For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,
They gave them the city of Shechem with its surrounding pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, which was designated as a city of refuge for anyone who accidentally killed someone; and also Gezer with its surrounding lands,
This verse describes how the Israelites gave the Levites specific cities, including Shechem which served as a safe haven for people who accidentally killed someone.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of the distribution of cities to the Levites (the priestly tribe) who received no territorial inheritance like the other tribes. The cities of refuge were established as places where someone who accidentally killed another person could flee for protection from revenge, ensuring they received a fair trial rather than immediate retaliation from the victim's family.
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