meet.
²² "?'But if without enmity someone suddenly pushes another or throws something at them unintentionally
²³ 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,
²⁴ the assembly must judge between the accused and the avenger of blood according to these regulations.
²⁵ The assembly must protect the one accused of murder from the avenger of blood and send the accused back to the city of refuge to which they fled. The accused must stay there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.
²⁶ "?'But if the accused ever goes outside the limits of the city of refuge to which they fled
²⁷ and the avenger of blood finds them outside the city, the avenger of blood may kill the accused without being guilty of murder.
²⁸ The accused must stay in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest; only after the death of the high priest may they return to their own property.
²⁹ "?'This is to have the force of law for you throughout the generations to come, wherever you live.
³⁰ "?'Anyone who kills a person is to be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
³¹ "?'Do not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer, who deserves to die. They are to be put to death.
³² "?'Do not accept a ransom for anyone who has fled to a city of refuge and so allow them to go back and live on their own land before the death of the high priest.
³³ "?'Do not pollute the land where you are. 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.
³⁴ Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.'?"

Numbers chapter 35 esv

¹ The LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying,
² "Command the people of Israel to give to the Levites some of the inheritance of their possession as cities for them to dwell in. And you shall give to the Levites pasturelands around the cities.
³ The cities shall be theirs to dwell in, and their pasturelands shall be for their cattle and for their livestock and for all their beasts.
⁴ The pasturelands of the cities, which you shall give to the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits all around.
⁵ And you shall measure, outside the city, on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits, the city being in the middle. This shall belong to them as pastureland for their cities.
⁶ "The cities that you give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, where you shall permit the manslayer to flee, and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.
⁷ All the cities that you give to the Levites shall be forty-eight, with their pasturelands.
⁸ And as for the cities that you shall give from the possession of the people of Israel, from the larger tribes you shall take many, and from the smaller tribes you shall take few; each, in proportion to the inheritance that it inherits, shall give of its cities to the Levites."
⁹ And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
¹⁰ "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
¹¹ then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there.
¹² The cities shall be for you a refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation for judgment.
¹³ And the cities that you give shall be your six cities of refuge.
¹⁴ You shall give three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities in the land of Canaan, to be cities of refuge.
¹⁵ These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills any person without intent may flee there.
¹⁶ "But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death.
¹⁷ And if he struck him down with a stone tool that could cause death, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death.
¹⁸ Or if he struck him down with a wooden tool that could cause death, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death.
¹⁹ The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death.
²⁰ And if he pushed him out of hatred or hurled something at him, lying in wait, so that he died,
²¹ or in enmity struck him down with his hand, so that he died, then he who struck the blow shall be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.
²² "But if he pushed him suddenly without enmity, or hurled anything on him without lying in wait
²³ or used a stone that could cause death, and without seeing him dropped it on him, so that he died, though he was not his enemy and did not seek his harm,
²⁴ then the congregation shall judge between the manslayer and the avenger of blood, in accordance with these rules.
²⁵ And the congregation shall rescue the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge to which he had fled, and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.
²⁶ But if the manslayer shall at any time go beyond the boundaries of his city of refuge to which he fled,
²⁷ and the avenger of blood finds him outside the boundaries of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood kills the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of blood.
²⁸ For he must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest, but after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession.
²⁹ And these things shall be for a statute and rule for you throughout your generations in all your dwelling places.
³⁰ "If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses. But no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.
³¹ Moreover, you shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer, who is guilty of death, but he shall be put to death.
³² And you shall accept no ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to dwell in the land before the death of the high priest.
³³ You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it.
³⁴ You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the people of Israel."

Numbers chapter 35 nlt

¹ While Israel was camped beside the Jordan on the plains of Moab across from Jericho, the LORD said to Moses,
² "Command the people of Israel to give to the Levites from their property certain towns to live in, along with the surrounding pasturelands.
³ These towns will be for the Levites to live in, and the surrounding lands will provide pasture for their cattle, flocks, and other livestock.
⁴ The pastureland assigned to the Levites around these towns will extend 1,500 feet from the town walls in every direction.
⁵ Measure off 3,000 feet outside the town walls in every direction ? east, south, west, north ? with the town at the center. This area will serve as the larger pastureland for the towns.
⁶ "Six of the towns you give the Levites will be cities of refuge, where a person who has accidentally killed someone can flee for safety. In addition, give them forty-two other towns.
⁷ In all, forty-eight towns with the surrounding pastureland will be given to the Levites.
⁸ These towns will come from the property of the people of Israel. The larger tribes will give more towns to the Levites, while the smaller tribes will give fewer. Each tribe will give property in proportion to the size of its land."
⁹ The LORD said to Moses,
¹⁰ "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. "When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
¹¹ designate cities of refuge to which people can flee if they have killed someone accidentally.
¹² These cities will be places of protection from a dead person's relatives who want to avenge the death. The slayer must not be put to death before being tried by the community.
¹³ Designate six cities of refuge for yourselves,
¹⁴ three on the east side of the Jordan River and three on the west in the land of Canaan.
¹⁵ These cities are for the protection of Israelites, foreigners living among you, and traveling merchants. Anyone who accidentally kills someone may flee there for safety.
¹⁶ "But if someone strikes and kills another person with a piece of iron, it is murder, and the murderer must be executed.
¹⁷ Or if someone with a stone in his hand strikes and kills another person, it is murder, and the murderer must be put to death.
¹⁸ Or if someone strikes and kills another person with a wooden object, it is murder, and the murderer must be put to death.
¹⁹ The victim's nearest relative is responsible for putting the murderer to death. When they meet, the avenger must put the murderer to death.
²⁰ So if someone hates another person and waits in ambush, then pushes him or throws something at him and he dies, it is murder.
²¹ Or if someone hates another person and hits him with a fist and he dies, it is murder. In such cases, the avenger must put the murderer to death when they meet.
²² "But suppose someone pushes another person without having shown previous hostility, or throws something that unintentionally hits another person,
²³ or accidentally drops a huge stone on someone, though they were not enemies, and the person dies.
²⁴ If this should happen, the community must follow these regulations in making a judgment between the slayer and the avenger, the victim's nearest relative:
²⁵ The community must protect the slayer from the avenger and must escort the slayer back to live in the city of refuge to which he fled. There he must remain until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the sacred oil.
²⁶ "But if the slayer ever leaves the limits of the city of refuge,
²⁷ and the avenger finds him outside the city and kills him, it will not be considered murder.
²⁸ The slayer should have stayed inside the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest, the slayer may return to his own property.
²⁹ These are legal requirements for you to observe from generation to generation, wherever you may live.
³⁰ "All murderers must be put to death, but only if evidence is presented by more than one witness. No one may be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
³¹ Also, you must never accept a ransom payment for the life of someone judged guilty of murder and subject to execution; murderers must always be put to death.
³² And never accept a ransom payment from someone who has fled to a city of refuge, allowing a slayer to return to his property before the death of the high priest.
³³ This will ensure that the land where you live will not be polluted, for murder pollutes the land. And no sacrifice except the execution of the murderer can purify the land from murder.
³⁴ You must not defile the land where you live, for I live there myself. I am the LORD, who lives among the people of Israel."