Numbers 35:6
New International Version
“Six of the towns you give the Levites will be cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone may flee. In addition, give them forty-two other towns.

New Living Translation
“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.

English Standard Version
“The cities that you give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, where you shall permit the manslayer to flee, and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.

Berean Standard Bible
Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities.

King James Bible
And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.

New King James Version
“Now among the cities which you will give to the Levites you shall appoint six cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. And to these you shall add forty-two cities.

New American Standard Bible
The cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall provide for the one who commits manslaughter to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.

NASB 1995
“The cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.

NASB 1977
“And the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.

Amplified Bible
[Among] the cities which you give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall provide for the one who commits manslaughter to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities [to the Levites].

Christian Standard Bible
“The cities you give the Levites will include six cities of refuge, which you will provide so that the one who kills someone may flee there; in addition to these, give forty-two other cities.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The cities you give the Levites will include six cities of refuge, which you must provide so that the one who kills someone may flee there; in addition to these, give 42 other cities.

American Standard Version
And the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which ye shall give for the manslayer to flee unto: and besides them ye shall give forty and two cities.

Contemporary English Version
Six of the towns you give them will be Safe Towns where a person who has accidentally killed someone can run for protection. But you will also give the Levites 42 other towns,

English Revised Version
And the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which ye shall give for the manslayer to flee thither: and beside them ye shall give forty and two cities.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Six of the cities you give the Levites will be cities of refuge. You must allow murderers to escape to these cities. In addition, you must also give the Levites 42 other cities.

Good News Translation
You are to give the Levites six cities of refuge to which any of you can escape if you kill someone accidentally. In addition, give them forty-two other cities

International Standard Version
You are to set aside six towns of refuge from the towns that you will be giving to the descendants of Levi, where someone who kills a human being may run for shelter. In addition, give them 42 other towns.

Majority Standard Bible
Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities.

NET Bible
Now from these towns that you will give to the Levites you must select six towns of refuge to which a person who has killed someone may flee. And you must give them forty-two other towns.

New Heart English Bible
"The cities which you shall give to the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to: and besides them you shall give forty-two cities.

Webster's Bible Translation
And among the cities which ye shall give to the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the man-slayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.

World English Bible
“The cities which you shall give to the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the man slayer to flee to. Besides them you shall give forty-two cities.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the cities which you give to the Levites [are] the six cities of refuge, which you give for the fleeing there of the manslayer, and besides them you give forty-two cities;

Young's Literal Translation
And the cities which ye give to the Levites are the six cities of refuge, which ye give for the fleeing thither of the man-slayer, and besides them ye give forty and two cities;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the cities which ye shall give to the Levites, six cities of refuge, which ye shall give to flee there to the slayer: and upon them ye shall give forty and two.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And among the cities, which you shall give to the Levites, six shall be separated for refuge to fugitives, that he who hath shed blood may flee to them: and besides these there shall be other forty-two cities,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now, from the towns which you shall give to the Levites, six shall be separated for the assistance of fugitives, so that he who has shed blood may flee to them. And, aside from these, there shall be forty-two other towns,

New American Bible
Now these are the cities you will give to the Levites: the six cities of asylum which you must establish for the homicide to run to, and in addition forty-two other cities—

New Revised Standard Version
The towns that you give to the Levites shall include the six cities of refuge, where you shall permit a slayer to flee, and in addition to them you shall give forty-two towns.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And among the cities which you shall give to the Levites, six cities shall be set aside for you for refuge, that the manslayer who had slain his neighbor without intent may flee thither; and to them you shall add forty-two other cities.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And cities that you are giving to the Levites, let six cities be a place of refuge for you, so that a killer who kills his neighbor without his intention may flee there, and add forty and two cities unto them.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which ye shall give for the manslayer to flee thither; and beside them ye shall give forty and two cities.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And ye shall give the cities to the Levites, the six cities of refuge which ye shall give for the slayer to flee thither, and in addition to these, forty-two cities.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Six Cities of Refuge
6 Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities. 7The total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, with their corresponding pasturelands.…

Cross References
Joshua 20:1-9
Then the LORD said to Joshua, / “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, / so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. ...

Deuteronomy 19:1-13
When the LORD your God has cut off the nations whose land He is giving you, and when you have driven them out and settled in their cities and houses, / then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess. / You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities. ...

Exodus 21:12-14
Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. / If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. / But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death.

Hebrews 6:18
Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.

Acts 7:58-60
They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. / While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” / Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

1 Kings 2:28-34
When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ...

Leviticus 25:32-34
As for the cities of the Levites, the Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the cities they possess. / So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed—a house sold in a city they possess—and must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the Israelites. / But the open pastureland around their cities may not be sold, for this is their permanent possession.

Matthew 5:21-22
You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

2 Samuel 14:14
For we will surely die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life, but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him.

Psalm 46:1
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Isaiah 4:6
a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and the rain.

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

1 John 3:15
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.

Genesis 9:6
Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.

Ezekiel 45:1-6
“When you divide the land by lot as an inheritance, you are to set aside a portion for the LORD, a holy portion of the land 25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits wide. This entire tract of land will be holy. / Within this area there is to be a section for the sanctuary 500 cubits square, with 50 cubits around it for open land. / From this holy portion, you are to measure off a length of 25,000 cubits and a width of 10,000 cubits, and in it will be the sanctuary, the Most Holy Place. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And among the cities which you shall give to the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which you shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them you shall add forty and two cities.

six cities for refuge

Numbers 35:13,14
And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge…

Deuteronomy 4:41-43
Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sunrising; …

Joshua 20:2-9
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: …

to them ye shall add.

