The Cities of Refuge: a Practical Theology Perspective Toward the Protection of Human Rights

Pahala Sihotang

Abstract


The term “Cities of Refuge” can be found in the Old Testament, particularly in Deuteronomy 19:1–13, with parallel passages in Deuteronomy 4:41–43, Numbers 35:9–28, and Joshua 20:1–9. The “Cities of Refuge” mentioned in these Old Testament passages refer to places of protection for perpetrators of homicide whose acts were committed unintentionally. Thus, the person responsible for the unintentional killing could seek a place of asylum or refuge so that innocent blood would not be shed in the land that God had given to the Israelites. While regulations concerning detention centers or correctional facilities are established by governments as places of protection and custody for criminal offenders, the “Cities of Refuge” in the biblical context were directly instituted by the LORD God Himself as an expression of His providential care for His people. This study employs a qualitative research method using a Practical Theology approach, supported by biblical analysis, to examine the relevance of the Cities of Refuge in the realization and protection of human rights (HR).


Keywords


Cities of Refuge, Deuteronomy–Numbers–Joshua, Practical Theology, Human Rights (HR).

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22734589

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