Numbers 35:1-15

1While Israel was camped beside the Jordan on the plains of Moab across from Jericho, the Lord said to Moses,

2“Command the people of Israel to give to the Levites from their property certain towns to live in, along with the surrounding pasturelands.

3These towns will be for the Levites to live in, and the surrounding lands will provide pasture for their cattle, flocks, and other livestock.

4The pastureland assigned to the Levites around these towns will extend 1,500 feet from the town walls in every direction.

5Measure off 3,000 feet outside the town walls in every direction—east, south, west, north—with the town at the center. This area will serve as the larger pastureland for the towns.

6“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.

7In all, forty-eight towns with the surrounding pastureland will be given to the Levites.

8These towns will come from the property of the people of Israel. The larger tribes will give more towns to the Levites, while the smaller tribes will give fewer. Each tribe will give property in proportion to the size of its land.”

9The Lord said to Moses,

10“Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. “When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,

11designate cities of refuge to which people can flee if they have killed someone accidentally.

12These cities will be places of protection from a dead person’s relatives who want to avenge the death. The slayer must not be put to death before being tried by the community.

13Designate six cities of refuge for yourselves,

14three on the east side of the Jordan River and three on the west in the land of Canaan.

15These cities are for the protection of Israelites, foreigners living among you, and traveling merchants. Anyone who accidentally kills someone may flee there for safety.