The answer is: Accidental murder

Josh 20:3

The cities of refuge in the Book of Joshua were a fascinating solution designed to address issues of justice and mercy in ancient Israel. Picture this scenario: someone accidentally causes a death, which could unleash a cycle of revenge and violence. The establishment of these cities—Kadesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan—offered a place where the accused could flee, ensuring they weren’t punished without due process.

What’s intriguing is how this reflects a profound approach to justice in those times, allowing for recognition of human fallibility. In the Torah, we read similar feelings expressed in Exodus 21:13, highlighting the distinction made between intentional and accidental acts in the pursuit of justice. The fairness of these cities wasn't just practical; it inherently valued human life and sought to uphold community harmony.

The geographical spread of these cities indicates strategic thinking, ensuring that they were accessible across much of the Promised Land. Excitingly, they weren’t just for the Israelites—Deuteronomy even hints they were also designed with vulnerable populations in mind! Each refuge city would have special properties and connections to serve the community’s broader goal of restraint, restoration, and healing.

So next time you think of these cities, remember their role as not just a refuge in physical terms, but symbolically as places of compassion and reconciliation, essential values that are timeless.