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Wednesday, September 27, 2023

The Original Sanctuary Cities

 

The phrase "City of Refuge" is a compound noun that consists of two words: "city" and "refuge." The word "city" refers to a large and densely populated urban area. The word "refuge" refers to a place of safety or protection.

When these two words are combined, they create a phrase that refers to a place where people can go to find safety from danger. This phrase is often used in a religious context, where it refers to a place where people can go to find forgiveness and salvation.

Here is a linguistic analysis of the phrase "City of Refuge":

Part of speech: Compound noun

Grammatical structure: The phrase "City of Refuge" is a noun phrase. It is made up of two nouns: "city" and "refuge." The word "city" is the head noun, and the word "refuge" is the modifier noun.

Semantic meaning: The phrase "City of Refuge" refers to a place where people can go to find safety from danger. This phrase is often used in a religious context, where it refers to a place where people can go to find forgiveness and salvation.

Connotative meaning: The phrase "City of Refuge" has a positive connotation. It is associated with safety, protection, and hope.

Usage: The phrase "City of Refuge" is used in a variety of contexts, including:

  • In the Bible, the phrase "City of Refuge" refers to six cities that were designated as places where people could go to seek asylum from the avenger of blood.
  • In the United States, the phrase "City of Refuge" is used to refer to a program that provides sanctuary to undocumented immigrants who are fleeing persecution in their home countries.
  • In general, the phrase "City of Refuge" can be used to refer to any place where people can go to find safety and protection.

The phrase "City of Refuge" is a powerful and evocative phrase that has a rich linguistic and cultural history. It is a phrase that speaks to the human need for safety and protection, and it is a phrase that offers hope to those who are fleeing danger.

The phrase "City of Refuge" has both biblical and modern meanings.

In the Bible, a city of refuge was a place where people who had committed accidental manslaughter could seek asylum from the victim's family. There were six cities of refuge in Israel, three on each side of the Jordan River.

The cities of refuge were a way to protect innocent people from being killed in revenge. They were also a sign of God's mercy and compassion.

In modern times, the phrase "city of refuge" is often used to describe places or organizations that provide safety and support to people who are fleeing violence, persecution, or other forms of harm.

For example, there are many non-profit organizations called "City of Refuge" that provide services to homeless people, victims of domestic violence, and refugees.

The phrase "city of refuge" is also used to describe some physical places, such as the City of Refuge in Atlanta, Georgia, which is a community that provides housing and supportive services to people who are experiencing homelessness.

The phrase "city of refuge" is a powerful reminder that there is always hope and safety for those who are suffering. It is a call to compassion and action for those who are able to help.

Here are some examples of modern-day cities of refuge:

  • City of Refuge Atlanta
  • City of Refuge Baltimore
  • City of Refuge Columbia
  • City of Refuge Sacramento
  • City of Refuge UK

These organizations provide a variety of services to people in need, including housing, food, clothing, medical care, education, and job training. They also offer spiritual support and counseling.

Cities of refuge play an important role in helping people to rebuild their lives and achieve their full potential.

According to Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, a "City of Refuge" is a place where criminals or those fleeing persecution can find safety. The phrase "city of refuge" is used in the Bible to refer to six cities in the land of Israel that were designated as places where criminals could flee and be safe from the vengeance of their victim's family (Exodus 21:13-14). These cities were Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth-Gilead, and Golan.

The concept of a city of refuge is also found in other cultures and religions. For example, in ancient Greece, there were temples where criminals could seek asylum. In the Islamic tradition, there are certain mosques and other holy places where people can seek refuge from persecution.

In modern times, the phrase "city of refuge" is sometimes used to refer to places that provide sanctuary to people fleeing violence or persecution. For example, some churches and synagogues offer shelter to homeless people or to people who are fleeing domestic violence.

Here is the full entry for "City of Refuge" from Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable:

City of Refuge. Among the Hebrews, six cities, three on each side of the Jordan, were set apart as cities of refuge, to which manslayers might flee, and be safe from the avenger of blood till their cause could be investigated. These cities were Kedesh in Galilee, Shechem in Ephraim, Hebron in Judah; Bezer on the east of Jordan, Ramoth-Gilead in Gilead, and Golan in Bashan (Numb. xxxv. 6-34; Deut. xix. 1-13; Josh. xx. 1-9).

The institution of cities of refuge was intended to prevent bloodshed and to give the manslayer a fair trial. If he was found guilty of wilful murder, he was put to death; but if he had slain his victim accidentally, he was allowed to remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Then he was free to return to his home.

The cities of refuge were also places of refuge for the poor and oppressed. Anyone who could reach one of these cities was safe from arrest or punishment.

In modern times, the phrase "city of refuge" is sometimes used to refer to any place that offers sanctuary to people who are fleeing persecution or violence.

