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In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/35-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/04_Num_35_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 35:6 - Six Cities of Refuge" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/35-6.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/35-6.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/35.htm">Chapter 35</a> > Verse 6</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/35-5.htm" title="Numbers 35:5">◄</a> Numbers 35:6 <a href="/numbers/35-7.htm" title="Numbers 35:7">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/35.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/35.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Six 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/35.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/35.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/35.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/35.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites <i>there shall be</i> 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/35.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Now among the cities which you will give to the Levites <i>you shall appoint</i> six cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. And to these you shall add forty-two cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/35.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The cities which you shall give to the Levites <i>shall be</i> the six cities of refuge, which you shall provide for the one who commits manslaughter to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/35.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220The cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/35.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And the cities which you shall give to the Levites <i>shall be</i> the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/35.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the cities which you shall give to the Levites <i>shall be</i> the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/35.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />[Among] the cities which you give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall provide for the one who commits manslaughter to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities [to the Levites].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/35.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“The cities you give the Levites will include six cities of refuge, which you will provide so that the one who kills someone may flee there; in addition to these, give forty-two other cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/35.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The cities you give the Levites will include six cities of refuge, which you must provide so that the one who kills someone may flee there; in addition to these, give 42 other cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/35.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which ye shall give for the manslayer to flee unto: and besides them ye shall give forty and two cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/35.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Six of the towns you give them will be Safe Towns where a person who has accidentally killed someone can run for protection. But you will also give the Levites 42 other towns, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/35.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which ye shall give for the manslayer to flee thither: and beside them ye shall give forty and two cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/35.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Six of the cities you give the Levites will be cities of refuge. You must allow murderers to escape to these cities. In addition, you must also give the Levites 42 other cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/35.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You are to give the Levites six cities of refuge to which any of you can escape if you kill someone accidentally. In addition, give them forty-two other cities <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/35.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You are to set aside six towns of refuge from the towns that you will be giving to the descendants of Levi, where someone who kills a human being may run for shelter. In addition, give them 42 other towns. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/35.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/35.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now from these towns that you will give to the Levites you must select six towns of refuge to which a person who has killed someone may flee. And you must give them forty-two other towns. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/35.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"The cities which you shall give to the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to: and besides them you shall give forty-two cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/35.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And among the cities which ye shall give to the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the man-slayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/35.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“The cities which you shall give to the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the man slayer to flee to. Besides them you shall give forty-two cities. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/35.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the cities which you give to the Levites [are] the six cities of refuge, which you give for the fleeing there of the manslayer, and besides them you give forty-two cities;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/35.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the cities which ye give to the Levites are the six cities of refuge, which ye give for the fleeing thither of the man-slayer, and besides them ye give forty and two cities;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/35.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the cities which ye shall give to the Levites, six cities of refuge, which ye shall give to flee there to the slayer: and upon them ye shall give forty and two.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/35.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And among the cities, which you shall give to the Levites, six shall be separated for refuge to fugitives, that he who hath shed blood may flee to them: and besides these there shall be other forty-two cities, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/35.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now, from the towns which you shall give to the Levites, six shall be separated for the assistance of fugitives, so that he who has shed blood may flee to them. And, aside from these, there shall be forty-two other towns,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/35.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now these are the cities you will give to the Levites: the six cities of asylum which you must establish for the homicide to run to, and in addition forty-two other cities—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/35.