As the Israelites camped on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, the Lord spoke to Moses once more. He said, "Command the people to set apart towns for the Levites. From the inheritance of the tribes, give them places to live, along with pasturelands for their cattle, flocks, and all their animals."
Each town given to the Levites was to be surrounded by open fields — a space stretching fifteen hundred feet from the town walls in every direction, and three thousand feet measured outward from each side — enough land to sustain their herds and daily needs.
In total, the Levites were to receive forty-eight towns, including six that would serve a special purpose — cities of refuge. These six cities would be safe places for anyone who accidentally killed another person. They would protect the one who caused a death unintentionally from the avenger of blood until a proper trial could be held.
The Lord instructed that three of these cities be established on the east side of the Jordan and three within Canaan itself. They were to be open not only to the Israelites but also to foreigners living among them, so that justice and mercy would be shown to all.
But the Lord also gave clear laws concerning murder. If a man struck another with an iron tool, a heavy stone, or a deadly piece of wood and the person died — it was murder. The murderer was to be put to death. If he killed out of hatred or premeditated anger, the avenger of blood had the right to take his life when he met him.
Yet, if the death happened by accident — if someone pushed another without anger, or dropped a stone unknowingly — then the assembly would hear the case and decide. The one found innocent of intent would be sent to live in a city of refuge until the high priest, anointed with holy oil, died. Only then could he return home safely.
If he left the city of refuge before that time and the avenger found him outside, the avenger could kill him without guilt — for the safety of the accused was bound to the city until the high priest's death.
The Lord declared, "These laws shall remain for all your generations. Do not take ransom for the life of a murderer — he must die. And do not take payment to allow one who fled to return home early. Blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can cleanse it except the blood of the one who shed it. Do not defile the land where you live, for I dwell among you — I, the Lord, dwell among the Israelites."