Joshua 20 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 The Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying,
2 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
3 That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
4 And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.
5 And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.
6 And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.
Joshua 20 (Old Testament)
7 And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.
8 And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.
9 These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| מָנוֹס — manos | Verse 2 — “Appoint… cities of refuge…” | “Refuge,” place of escape. | Manos (“refuge”) denotes protected asylum (“refuge”). It provides mercy within the justice system. The term reveals God’s compassion for the vulnerable. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
| נָס — nas | Verse 3 — “…that the slayer may flee there…” | “To flee,” escape. | Nas (“to flee”) expresses urgent escape (“flee”). It highlights immediacy in preserving life. The word depicts life-or-death necessity of refuge. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| רָצַח — ratsach | Verse 3 — “…unintentionally kills any person…” | “To kill,” murder or manslaughter. | Ratsach (“to kill”) distinguishes accidental death from murder (“kill/manslaughter”). It brings legal nuance to homicide cases. The term supports judicial fairness. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary |
| שָׁפַךְ — shafach | Verse 3 — “…blood avenger…” | “To pour out,” shed blood. | Shafach (“to pour out”) signifies violent bloodshed (“shed blood”). It frames vengeance as part of ancient justice. The term heightens tension between mercy and retribution. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| גָּאַל — ga’al | Verse 3 — “the avenger of blood…” | “Redeem,” act as kinsman-avenger. | Ga’al (“to redeem/avenge”) designates family duty (“kinsman-avenger”). It combines protection with justice. The word highlights the covenant role of family. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| עָמַד — amad | Verse 4 — “…stand at the entrance of the gate…” | “To stand,” present oneself. | Amad (“to stand”) marks legal presentation (“stand”). It initiates formal inquiry. The term reflects judicial protocol. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| דִּבֶּר — dibber | Verse 4 — “…explain his case…” | “To speak,” declare. | Dibber (“to speak”) denotes legal testimony (“declare/speak”). It emphasizes clarity and truthfulness. The term grounds refuge in factual verification. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
| הִסְגִּיר — hisgir | Verse 5 — “…they shall not deliver him…” | “To deliver up,” hand over. | Hisgir (“to hand over”) forbids surrender to vengeance (“deliver up”). It protects those legally innocent of murder. The word underscores God’s compassionate justice. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| שָׁפַט — shafat | Verse 6 — “…until he stands before the congregation for judgment.” | “To judge,” govern legally. | Shafat (“to judge”) signifies communal legal process (“judge”). It reinforces fairness in homicide cases. The term upholds covenant law. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary |
| כֹּהֵן — kohen | Verse 6 — “…until the death of the high priest…” | “Priest,” official mediator. | Kohen (“priest”) ties refuge to priestly office (“priest”). It elevates the moral and spiritual dimensions of justice. The term links life, holiness, and communal restoration. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar | Work | View on Chapter 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Franz Delitzsch (University of Leipzig, Germany, 1813–1890) | Biblischer Commentar über das Alte Testament | The cities of refuge underscore justice, mercy, and preservation of life within the covenant community. |
| Charles Foster Kent (Yale University, United States, 1867–1925) | The Bible and Modern Scholarship | Kent interprets the cities as both legal and moral safeguards for society. |
| William Rainey Harper (University of Chicago, United States, 1856–1906) | Hebrew Bible Studies | The chapter emphasizes protection for the innocent and orderly legal administration. |
| Johann Peter Lange (University of Bonn, Germany, 1802–1884) | Commentarius in Sacram Scripturam | Refuge cities illustrate God’s concern for justice and human life. |
| Hermann Schultz (University of Göttingen, Germany, 1841–1903) | Die Bücher Mose | Schultz notes the chapter combines historical record with ethical instruction. |
Chapter 20
Verse: "The Lord said to Joshua, 'Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses.'" (Joshua 20:2)
Lesson: God provided a way for those who unintentionally caused harm to find refuge and safety. This demonstrates His compassion and mercy, even in difficult situations.
Conclusion: We can trust in God's character of compassion and mercy, even in difficult situations. He is always willing to provide a way of escape and protection for us.
Prayer Points: Thank God for His compassion and mercy. Ask Him to provide a way of escape and protection for us when we face difficult situations.
