Joshua 20

1 And the Lord spake to Joshua, and said,

2 Speak thou to the sons of Israel, and say thou to them, Separate ye (out) the cities of fugitives, either of men exiled for (the) unwillful shedding of blood, of which cities I spake to you by the hand of Moses, (Speak thou to the Israelites, and say thou to them, Ordain ye the cities of refuge for those who be exiled for the unwillful, or the unintentional, shedding of blood, of which cities I spoke to you by Moses,)

3 that whoever slayeth unwittingly a man, flee to those cities; that when he hath fled to one of those cities, he may escape the ire of the neighbour, which is venger of blood. (so that whoever unwittingly killeth someone, can flee to those cities; so that when he hath fled to one of these cities, he can escape the anger of the neighbour, who avengeth the blood.)

4 And he shall stand before the gates of the city, and he shall speak to the elder men of that city those things that shall prove him(self) innocent; and so they shall receive him, and they shall give to him a place to dwell in.

5 And when the venger of blood pursueth him, they of that city shall not betake him into the hands of the venger; for unwittingly he killed his neighbour (for he killed his neighbour unwittingly, or unintentionally), and he is not proved (to be) his enemy before the second day either the third day.

6 And he shall dwell in that city, till he stand before the doom, and yield, or show, the cause of his deed. And he that killed a man, dwell in that city, till the great priest die, which is in that time; then the manslayer shall turn again, and he shall enter into his city, and house, from which he fled. (And he shall remain in that city, until he stand before the judge, and show the reason for his deed. And he who killed someone, shall stay in that city, until the High Priest die, who is in office at that time; then the man-killer shall return, and he shall enter into his city, and into his house, from which he fled.)

7 And they ordained Kedesh in Galilee, of the hill of Naphtali, and Shechem in the hill of Ephraim, and Kiriatharba, that is Hebron, in the hill of Judah. (And they ordained Kedesh in Galilee, in the hill country of Naphtali, and Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriatharba, that is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah.)

8 And beyond (the) Jordan, against the east coast of Jericho (And on the eastern side of the Jordan River, east of Jericho), they ordained Bezer, that is set in the field wilderness of the lineage of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead, of the lineage of Gad, and Golan in Bashan, of the lineage of Manasseh.

9 These cites were ordained to all the sons of Israel, and to the comelings that dwell among them, that he that killed unwittingly a man, should flee to those cities; and he should not die in the hand of the neighbour, coveting to venge the blood shed out, till he stood before the people, to declare his cause. (These cities were ordained to all the Israelites, and to the newcomers who live among them, so that he who unwittingly killed someone, could flee to them; and so that he would not die at the hand of the neighbour, coveting to avenge the blood shed out, until he first had stood before the people to declare his case.)

Joshua 20 Commentary

Chapter 20

The law concerning the cities of refuge. (1-6) The cities appointed as refuges. (7-9)

Verses 1-6 When the Israelites were settled in their promised inheritance, they were reminded to set apart the cities of refuge, whose use and typical meaning have been explained, Nu 35; De 19. God's spiritual Israel have, and shall have in Christ and heaven, not only rest to repose in, but refuge to secure themselves in. These cities were designed to typify the relief which the gospel provides for penitent sinners, and their protection from the curse of the law and the wrath of God, in our Lord Jesus, to whom believers flee for refuge, ( Hebrews 6:18 ) .

Verses 7-9 These cities, as those also on the other side Jordan, stood so that a man might in half a day reach one of them from any part of the country. God is ever a Refuge at hand. They were all Levites' cities. It was kindness to the poor fugitive, that when he might not go up to the house of the Lord, yet he had the servants of God with him, to instruct him, and pray for him, and to help to make up the want of public ordinances. Some observe a significance in the names of these cities with application to Christ our Refuge. Kedesh signifies holy, and our Refuge is the holy Jesus. Shechem, a shoulder, and the government is upon his shoulder. Hebron, fellowship, and believers are called into the fellowship of Christ Jesus our Lord. Bezer, a fortification, for he is a strong hold to all those that trust in him. Ramoth, high or exalted, for Him hath God exalted with his own right hand. Golan, joy or exultation, for in Him all the saints are justified, and shall glory.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 20

The contents of this chapter are the renewal of the order to appoint cities of refuge for such that commit manslaughter ignorantly, to flee unto, and have shelter in from the avenger of blood, Jos 20:1-6; and the execution of this order, Jos 20:7-9.