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The towns that you give to the Levites shall include the six cities of refuge, where you shall permit a slayer to flee, and in addition to them you shall give forty-two towns.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/35.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And among the cities which you shall give to the Levites, six cities shall be set aside for you for refuge, that the manslayer who had slain his neighbor without intent may flee thither; and to them you shall add forty-two other cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/35.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And cities that you are giving to the Levites, let six cities be a place of refuge for you, so that a killer who kills his neighbor without his intention may flee there, and add forty and two cities unto them.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/35.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which ye shall give for the manslayer to flee thither; and beside them ye shall give forty and two cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/35.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And ye shall give the cities to the Levites, the six cities of refuge which ye shall give for the slayer to flee thither, and in addition to these, forty-two cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/35-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=10759" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/35.htm">Six Cities of Refuge</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’êṯ (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8337.htm" title="8337: šêš- (Number-fsc) -- Masculine shishshah; a primitive number; six (see suws) beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. Sixth.">Six</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: he·‘ā·rîm (Art:: N-fp) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">of the cities</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tit·tə·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">you give</a> <a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: lal·wî·yim (Prep-l:: N-proper-mp) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">the Levites</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tit·tə·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">are to be appointed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘ā·rê (N-fpc) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">as cities</a> <a href="/hebrew/4733.htm" title="4733: ham·miq·lāṭ (Art:: N-ms) -- Refuge, asylum. From qalat in the sense of taking in; an asylum.">of refuge,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7523.htm" title="7523: hā·rō·ṣê·aḥ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To murder, slay. A primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. Kill, especially to murder.">to which a manslayer</a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: lā·nus (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">may flee.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām·māh (Adv:: 3fs) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: wa·‘ă·lê·hem (Conj-w:: Prep:: 3mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">In addition to these,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tit·tə·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">give the Levites</a> <a href="/hebrew/705.htm" title="705: ’ar·bā·‘îm (Number-cp) -- Forty. Multiple of arba'; forty.">forty-two</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: ū·šə·ta·yim (Conj-w:: Number-fd) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘îr (N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">other cities.</a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>The total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, with their corresponding pasturelands.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/20-1.htm">Joshua 20:1-9</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Joshua, / “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, / so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-1.htm">Deuteronomy 19:1-13</a></span><br />When the LORD your God has cut off the nations whose land He is giving you, and when you have driven them out and settled in their cities and houses, / then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess. / You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12-14</a></span><br />Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. / If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. / But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/6-18.htm">Hebrews 6:18</a></span><br />Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-58.htm">Acts 7:58-60</a></span><br />They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. / While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” / Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-28.htm">1 Kings 2:28-34</a></span><br />When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-32.htm">Leviticus 25:32-34</a></span><br />As for the cities of the Levites, the Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the cities they possess. / So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed—a house sold in a city they possess—and must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the Israelites. / But the open pastureland around their cities may not be sold, for this is their permanent possession.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/14-14.htm">2 Samuel 14:14</a></span><br />For we will surely die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life, but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/46-1.htm">Psalm 46:1</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/4-6.htm">Isaiah 4:6</a></span><br />a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and the rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a></span><br />Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15</a></span><br />Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a></span><br />Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/45-1.htm">Ezekiel 45:1-6</a></span><br />“When you divide the land by lot as an inheritance, you are to set aside a portion for the LORD, a holy portion of the land 25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits wide. This entire tract of land will be holy. / Within this area there is to be a section for the sanctuary 500 cubits square, with 50 cubits around it for open land. / From this holy portion, you are to measure off a length of 25,000 cubits and a width of 10,000 cubits, and in it will be the sanctuary, the Most Holy Place. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And among the cities which you shall give to the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which you shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them you shall add forty and two cities.</p><p class="hdg">six cities for refuge</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/35-13.htm">Numbers 35:13,14</a></b></br> And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-41.htm">Deuteronomy 4:41-43</a></b></br> Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sunrising; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/20-2.htm">Joshua 20:2-9</a></b></br> Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: … </p><p class="hdg">to them ye shall add.