Numbers 35

Numbers 35 assigns forty-eight cities to the Levites, including six cities of refuge. The refuge cities protect someone who kills unintentionally from immediate vengeance until proper judgment can occur. The chapter carefully distinguishes accidental killing from murder through circumstances, weapons, hatred, and intent. A murderer must be put to death on sufficient witness, while the manslayer remains in the refuge city until the death of the high priest. Israel must not pollute the land with blood because the LORD dwells among them.