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One-sentence summary: The Lord gives the Levites land and cities, and He designates cities of refuge for those who commit involuntary manslaughter to flee to for safety.
The Lord speaks to Moses and tells him to give the Levites cities to dwell in and common land around the cities for their animals, and all about their borders.
The Lord tells Moses that once Israel is in Canaan, they are to appoint cities of refuge so that if anyone commits involuntary manslaughter, he may flee to one of these cities (six in total) where they will be safe from retaliation. However, if a man strikes another man with iron, stone, a wooden weapon, or anything by which a man could die, then he is a murderer and must be put to death by "the avenger of blood" (the family member who wishes to take vengeance.) If a man pushes another man out of hatred or throws something at him or strikes him in hatred with his hand so that he dies, he is a murderer and must be put to death. However, if he pushes him without enmity accidentally throws something at him and he dies, then Israel will judge between the manslayer and the "avenger of blood." If they find he did in on accident, they will let him go to the city of refuge until the current high priest dies. If he leaves the city and the avenger of blood finds him and kills him, then he will not be guilty, since the man should have stayed in the city of refuge until the high priest dies. After that, the manslayer may return to his land. They are to keep these laws through all generations. If a man kills another, he must be put to death if there are two or three witnesses. The Lord says that "blood defiles a land," and that the only way to atone for the land is by the blood of the one who has shed blood. They must not defile the land because the Lord dwells with them.
The chief fathers of the tribe of Manessah speak to Moses and the leaders with a question concerning their daughters marrying those of other tribes, so Moses says that their daughters may choose who to marry, but it must be within the tribe, so that the inheritance will stay within each tribe.
Thoughts/Discussion Questions:
Cities of refuge are God's idea. He still desires to have cities of refuge today, and He has!