How Many Cities of Refuge Were There?
Quick Summary
The Bible names six cities of refuge, established under God’s law to provide safe haven for individuals who had unintentionally caused another person's death. These cities allowed for fair trial and protection from revenge, emphasizing both justice and mercy. Located on both sides of the Jordan River, they were accessible to all Israelites and even resident aliens.
Introduction
In a world where blood revenge was common, the Bible introduced a radically different concept: cities of refuge. These were not places to escape justice, but to ensure it. Rooted in the law given through Moses, the cities of refuge were designed to protect those accused of manslaughter until their case could be heard.
The question is simple: How many cities of refuge were there? But the answer reveals something much deeper about God's character. In naming and establishing these cities, the Bible gives us a theology of grace that values truth, fairness, and the sanctity of life.
How Many Cities of Refuge Were There?
According to Numbers 35:6–15, Joshua 20, and Deuteronomy 19, there were six cities of refuge in total:
On the west side of the Jordan (in Canaan):
Kedesh in Galilee (Naphtali) – in the hill country of the north
Shechem (Ephraim) – in the central hill country
Hebron (also called Kiriath-arba, in Judah) – in the southern hill country
On the east side of the Jordan (Transjordan):
Bezer (Reuben) – in the wilderness plateau
Ramoth (Gilead, in Gad) – in the central east
Golan (Bashan, in Manasseh) – in the far northeast
Each was strategically placed to ensure accessibility, with roads well-maintained so anyone could flee quickly in a time of crisis (Deuteronomy 19:3).
The Purpose of the Cities of Refuge
The cities were established for those who killed someone accidentally or unintentionally. They protected the person from the “avenger of blood”—a family member who sought to avenge the death.
Key purposes:
Prevent injustice by protecting the accused until trial (Numbers 35:12)
Ensure fair judgment and avoid impulsive bloodshed
Uphold God’s standard for life and justice
Protect the land from bloodguilt (Numbers 35:33)
These cities were not meant for murderers, but for people caught in tragic, unintentional situations.
Biblical Basis for the Cities of Refuge
Numbers 35:6–15
God instructs Moses to designate six Levitical cities as cities of refuge. These would serve both Israelites and foreigners.
Deuteronomy 19:1–13
The law explains that roads must be built to these cities and describes the criteria for use. It also clarifies the distinction between accidental killing and murder.
Joshua 20
After entering the Promised Land, Joshua fulfills this law by officially designating the six cities, confirming God’s justice-centered plan.
Cities of Refuge and the Levites
Each of the six cities was also a Levitical city—places assigned to the Levites, the priestly tribe who did not receive tribal land like the others. This association with the Levites reinforced the cities’ role as places of sacred judgment and mercy.
Total Levitical cities: 48 (Numbers 35:7), of which 6 were cities of refuge.
Justice and Mercy in the Ancient World
In the ancient Near East, revenge killings were common and expected. But in Israel, God offered a path toward truth and due process. The cities of refuge were designed to:
Break the cycle of revenge
Protect the vulnerable
Allow for proper investigation
They stand as a powerful testimony to a God who values both justice and mercy, accountability and grace.
How Long Did a Person Stay in a City of Refuge?
Someone who fled to a city of refuge had to stay until the death of the high priest (Numbers 35:25). Once the high priest died, the person could return home without fear of retribution.
This detail connects the act of atonement with the priestly role, foreshadowing the idea that only through the death of a high priest could guilt be lifted and restoration granted (see Hebrews 9:11–14).
Who Could Use the Cities of Refuge?
Israelites
Foreigners and resident aliens (Numbers 35:15)
The law extended protection to anyone living within the land who unintentionally caused a death. God's mercy was never limited by ethnicity or status.
Jesus and the Fulfillment of the City of Refuge
While the cities of refuge were a legal provision in the Old Testament, they also foreshadowed something greater: Jesus Christ as our ultimate refuge.
Hebrews 6:18 says we “have fled to take hold of the hope set before us.”
Jesus offers refuge not just for accidental sins, but for all sin.
Unlike the cities of refuge, we don’t have to wait for the high priest to die—he already has, once and for all (Hebrews 9:11–14).
In Christ, justice and mercy meet fully. He is not just the high priest. He is the refuge.
Meaning for Today
The six cities of refuge remind us that:
God values both truth and grace
Refuge is meant to be accessible
Mercy is structured into God’s law, not an exception to it
We live in a world still hungry for justice and desperate for safety. In the gospel, we see the echo of these ancient cities fulfilled in a Savior who invites us to run to him—not just to escape guilt, but to be made whole.