Jump to Previous
Add Addition Appoint Besides Killed Levites Manslayer Man-Slayer Permit Places Refuge Safe Six Someone Taker Thither Towns
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Add Addition Appoint Besides Killed Levites Manslayer Man-Slayer Permit Places Refuge Safe Six Someone Taker Thither Towns
Numbers 35
1. Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof
6. Six of them are to be cities of refuge
9. The laws of murder and manslaughter
31. No satisfaction for murder














Six of the cities
The number six in biblical numerology often represents imperfection or incompleteness, as it falls short of the number seven, which symbolizes completeness and divine perfection. In this context, the six cities of refuge are part of a larger system of justice and mercy, reflecting God's provision for human imperfection. Historically, these cities were strategically located throughout Israel to ensure accessibility, underscoring God's desire for justice to be within reach for all.

you give the Levites
The Levites were the priestly tribe, set apart for service to God and the community. They did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes but were given cities to dwell in. This arrangement highlights the Levites' unique role as spiritual leaders and mediators. The provision of cities to the Levites signifies God's care for those dedicated to His service and the importance of spiritual oversight within the community.

will be cities of refuge
The concept of cities of refuge is deeply rooted in the Hebrew word "מִקְלָט" (miqlat), meaning a place of asylum or protection. These cities served as a sanctuary for individuals who committed manslaughter, offering them protection from the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted. This system reflects God's justice and mercy, ensuring that punishment is meted out fairly and that innocent blood is not shed. It also foreshadows the ultimate refuge found in Christ, who offers protection and redemption to all who seek Him.

where a person who has killed someone may flee
The phrase underscores the gravity of taking a life, even unintentionally. The Hebrew word for "killed" here is "נָכָה" (nakah), which can mean to strike or smite. The provision for fleeing to a city of refuge emphasizes the sanctity of life and the need for due process. It acknowledges human fallibility and the potential for accidents, while also providing a means for justice and reconciliation.

In addition to these
This phrase indicates that the cities of refuge were part of a broader provision for the Levites. It suggests that God's care and provision extend beyond immediate needs, encompassing a comprehensive plan for the welfare of His people. The additional cities provided to the Levites ensured their sustenance and ability to fulfill their spiritual duties.

give the Levites forty-two other cities
The total of forty-eight cities (including the six cities of refuge) given to the Levites represents a significant portion of the land, reflecting the importance of spiritual leadership and the centrality of worship in the life of Israel. The number forty-two, while not as symbolically significant as other numbers, contributes to the overall structure and order within the nation. This allocation underscores the principle that those who serve God and His people are worthy of support and provision.

(6, 7, 8) And among the cities which ye shall give . . . --The construction of this verse is involved; or, rather, there is a suspension of the subject in Numbers 35:6, and a resumption of it in Numbers 35:7-8. The verses may be rendered thus: And as to the cities which ye shall give to the Levites, viz., the six cities of refuge which ye shall give that the manslayer may flee thither (and in addition to these ye shall give forty and two cities); as to all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites, viz., forty and eight cities, them and their suburbs; now as to the cities which ye shall give from the possession of the children of Israel; from the many ye shall take many, and from the few ye shall take few . . . It had already been announced in general terms that a place should be appointed whither any one should flee who had unintentionally smitten a man so that he died, and had not lain in wait with a view to commit murder (Exodus 21:12-13). In the verses which follow, the law is delivered at length, and is repeated and further expanded in Deuteronomy 19:1-13. There were many reasons why all the cities of refuge were Levitical cities. Of these reasons the chief probably were:--(1) That these cities were specially consecrated to the Lord (see Joshua 20:7, "And they appointed," &c.--Heb., consecrated); and (2) that it was to the priests and Levites that the people looked as administrators of justice.

Verse 6. - And among the cities. Rather, "and the cities." וְאֶת הֶעָרים - καὶ τὰς πόλεις. The construction is broken, or rather is continuous throughout verses 6-8, the accusative being repeated. Six cities for refuge. See below on verse 11.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Six
שֵׁשׁ־ (šêš-)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)

of the cities
הֶֽעָרִ֗ים (he·‘ā·rîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5892: Excitement

you give
תִּתְּנוּ֙ (tit·tə·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the Levites
לַלְוִיִּ֔ם (lal·wî·yim)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

are to be appointed
תִּתְּנ֔וּ (tit·tə·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

as cities
עָרֵ֣י (‘ā·rê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of refuge,
הַמִּקְלָ֔ט (ham·miq·lāṭ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4733: Refuge, asylum

to which a manslayer
הָרֹצֵ֑חַ (hā·rō·ṣê·aḥ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7523: To dash in pieces, kill, to murder

may flee.
לָנֻ֥ס (lā·nus)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

In addition to these,
וַעֲלֵיהֶ֣ם (wa·‘ă·lê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

give [the Levites]
תִּתְּנ֔וּ (tit·tə·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

forty-two
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים (’ar·bā·‘îm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 705: Forty

other cities.
עִֽיר׃ (‘îr)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement


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OT Law: Numbers 35:6 The cities which you shall give (Nu Num.)
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