Joshua20

The LORD commanded Joshua to designate cities of refuge throughout Israel, as previously instructed through Moses. These cities were established to provide a safe haven for individuals who had unintentionally killed another person, protecting them from the avenger of blood. The slayer could dwell in such a city until a proper judgment by the congregation or until the death of the reigning high priest.
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The Command to Establish Cities of Refuge

1
And Jehovah spake unto Joshua, saying, ​
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Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Assign you the cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by Moses, ​
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that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly and unawares may flee thither: and they shall be unto you for a refuge from the avenger of blood. ​
4
And he shall flee unto one of those cities, and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city, and declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city; and they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. ​
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And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver up the manslayer into his hand; because he smote his neighbor unawares, and hated him not beforetime. ​
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And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the manslayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled. ​

Designation of the Six Cities

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And they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill-country of Naphtali, and Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (the same is Hebron) in the hill-country of Judah. ​
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And beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness in 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. ​
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These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person unwittingly might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation. ​

Study Notes for Joshua 20

Verse 1

The Lord’s instruction here fulfills the legal requirements previously outlined in the Mosaic Law (Num 35; Deut 19) regarding the establishment of sanctuary for those who committed unintentional homicide.

Verse 2

These cities (*'arei miqlat*) provided a protected sanctuary, distinguishing between accidental killing (manslaughter) and premeditated murder, which received no protection.

Verse 3

The law strictly differentiates between an accidental slaying (“unawares and unwittingly”) and intentional killing, ensuring that equity and mercy were foundational elements of Israelite justice.

Verse 4

The requirement that the fugitive declare his case at the city gate confirms that the elders, serving as the local court, were responsible for determining the nature of the killing before granting refuge.

Verse 5

The *avenger of blood* (Hebrew: *go'el haddam*) was the next-of-kin legally obligated to pursue retribution. The city’s protection halted this vengeance until a formal, public judgment was rendered.

Verse 6

The death of the High Priest served as the symbolic end of the involuntary exile. This event was viewed as a national atonement, allowing the slayer to return home without fear of further retribution.

Verse 7

These three cities—Kedesh (North), Shechem (Central), and Hebron (South)—were strategically positioned west of the Jordan to ensure quick and equitable access for all tribes living in Canaan proper.

Verse 8

The three cities designated east of the Jordan (Transjordan) completed the set of six, ensuring that the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh also had nearby access to refuge, fulfilling the divine command.

Verse 9

The inclusion of 'the stranger that sojourneth among them' is a crucial clause, demonstrating the impartiality of God’s law, which extended foundational justice and protection equally to resident aliens.

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