19:1-3
There are earlier instructions on cities of refuge in Numbers 35. The chapter starts off by assuming that the nations currently occupying the Promised Land will be “cut off” and dispossessed, and dwelt in by the Israelites. When God promises to do something it can be assumed that it will happen. In Numbers 35:6 it refers to six of the Levites towns being set aside as cities of refuge, but then later refers to three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities in the land of Canaan (Num 35:14). The land was to be measured off, so that wherever one lived in the land there was a city of refuge not too far away.
19:4-6
The cities were for the “manslayer”, i.e. someone who accidentally killed a person. To be eligible for this refuge a person had to have no record of having hated the dead person, otherwise the claim that the death was unintentional lacked credibility. A specific example is given of the sort of situation that the cities of refuge were designed for. The reason for them is that the relatives of a dead person may well not act rationally, and be intent on avenging the blood of their relative, even if the person did not deserve it.
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