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/32-14.htm">Add</a> <a href="/numbers/31-32.htm">Addition</a> <a href="/numbers/34-18.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/numbers/31-8.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/numbers/31-19.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/numbers/35-4.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/joshua/21-38.htm">Manslayer</a> <a href="/joshua/21-38.htm">Man-Slayer</a> <a href="/exodus/22-18.htm">Permit</a> <a href="/numbers/33-52.htm">Places</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-18.htm">Refuge</a> <a href="/numbers/32-24.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/numbers/31-44.htm">Six</a> <a href="/numbers/19-16.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/1_john/3-15.htm">Taker</a> <a href="/exodus/26-33.htm">Thither</a> <a href="/numbers/35-4.htm">Towns</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/3-26.htm">Add</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-37.htm">Addition</a> <a href="/numbers/35-11.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-5.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/numbers/35-11.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/numbers/35-7.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/numbers/35-11.htm">Manslayer</a> <a href="/numbers/35-12.htm">Man-Slayer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-7.htm">Permit</a> <a href="/numbers/35-11.htm">Places</a> <a href="/numbers/35-11.htm">Refuge</a> <a href="/numbers/35-11.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/numbers/35-13.htm">Six</a> <a href="/numbers/35-11.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/numbers/35-12.htm">Taker</a> <a href="/numbers/35-11.htm">Thither</a> <a href="/numbers/35-7.htm">Towns</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 35</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-1.htm">Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Six of them are to be cities of refuge</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-9.htm">The laws of murder and manslaughter</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-31.htm">No satisfaction for murder</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/35.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/35.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Six of the cities you give the Levites</b><br>The Levites, the priestly tribe of Israel, were not given a specific territory like the other tribes. Instead, they were allocated cities within the territories of the other tribes. This ensured their presence and influence throughout Israel, facilitating their religious and educational duties. The number six is significant in biblical numerology, often representing imperfection or incompleteness, which contrasts with the divine perfection symbolized by the number seven.<p><b>are to be appointed as cities of refuge,</b><br>Cities of refuge were established as part of the Mosaic Law to provide sanctuary for individuals who committed unintentional manslaughter. This legal provision underscored the value of human life and the importance of justice tempered with mercy. The concept of refuge is a recurring theme in Scripture, symbolizing God's protection and grace.<p><b>to which a manslayer may flee.</b><br>The term "manslayer" refers specifically to someone who has killed another unintentionally, distinguishing them from a murderer who acts with malice aforethought. The cities of refuge offered protection from the avenger of blood, a family member seeking retribution. This provision reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of blood vengeance, which was common in tribal societies. Theologically, it points to the need for a mediator and a place of safety, prefiguring Christ as our refuge.<p><b>In addition to these,</b><br>This phrase indicates that the cities of refuge were part of a larger allocation of cities to the Levites. It emphasizes the dual role of these cities as both places of refuge and centers of Levitical ministry.<p><b>give the Levites forty-two other cities.</b><br>The total number of Levitical cities was forty-eight, including the six cities of refuge. This distribution ensured that the Levites were integrated throughout the land, maintaining their role as spiritual leaders and teachers. The number forty-two, while not as symbolically significant as some other biblical numbers, contributes to the overall structure and organization of the Israelite community. The presence of the Levites in these cities facilitated the teaching of the Law and the maintenance of worship practices, serving as a constant reminder of Israel's covenant relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/l/levites.htm">Levites</a></b><br>The tribe of Levi, set apart for religious duties and service to God. They were not given a specific territory like other tribes but were distributed among the tribes of Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/cities_of_refuge.htm">Cities of Refuge</a></b><br>Designated cities where individuals who committed unintentional manslaughter could seek asylum to avoid revenge from the victim's family until a fair trial could be conducted.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/manslayer.htm">Manslayer</a></b><br>A person who has killed another unintentionally, distinct from a murderer who kills with intent.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of Israel, to whom the laws and instructions regarding the cities of refuge were given.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, where these cities were to be established.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_for_justice_and_mercy.htm">God's Provision for Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>The cities of refuge illustrate God's balance of justice and mercy, providing a way to protect the innocent while ensuring justice is served.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_levites.htm">The Role of the Levites</a></b><br>The Levites' role in maintaining these cities underscores their responsibility in upholding God's law and serving the community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_refuge_in_christ.htm">Spiritual Refuge in Christ</a></b><br>Just as the cities of refuge provided safety, Christ is our ultimate refuge, offering protection and salvation from the consequences of sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The establishment of these cities highlights the community's role in ensuring justice and protection for all its members.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intentionality_in_god's_law.htm">Intentionality in God's Law</a></b><br>The specific instructions for the cities of refuge demonstrate God's intentionality and care in His laws, ensuring they are just and compassionate.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_35.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 35</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/purpose_of_biblical_cities_of_refuge.htm">What were the biblical Cities of Refuge for?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who's_the_avenger_of_blood.htm">Who is the Avenger of Blood in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_all_tribes_give_cities_to_levites_peacefully.htm">How plausible is it that every tribe simultaneously relinquished these cities to the Levites (Joshua 21:8–16) without recorded opposition? