Cities of Refuge

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The Cities of Refuge were six Biblical towns in Israel that offered asylum to someone who had unintentionally slain another.

Of the six cities, three were on the West side of the Jordan River (Cedes, Shechem and Hebron) and three were on the East side (Golan, Ramoth and Bosor). According to the Mosaic Law, the "avenger of blood", generally a close relative to the victim, had the right to kill the slayer should he leave the city of refuge. This right ended when the High Priest died, and those who had sought asylum were allowed to return home without fear of punishment.