A place of safety or protection from enemies. Six of the levitical cities were designated as cities of refuge (Josh 20:7-9), where one who accidentally caused a death might seek asylum from avengers until the case could be judged by the elders of the city. One who was found innocent of deliberate murder could continue to live in sanctuary in the city of refuge (Num 35:6-28; Deut 19:1-13). God is often portrayed as a refuge or shelter for humanity, most frequently in psalms (Ps 7:1; Ps 11:1; Ps 46:1; 2Sam 22:3; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Heb 6:18).
