SPECIAL TOPIC: CITIES OF REFUGE

SPECIAL TOPIC: CITIES OF REFUGE

Originally in the OT those who were fleeing from hasty justice (i.e., the Blood Avenger) could grab the horns of the sacrificial altar in the outer temple area for safety (cf. Exod. 21:14; 1 Kgs. 1:50-53; 2:28-31). However, this system was replaced by having six stragetically located Levitical cities within the Promised Land (cf. Joshua 20). Moses had already designated three cities in the trans-Jordan area (cf. Deut. 4:41ff).

There are several discussions in the Pentateuch related to the cities of refuge (cf. Exod. 21: 12-14; Num. 35:10-28; Deut. 4:41-43; 19:1-13). If a person killed a fellow Israelite by accident, he could flee to one of these six cities. There, a trial would be held (cf. Josh. 20:4). If innocent of premeditated murder (see SPECIAL TOPIC: MURDER), he still had to remain in the city until the death of the High Priest. If guilty of murder, he was turned over to the blood avenger of the family he violated for the immediate punishment of death (cf. Josh. 20:9).

SPECIAL TOPIC: BLOOD AVENGER and KINSMAN REDEEMER

SPECIAL TOPIC: ALTAR OF SACRIFICE