According to Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, the word sanctuary has the following meanings:

  • A place consecrated to religious worship and service, and therefore regarded as sacred and inviolable.
  • A place of refuge or safety, especially from persecution or danger.
  • In the Roman Catholic Church, a sacred space within a church or other building, where consecrated objects are kept.

Brewer's also includes a number of phrases and expressions related to sanctuary, such as:

  • City of Refuge: A city in ancient Israel to which fugitives could flee for sanctuary from their pursuers.
  • Right of Sanctuary: The right of a person seeking refuge in a sacred place to be immune from arrest or punishment.
  • To Take Sanctuary: To seek refuge in a sacred place.

Brewer's also mentions a number of specific sanctuaries that are significant in history or culture, such as the Sanctuary of Artemis at Ephesus, the Sanctuary of Delphi, and the Sanctuary of Mecca.

Overall, Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable provides a comprehensive and informative overview of the word "sanctuary" and its various meanings and associations.

Here are some additional thoughts on the theological and spiritual significance of sanctuary:

  • Sanctuaries can be places where people can experience the presence of God and receive his blessing and protection.
  • Sanctuaries can also be places where people can find healing and renewal, both physically and spiritually.
  • Sanctuaries can also be places where people can come together to worship God and to build community.

In the Bible, there are many examples of sanctuaries, both physical and spiritual. The Tabernacle and the Temple were physical sanctuaries where the people of Israel could come to worship God and to offer sacrifices. But the Bible also talks about the human heart as a sanctuary for God. When we invite Jesus into our hearts, he makes his home there.

Sanctuaries are important because they provide us with a place where we can experience the presence of God and to receive his blessing and protection. They are also places where we can find healing and renewal, and where we can come together to worship God and to build community.

The term "sanctuary" has a rich and complex meaning in the Bible, both concretely and metaphorically.

In the Old Testament, the sanctuary was the most sacred place in the tabernacle and later in the temple in Jerusalem. It was the place where God dwelt among his people and where they could come to worship him and seek his presence. The sanctuary was divided into three parts: the outer court, the holy place, and the most holy place. Only the priests were allowed to enter the sanctuary, and only the high priest was allowed to enter the most holy place on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the sins of the people.

The sanctuary was a place of refuge and protection for the Israelites. It was also a place where they could come to experience God's presence and receive his forgiveness.

In the New Testament, the term "sanctuary" is used metaphorically to refer to the body of Christ, the church. The church is the place where God dwells among his people today through the Holy Spirit. It is also a place where we can come to worship God, experience his presence, and receive his forgiveness.

Here are some of the biblical passages that speak about the sanctuary:

  • Exodus 25:8: "Have them make a sanctuary for me, so that I may dwell among them."
  • Leviticus 16:33: "He shall make atonement for the holy sanctuary, the tent of meeting and the altar."
  • Hebrews 9:24: "Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear before God on our behalf."
  • 1 Corinthians 6:19: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own."

The biblical concept of the sanctuary is a reminder that God is holy and that we must approach him with reverence and respect. It is also a reminder that God is present among his people and that we can come to him for refuge, protection, and forgiveness.

 

The word "sanctuary" has a long and rich history, both in religious and secular contexts. It is derived from the Latin word "sanctuarium," which means "holy place."

In its original meaning, a sanctuary is a sacred place, such as a shrine or temple. This is the meaning of the word in the Bible, where it is used to refer to the holiest part of the Tabernacle and the Temple.

Over time, the meaning of the word "sanctuary" has broadened to include any place of refuge or safety. This can be a physical place, such as a church or a wildlife sanctuary, or it can be a more abstract concept, such as the sanctuary of the mind or the sanctuary of nature.

In religious contexts, a sanctuary is a place where people can go to worship, pray, and experience the presence of God. It is also a place where people can find refuge from the troubles of the world.

In secular contexts, a sanctuary is a place where people can go to find safety, peace, and healing. It can be a place where people can escape from violence or persecution, or it can simply be a place where people can go to relax and de-stress.

Here are some examples of different types of sanctuaries:

  • Religious sanctuaries: churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, shrines, etc.
  • Natural sanctuaries: national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, etc.
  • Humanitarian sanctuaries: homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, refugee camps, etc.
  • Personal sanctuaries: homes, gardens, favorite places in nature, etc.

Sanctuaries play an important role in society. They provide places where people can go to find safety, peace, and healing. They also help to protect our natural world and our cultural heritage.

Here is some research on the importance of sanctuaries:

  • A study by the American Psychological Association found that people who spend time in nature have lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.
  • A study by the University of California, Berkeley found that people who attend religious services are more likely to report feeling happy and satisfied with their lives.
  • A study by the National Coalition for the Homeless found that homeless shelters provide essential services to people who are experiencing homelessness, such as food, shelter, and healthcare.

Sanctuaries are important places for people of all backgrounds. They provide places where people can go to find safety, peace, and healing. They also help to make our world a better place.

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