Cities of Refuge

The Cities of Refuge were towns in the Kingdom of Israel and Kingdom of Judah in which the perpetrators of manslaughter could claim the right of asylum; outside of these cities, blood vengeance against such perpetrators was allowed by law. The Torah names just six cities as being cities of refuge: Golan, Ramoth, and Bosor, on the east of the Jordan River, and Kedesh, Shechem, and Hebron on the western side.

Read more about Cities Of Refuge:  Origin and Development, Asylum in Classical Judea

Famous quotes containing the words cities and/or refuge:

    “London, thou art of townes A per se.
    Soveraign of cities, semeliest in sight,
    Of high renoun, riches, and royaltie;
    Of lordis, barons, and many goodly knyght;
    Of most delectable lusty ladies bright;
    Of famous prelatis in habitis clericall;
    Of merchauntis full of substaunce and myght:
    London, thou art the flour of Cities all”
    —William Dunbar (c. 1465–c. 1530)

    “The great advantage of a hotel is that it’s a refuge from home life.”
    —George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)