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_the_avenger_system_fair_in_ancient_times.htm">How plausible is it that the avenger of blood system (Numbers 35:19) was enforced fairly in the context of ancient Near Eastern tribal justice? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/35.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6, 7, 8) <span class= "bld">And among the cities which ye shall give . . . --</span>The construction of this verse is involved; or, rather, there is a suspension of the subject in <a href="/numbers/35-6.htm" title="And among the cities which you shall give to the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which you shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them you shall add forty and two cities.">Numbers 35:6</a>, and a resumption of it in <a href="/context/numbers/35-7.htm" title="So all the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall you give with their suburbs.">Numbers 35:7-8</a>. The verses may be rendered thus: <span class= "ital">And as to the cities which ye shall give to the Levites, viz., the six cities of refuge which ye shall give that the manslayer may flee thither </span>(<span class= "ital">and in addition to these ye shall give forty and two cities</span>)<span class= "ital">; as to all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites, viz., forty and eight cities, them and their suburbs; now as to the cities which ye shall give from the possession of the children of Israel; from the many ye shall take many, and from the few ye shall take few </span>. . . It had already been announced in general terms that a place should be appointed whither any one should flee who had unintentionally smitten a man so that he died, and had not lain in wait with a view to commit murder (<a href="/context/exodus/21-12.htm" title="He that smites a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.">Exodus 21:12-13</a>). In the verses which follow, the law is delivered at length, and is repeated and further expanded in <a href="/context/deuteronomy/19-1.htm" title="When the LORD your God has cut off the nations, whose land the LORD your God gives you, and you succeed them, and dwell in their cities, and in their houses;">Deuteronomy 19:1-13</a>. There were many reasons why all the cities of refuge were Levitical cities. Of these reasons the chief probably were:--(1) That these cities were specially consecrated to the Lord (see <a href="/joshua/20-7.htm" title="And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.">Joshua 20:7</a>, "And they appointed," &c.--Heb., <span class= "ital">consecrated</span>)<span class= "ital">; </span>and (2) that it was to the priests and Levites that the people looked as administrators of justice.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/35.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And</span> <span class="cmt_word">among the cities.</span> Rather, "and the cities." <span class="hebrew">וְאֶת הֶעָרים</span> - <span class="greek">καὶ τὰς</span> <span class="greek">πόλεις</span>. The construction is broken, or rather is continuous throughout verses 6-8, the accusative being repeated. Six <span class="cmt_word">cities</span> for refuge. See below on verse 11. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/35-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Six</span><br /><span class="heb">שֵׁשׁ־</span> <span class="translit">(šêš-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8337.htm">Strong's 8337: </a> </span><span class="str2">Six (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the cities</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶֽעָרִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(he·‘ā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you give</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּתְּנוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(tit·tə·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Levites</span><br /><span class="heb">לַלְוִיִּ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(lal·wî·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3881.htm">Strong's 3881: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levites -- descendant of Levi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are to be appointed</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּתְּנ֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(tit·tə·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as cities</span><br /><span class="heb">עָרֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of refuge,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּקְלָ֔ט</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miq·lāṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4733.htm">Strong's 4733: </a> </span><span class="str2">Refuge, asylum</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to which a manslayer</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרֹצֵ֑חַ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rō·ṣê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7523.htm">Strong's 7523: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dash in pieces, kill, to murder</span><br /><br /><span class="word">may flee.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָנֻ֥ס</span> <span class="translit">(lā·nus)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flit, vanish away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">In addition to these,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַעֲלֵיהֶ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(wa·‘ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">give [the Levites]</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּתְּנ֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(tit·tə·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">forty-two</span><br /><span class="heb">אַרְבָּעִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ar·bā·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_705.htm">Strong's 705: </a> </span><span class="str2">Forty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">other cities.</span><br /><span class="heb">עִֽיר׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/35-6.htm">Numbers 35:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/35-6.htm">Numbers 35:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/35-6.htm">Numbers 35:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/35-6.htm">Numbers 35:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/35-6.htm">Numbers 35:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/35-6.htm">Numbers 35:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/35-6.htm">Numbers 35:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/35-6.htm">Numbers 35:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/35-6.htm">Numbers 35:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/35-6.htm">Numbers 35:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">OT Law: Numbers 35:6 The cities which you shall give (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/35-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 35:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 35:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/35-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 35:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 35:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>