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

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Then the LORD said to Joshua, ​
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“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, ​
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so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. ​
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When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them. ​
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Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the manslayer into his hand, because that man killed his neighbor accidentally without prior malice. ​
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He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the manslayer may return to his own home in the city from which he fled.” ​

Designation of the Six Cities

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So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. ​
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And beyond the Jordan, east of Jericho, they designated Bezer on the wilderness plateau from the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh. ​
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These are the cities appointed for all the Israelites and foreigners among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly. ​

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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