Joshua 20:2

2 “Now tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed Moses.

Joshua 20:2 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 20:2

Speak to the children of Israel, saying
Whom the affair concerned the Lord spake to Joshua about, they having now the whole land divided among them:

appoint out for you cities of refuge;
of the name, nature, use, and number of these cities, (See Gill on Numbers 35:6);

whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
( Numbers 35:1-34 ) ( Deuteronomy 19:1-21 ) .

Joshua 20:2 In-Context

1 The LORD said to Joshua,

2 “Now tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed Moses.

3 Anyone who kills another person accidentally and unintentionally can run to one of these cities; they will be places of refuge from relatives seeking revenge for the person who was killed.

4 “Upon reaching one of these cities, the one who caused the death will appear before the elders at the city gate and present his case. They must allow him to enter the city and give him a place to live among them.

5 If the relatives of the victim come to avenge the killing, the leaders must not release the slayer to them, for he killed the other person unintentionally and without previous hostility.