SERIES G --- THE PROMISED LAND --- LESSON 19

CITIES OF REFUGE

THE LAND ASSIGNED TO DAN

From Joshua 19:40-51

The seventh and last of the seven tribes to receive an inheritance under this special program was Dan. The cities in the territory assigned to the tribe of Dan included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh, Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, Elon, Timnah, Ekron, Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon, Mejarkon and Rakkon, as well as the territory near Joppa. Because the people of Dan were not able to conquer some of this land, they went far to the north to Leshem, captured the city and killed its people. They renamed the city – Dan -- and lived there. When the division of the land was completed, the people of Israel gave Joshua an inheritance among theirs. As Adonai had commanded, they gave him the city of Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, the city he had requested. Joshua rebuilt the city and made it his home. It was Eleazar the priest and Joshua who cast lots to decide which tribe should get each part of the land. This was done at Shiloh at the entrance of the tabernacle.

THE CITIES OF REFUGE

From Joshua 20:1-9

[Command your people to set up Cities of Refuge,] Adonai told Joshua. [Establish them as I Commanded to Moses. If a man accidentally kills someone, he may live in one of these cities. There he cannot be harmed by anyone who wants to get revenge. When the man who flees to one of these cities arrives, he must talk to the leaders of the city and tell them what he did. The leaders must accept him into the city and find a place for him to live. If someone comes to the city to get revenge, the city leaders must not give up this man to the avenger. The refugee will remain in that city until he has been tried. He must continue to live in the city until the death of the man who was the High Priest when the tragedy happened. Then he may return to his own home town from which he ran away.] The following cities were chosen as the Cities of Refuge: Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, Kiriath-arba or Hebron, in the hill country of Judah. East of the Jordan River, these three cities became Cities of Refuge: Bezer in the wilderness plateau of the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh. These cities were to protect not only the people of Israel, but also the foreigner living among them. Anyone who killed a person by accident could run away to one of those cities where he would be safe from an avenger until he had a trial before the people.

COMMENTARY

CITIES OF REFUGE

YHVH planned a place of safety for those who might accidentally kill another person. As the land was divided, these cities of refuge were not forgotten. The system of justice in ancient times took [an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth] almost literally. This was particularly true in the case of murder. The victim’s closest relative was expected to find the murderer and kill him. The relative was the [avenger of blood,] legally seeking vengeance on behalf of the murdered person’s family. The Israelites recognized the need to make this system more fair and just and they brought about some changes. Six of the Levite cities, three on each side of the Jordan River, were appointed [cities of refuge.] If the accused murderer or person who killed accidentally could get there before the [avenger of blood] got to him, he would be safe. The city elders then called a trial, where more than one witness was required in order to prevent false or incorrect testimony. If he was found guilty, the murderer was handed over to the avenger. But an accused murderer who was acquitted was not entirely free. He had to remain in the city of refuge until the high priest died; and they were appointed for life. If he ran off, the avenger could kill him without fear.