Numbers 35:6

Arabic Bible Life (Targamet El Hayah) (LA)

وتعطون اللاويين ست مدن للملجإ يهرب إليها القاتل، وأيضا اثنتين وأربعين مدينة.

What Does This Mean?

This verse tells us that out of the cities given to the Levites, six will be special cities of refuge for people who accidentally kill someone. The rest, forty-two cities, are for the Levites to live in. This comes from God's instructions to the Israelites.

Explained for Children

Imagine if you accidentally broke something valuable in your friend's house and got scared someone might be mad at you. In the old days, God told the Israelites to make special 'safe zones' where people could go to be safe if they accidentally hurt someone. Six of these special places were made, and there were also 42 more places for the Levites, who were like the helpers in the community, to live.

Historical Background

Numbers 35 is part of the Book of Numbers, written by Moses around 1400 BC. This book details the journey of the Israelites in the wilderness and their laws and practices. The verse reflects the legal and social structure of the Israelite community, emphasizing justice and protection.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this verse reminds us of the importance of justice and safety nets. Just as the Israelites had cities of refuge to protect those who made mistakes, we can think about how we create safe spaces and support systems for those who are in difficult situations.

Topics

• justice
• protection
• accidental harm
• legal refuge
• community responsibility
• safe spaces

Related Verses

• Exodus 21:12-14
• Joshua 20:1-3
• Deuteronomy 19:1-13
• 1 Kings 2:28-31
• Hebrews 6:18

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of cities of refuge?

Cities of refuge provided a safe place for people who accidentally killed someone to go and be protected from revenge until a trial could determine if they were guilty or not.

Why were the Levites given 42 cities?

The Levites were given 42 cities because they did not own any land in Israel. These cities were to serve as their homes and places of service.

How were the cities of refuge chosen?

The cities of refuge were chosen from among the Levite cities, ensuring they were spread across the land of Israel for easy access to those who needed refuge.

What happens if someone flees to a city of refuge?

Once someone flees to a city of refuge, they are protected from retaliation until their case can be heard by the authorities to determine if the killing was accidental or intentional.