Numbers 35
The Levite cities were to have a ring at least 1500 feet (approximately four football fields) deep surrounding them which they would use to keep their sheep and goods. Actually this also defines this space as 3000 feet deep. Six cities to be chosen later were to be cities of refuge for those who killed by accident to dwell safely until their cases could be heard and judgement issued. Another forty-two cities were also to be given to the Levites. Each tribe was to give of their cities but it was not expected that it would simply be four from each tribe. Once a man was judged guilty of manslaughter rather than murder he could live in the refuge city until the death of the current high priest and then he should return to the land of his inheritance. In order to be murder there had to be at least two witnesses to testify that it was intentional. If he left the city before that and the person who’s right it was to have revenge for the person he killed that person could kill him freely. It was unlawful that a murderer be allowed to pay a fine rather than be killed and it was also unlawful that someone guilty of manslaughter be allowed to return to his own land before the death of the high priest by paying a fine.
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