Numbers 35:2-8

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.”