Joshua 20

Chapter Overview

What happens in Joshua 20

God commands Joshua to set up six cities of refuge where a person who accidentally kills someone can flee for safety. Three cities are on each side of the Jordan River.

Scripture

The Purpose of Cities of Refuge

Study note

In the ancient world, if someone was killed, the victim's closest male relative (called the 'avenger of blood') had the duty to hunt down and kill the person responsible. But God recognized that not all killings were murder. Some were accidents. To protect people who killed someone by accident and without hatred, God commanded Moses to establish cities of refuge. A person who accidentally caused a death could run to one of these cities and be safe from the avenger. The accused person would stand trial before the community. If the killing was truly accidental, the person could stay safely in the city of refuge until the current high priest died, after which they could return home.

1 The Lord spoke to Joshua and said, The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,

2 "Tell the Israelites to pick out the cities of refuge that I instructed you about through Moses." 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 "These are places where a person who accidentally kills someone can run for safety. They will be protected there from anyone trying to take revenge." 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 "When someone runs to one of these cities, they must stop at the city gate and explain what happened to the city leaders. The leaders must then let the person in and give them a place to live." 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 "If the avenger comes chasing after them, the leaders must not hand the person over. They must give protection, because the killing was an accident -- there was no hatred or plan behind it." 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 "The person must stay in that city until they go through a public trial and until the current high priest dies. After that, they are free to return to the city and home they originally came from." 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.

The Six Cities Named

Study note

Three cities were designated on the west side of the Jordan: Kedesh in Galilee (in Naphtali's territory in the north), Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim (in the center), and Hebron in the hill country of Judah (in the south). Three more were on the east side: Bezer in the wilderness plateau (in Reuben's territory), Ramoth in Gilead (in Gad's territory), and Golan in Bashan (in Manasseh's territory). They were spread throughout the land so that anyone could reach a city of refuge quickly. These cities were also open to foreigners living among the Israelites.

7 So the Israelites set apart these cities. Kedesh in Galilee, in the hills of Naphtali. Shechem in the hills of Ephraim. Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hills of Judah. And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath-arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.

8 East of the Jordan near Jericho, they chose three more cities. Bezer on the desert plain was from Reuben's land. Ramoth in Gilead was from Gad's land. Golan in Bashan was from Manasseh's land. 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 set apart for any Israelite or foreigner living among them. Anyone who killed another person by accident could run to one of these cities. They would be safe there from the one who wanted to get revenge, until they could stand trial. 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.

Key Themes

Themes in Joshua 20

God's justice distinguishing between intentional and accidental harmMercy and refuge for the vulnerableCities of refuge as a picture of divine protectionThe role of the high priest in providing freedom

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

Joshua 20:1-6 Hebrews 6:18-20

The cities of refuge point to Jesus as the ultimate refuge for those who flee to Him for safety. The accused person was freed when the high priest died; believers are freed because Christ, our High Priest, died and rose again.

Apply This Today

Living Joshua 20

The cities of refuge demonstrate that God cares deeply about justice and mercy. He provides safe places for those who need protection. In our own lives, we are called to be places of refuge for others, offering grace rather than judgment to those who are hurting or have made honest mistakes.

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