Numbers 35:13

13 Choose six cities,

Numbers 35:13 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 35:13

And of these cities which ye shall give
Of the forty eight cities they were to give to the Levites, ( Numbers 35:7 ) ,

six cities shall ye have for refuge;
which, I think, makes it clear, that not all the forty eight cities were for refuge, only six of them.

Numbers 35:13 In-Context

11 you are to choose cities of refuge to which any of you can escape if you kill someone accidentally.

12 There you will be safe from the dead person's relative who seeks revenge. No one accused of manslaughter is to be put to death without a public trial.

13 Choose six cities,

14 three east of the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan.

15 These will serve as cities of refuge for Israelites and for foreigners who are temporary or permanent residents. Anyone who kills someone accidentally can escape to one of them.