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Old Testament

The Pentateuch

What were the cities of refuge?

Because the Levites did not have land for themselves, they were given forty-eight cities throughout the land. Six of those cities were cities of refuge. These cities were places where someone who killed another person by accident could take refuge until a trial could take place before the congregation. By taking refuge in a city of refuge, the person who killed was assured he would not be sought out and killed in revenge.