Numbers 35:13 - The cities which you shall give shall be for you six cities of refuge.
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What does "Numbers 35:13" mean?
Numbers 35:13, "The cities which you shall give shall be for you six cities of refuge," refers to a system established in ancient Israel to provide sanctuary for those who accidentally killed another person. Let's break down what this means:
Cities of Refuge: These were specially designated towns or cities within the territory allotted to the Israelites.
Purpose: The purpose of these cities was to provide a safe haven for individuals who committed manslaughter (unintentional killing). If someone accidentally killed another person, they could flee to one of these cities to escape the blood avenger (a relative of the deceased who was obligated to seek revenge).
Protection: Inside the city of refuge, the person was protected from the blood avenger. They would remain there until their case could be judged fairly. If found guilty of intentional murder, they would be handed over to the avenger. If found to have committed manslaughter, they would remain in the city of refuge until the death of the current high priest.
Six Cities: The verse specifies that there would be six such cities. They were strategically located throughout the land to be accessible from different areas.
"Shall be for you": This means that the Israelites were responsible for establishing and maintaining these cities for this specific purpose. It was a communal obligation to provide justice and protection within their society.
In essence, the verse outlines the commandment for the Israelites to establish six cities where those who unintentionally caused someone's death could find refuge from revenge and receive a fair hearing. It's a reflection of a legal system that sought to balance justice, mercy, and the prevention of blood feuds.
Numbers 35:13 - The cities which you shall give shall be for you six cities of refuge.
What does "Numbers 35:13" mean?
Numbers 35:13, "The cities which you shall give shall be for you six cities of refuge," refers to a system established in ancient Israel to provide sanctuary for those who accidentally killed another person. Let's break down what this means:
Cities of Refuge: These were specially designated towns or cities within the territory allotted to the Israelites.
Purpose: The purpose of these cities was to provide a safe haven for individuals who committed manslaughter (unintentional killing). If someone accidentally killed another person, they could flee to one of these cities to escape the blood avenger (a relative of the deceased who was obligated to seek revenge).
Protection: Inside the city of refuge, the person was protected from the blood avenger. They would remain there until their case could be judged fairly. If found guilty of intentional murder, they would be handed over to the avenger. If found to have committed manslaughter, they would remain in the city of refuge until the death of the current high priest.
Six Cities: The verse specifies that there would be six such cities. They were strategically located throughout the land to be accessible from different areas.
"Shall be for you": This means that the Israelites were responsible for establishing and maintaining these cities for this specific purpose. It was a communal obligation to provide justice and protection within their society.
In essence, the verse outlines the commandment for the Israelites to establish six cities where those who unintentionally caused someone's death could find refuge from revenge and receive a fair hearing. It's a reflection of a legal system that sought to balance justice, mercy, and the prevention of blood feuds.