Joshua 20 speaks of the cities of refuge where the person who had accidentally killed another person is provided asylum until guilt, or innocence is determined. The process of determining innocence, or guilt, is outlined in verses 4-6. Verses 7-8 name the six cities of refuge, three on the western side of Jordan in Canaan and three east of Jordan. The three Western cities are Kedesh, Shechem and Hebron. The three cities to the east are Bezer, Ramoth and Golan. Although not officially a city of refuge Jerusalem was another. Verse 9 restates the purpose of these cities. In the days of Solomon when he gave charge to Shimei we find Solomon treating Jerusalem as a city when Solomon told Shimei that leaving that city would mean Shimei’s life would be forfeited.
Joshua 21 describes the 48 cities of the Levites who were distributed throughout the land to provide access for every Israelite to the teaching of God. The cities are named and their locations given. These cities were surrounded by fields to assist in the support of the Levites..
Verses 43-45 tell us that these cities were established after the Word of the LORD had been fulfilled, after Israel possessed the Promised Land and God’s people had entered their rest. This rest is symbolic of the kingdom rest when all will truly have rest from the effects of sin. The writer to the Hebrews speaks of this in Hebrews 4 verses 9-11. Read slowly, pause and ponder.