Roads: To Cities of Refuge
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In the biblical context, the concept of cities of refuge is introduced in the Pentateuch, specifically in the books of Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua. These cities were designated as safe havens for individuals who had committed unintentional manslaughter, allowing them to escape the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted. The roads leading to these cities were of significant importance, as they facilitated the swift and safe passage of those seeking asylum.

Biblical Foundation

The establishment of cities of refuge is first mentioned in Numbers 35:9-15. The LORD instructed Moses to set aside six cities, three on each side of the Jordan River, to serve as places of refuge. The purpose of these cities was to provide protection for anyone who killed a person unintentionally, ensuring that they would not be killed by the avenger of blood before standing trial.

In Deuteronomy 19:1-3, further instructions are given regarding the preparation of roads to these cities: "When the LORD your God has destroyed 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 three cities for yourselves in 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."

Significance of the Roads

The roads to the cities of refuge were to be well-maintained and clearly marked to ensure that the manslayer could reach safety without delay. Jewish tradition holds that the roads were to be twice the normal width, with clear signage at crossroads indicating the direction to the nearest city of refuge. This reflects the importance of accessibility and the urgency of providing refuge to those in need.

The roads symbolize the provision of God's mercy and justice. They demonstrate the balance between the sanctity of life and the need for due process. The cities of refuge, and by extension the roads leading to them, underscore the biblical principle that justice should be tempered with compassion and that every individual deserves a fair hearing.

Geographical and Historical Context

The six cities of refuge were strategically located throughout the land of Israel to ensure that they were accessible from all regions. On the west side of the Jordan River, the cities were Kedesh in Galilee, Shechem in Ephraim, and Hebron in Judah. On the east side, the cities were Bezer in Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead, and Golan in Bashan (Joshua 20:7-8).

These cities were Levite cities, which further emphasizes their role as places of justice and spiritual refuge. The Levites, being set apart for religious duties, were seen as impartial and capable of administering God's laws fairly.

Theological Implications

The roads to the cities of refuge highlight the biblical theme of God's provision for His people. They serve as a reminder of the grace and protection offered to those who seek it. The cities of refuge foreshadow the ultimate refuge found in Christ, who provides safety and salvation for all who come to Him in faith. As Hebrews 6:18-20 suggests, believers have fled to Christ for refuge, finding hope and security in Him as their high priest and mediator.

In summary, the roads to the cities of refuge are a testament to God's justice and mercy, providing a means of protection and a path to redemption for those in need.
Nave's Topical Index
Deuteronomy 19:3
You shall prepare you a way, and divide the coasts of your land, which the LORD your God gives you to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Cities of Refuge.
... Jewish writers say that the roads leading to these cities were always kept in good
repair, and that guide-posts were placed at every cross road with "Refuge! ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the cities of refuge.htm

The Gospel Refuge.
... Where there were angles or by-roads, posts with "Refuge" on them were set up; and
as there were no bridges across Jordan, three of the cities were placed, as I ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/iii the gospel refuge.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... The roads to the cities of refuge required to be always kept in good order (Deuteronomy
19:3). According to the Talmud they were to be forty-eight feet wide ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

The King's Highway Opened and Cleared
... aforethought, he might flee at once to the City of Refuge; and if he ... of the district
were accustomed to survey the high roads which led to these cities. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/the kings highway opened and.htm

Whether the Judicial Precepts were Suitably Framed as to the ...
... no hatred against him, shall flee to one of the cities" of refuge and "abide ... of the
city swore that they had taken every measure for safeguarding the roads. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judicial precepts were 3.htm

Farewell
... Thirty-one great roads centered in Rome, which, issuing from the Forum, traversed
Italy ... Near the ascent to the Capitol was the asylum (Cities of refuge). ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter i farewell.htm

Canaan
... Canaan had ever been the refuge of the Asiatic population of Egypt, the goal at
which they aimed ... Military roads connected the Hittite cities of Cappadocia ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

Brief Table of Contemporary Public Events
... roads through the Maremma are insecure for peaceable folk, and the peasants are
driven to take refuge in the plague-stricken town. 1375. Eighty Italian cities ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/brief table of contemporary public.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... migdols* built at the bends of the roads, at the ... and was sometimes used to denote
cities which had ... vessels were accustomed to take hasty refuge in tempestuous ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Work Awaiting the Worker
... Greek cities, such as Antioch in Syria and Alexandria in ... They pierced the countries
with roads, which connected them ... and many of them found refuge from the ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter v the work awaiting.htm

Resources
What is the right religion for me? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the Roman Empire in biblical history? | GotQuestions.org

What are the essentials of the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.org

Roads: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Roads

Roads: Built by Rulers

Roads: from Beth-El to Shechem

Roads: from Gibeon to Beth-Horon

Roads: from Judaea to Galilee, by Way of Samaria

Roads: Public Highways

Roads: To Cities of Refuge

Roads: To the House of God

Related Terms

Cross-roads (2 Occurrences)

Side-roads (1 Occurrence)

Settle (63 Occurrences)

Waste (668 Occurrences)

Pisidia (2 Occurrences)

Foot (193 Occurrences)

Cart (12 Occurrences)

Concourse (4 Occurrences)

Crossroads (3 Occurrences)

Antioch (21 Occurrences)

Roadside (9 Occurrences)

Side-posts (7 Occurrences)

Side-rooms (7 Occurrences)

Territory (140 Occurrences)

Perfumes (69 Occurrences)

Minor (2 Occurrences)

Asia (22 Occurrences)

Quail (5 Occurrences)

Narrow (21 Occurrences)

North (164 Occurrences)

Unfamiliar (1 Occurrence)

Overhanging (6 Occurrences)

Open (586 Occurrences)

Journey (214 Occurrences)

Levelled (5 Occurrences)

Improvement (2 Occurrences)

Fields (199 Occurrences)

Taverns (1 Occurrence)

Tabernacles (43 Occurrences)

Tunnel (2 Occurrences)

Road (155 Occurrences)

Roadmarks (1 Occurrence)

Reduce (13 Occurrences)

Rob (27 Occurrences)

Ravine (26 Occurrences)

Ramathmizpeh (1 Occurrence)

Rugged (7 Occurrences)

Ramath-mizpeh (1 Occurrence)

Deep (237 Occurrences)

Doorways (26 Occurrences)

Design (84 Occurrences)

Debir (12 Occurrences)

Day's (19 Occurrences)

Meeting (323 Occurrences)

Metal (69 Occurrences)

Portals (2 Occurrences)

Pioneer (2 Occurrences)

Philip (37 Occurrences)

Pamphylia (6 Occurrences)

Byways (2 Occurrences)

Barefoot (7 Occurrences)

Barak (14 Occurrences)

Bride-feast (4 Occurrences)

Beth-horon (12 Occurrences)

By-ways (1 Occurrence)

Banqueting (6 Occurrences)

Bowmen (13 Occurrences)

Bethhoron (12 Occurrences)

Bethsaida (7 Occurrences)

Crossing (26 Occurrences)

Chaldea (8 Occurrences)

Crossway (2 Occurrences)

Approach (56 Occurrences)

Sea (4178 Occurrences)

Salchah (1 Occurrence)

Survey (6 Occurrences)

Salcah (4 Occurrences)

Salecah (4 Occurrences)

Horonaim (5 Occurrences)

Hedge-rows (1 Occurrence)

Places (610 Occurrences)

Country

Moab (162 Occurrences)

Gadara

Enrogel (4 Occurrences)

En-rogel (4 Occurrences)

Mountain (298 Occurrences)

Esdraelon

Roads: Public Highways
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