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.
Among the cities you give to the Levites, there must be six cities of refuge where someone who has killed another person accidentally can run for safety. In addition to these six cities, you must give the Levites forty-two more cities.
God is establishing six special cities where people who accidentally kill someone can find safety, plus forty-two additional cities for the Levites to live in.
📚 Historical Context
This instruction was given as the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land after their wilderness wandering. The Levites were the priestly tribe who didn't receive a large territory like the other tribes, so they were given specific cities scattered throughout Israel. These cities of refuge were a merciful provision to protect those who killed accidentally from revenge killing by the victim's family.
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