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.

The Command to Establish Cities of Refuge

1
ADONAI said to Y'hoshua, ​
2
"Tell the people of Isra'el, 'Select the cities of refuge about which I spoke to you through Moshe; ​
3
so that anyone who kills someone by mistake and unknowingly may escape there; they will serve as refuges for you from the next-of-kin avenger. ​
4
He is to flee to one of those cities, stand at the entrance to the city gate and state his cause to the city leaders. Then they will bring him into the city with them and give him a place, so that he may live among them. ​
5
If the next-of-kin avenger pursues him, they are not to hand over the killer to him; because he struck his fellow community member unknowingly and had not hated him previously. ​
6
So he will live in that city until he stands trial before the community, until the death of the cohen hagadol who is in office at the time. When that time comes, the killer may return to his own city and his own house, to the city from which he fled.'" ​

Designation of the Six Cities

7
So they set apart Kedesh in the Galil, in the hills of Naftali; Sh'khem in the hills of Efrayim; and Kiryat-Arba (that is, Hevron) in the hills of Y'hudah. ​
8
Beyond the Yarden east of Yericho they selected Betzer in the desert, on the plateau, out of the tribe of Re'uven; Ramot in Gil'ad out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of M'nasheh. ​
9
These were the cities selected for all the people of Isra'el and for the foreigner living among them, so that anyone who kills any person by mistake could flee there and not die at the hand of the next-of-kin avenger prior to standing trial before the community. ​

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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