Joshua 20:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall dwell {H3427} in that city {H5892}, until he stand {H5975} before {H6440} the congregation {H5712} for judgment {H4941}, and until the death {H4194} of the high {H1419} priest {H3548} that {H834} shall be in those days {H3117}: then shall the slayer {H7523} return {H7725}, and come {H935} unto his own city {H5892}, and unto his own house {H1004}, unto the city {H5892} from whence he fled {H5127}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.'"

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 20:6 details the specific conditions for an unintentional slayer residing in a City of Refuge, stipulating their stay until a fair trial before the congregation and, crucially, until the death of the reigning high priest. This divine provision underscores God's meticulous balance of justice and mercy within Israelite society, offering sanctuary to those who caused accidental death while maintaining the sanctity of human life and providing a clear pathway for eventual restoration to their homes and communities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 20:6 is situated within the broader context of the allocation of the Promised Land to the Israelite tribes (Joshua 13-19) and the subsequent establishment of key societal structures and laws. Chapter 20 specifically addresses the implementation of the Cities of Refuge, a divine command first given to Moses in [Numbers 35](/numbers/35 "Numbers 35 - Cities of Refuge and Laws for Homicide") and reiterated in [Deuteronomy 19](/deuteronomy/19 "Deuteronomy 19 - Laws for Cities of Refuge and Witnesses"). This passage immediately follows the designation of the six cities (Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth-Gilead, and Golan) and precedes the detailed account of the Levites receiving their own cities in Joshua 21. The placement of this law highlights its foundational importance for maintaining order and justice in the newly settled land, ensuring that the distribution of territory was accompanied by the establishment of righteous governance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of Cities of Refuge was a unique provision within the ancient Near East, distinguishing Israelite law from surrounding cultures. In many societies, the "blood avenger" (Hebrew: *go’el haddam*) had an absolute right to avenge the death of a relative, regardless of intent. God's law, however, introduced a critical distinction between intentional murder and unintentional homicide, providing a sanctuary for the latter. This system mitigated cycles of revenge killings, which were common in tribal societies, and ensured due process. The Cities of Refuge were strategically located throughout the land, making them accessible from all regions, emphasizing God's desire for justice and mercy to be available to all Israelites. The requirement for the slayer to remain in the city until the high priest's death also speaks to the deep spiritual connection between the nation's legal framework and its priestly leadership.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Joshua and the Pentateuch. It powerfully illustrates God's character as both **just and merciful**, providing a legal framework that punishes intentional evil but offers grace for accidental wrongdoing. The **sanctity of human life** is paramount, as even unintentional death required significant consequences and a period of exile, underscoring the high value God places on human life. The **divine order and law** are demonstrated through this meticulous provision, ensuring societal stability and preventing anarchy. Furthermore, the role of the high priest in the slayer's release highlights the theme of **communal atonement and spiritual renewal**, where the death of this central spiritual figure served as a symbolic "reset" for the land and its people, allowing the unintentional slayer to return home, as seen in [Numbers 35:25](/numbers/35-25 "Numbers 35:25 - The High Priest's Death and Release").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slayer (Hebrew, _rotzeach_):** While this Hebrew term often refers to a "murderer" or "killer" in other contexts, within the specific legal framework of the Cities of Refuge, it denotes someone who has caused death unintentionally, without malice aforethought. The distinction between intentional murder and accidental homicide is crucial in biblical law, differentiating between acts deserving of capital punishment and those requiring refuge and a period of exile. This highlights God's justice in discerning intent.
* **Congregation (Hebrew, _‘ēdâ_):** This term refers to the local assembly or judicial body within the City of Refuge that would hear the slayer's case. It signifies the importance of due process and communal judgment in determining the slayer's intent and eligibility for refuge. The slayer was not automatically granted permanent asylum but had to stand before this body to prove their innocence of malicious intent.
* **High Priest (Hebrew, _hakkōhēn haggādōl_):** The high priest was the chief spiritual leader of Israel, responsible for mediating between God and the people, particularly through sacrificial atonement on the Day of Atonement. His death served as the symbolic marker for the slayer's release, signifying a communal atonement or a "reset" for the land and its inhabitants, allowing the unintentional slayer to return home without fear of retribution. This unique condition underscores the high priest's vital role in the spiritual and legal framework of Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment":** This clause establishes the initial condition for the slayer's stay in the City of Refuge. It emphasizes that the refuge was not a permanent escape from accountability but a temporary sanctuary until a proper legal hearing could determine the intent behind the killing. This ensured that only unintentional slayers received protection, while intentional murderers faced justice.
* **"and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days":** This is the pivotal condition for the slayer's release. The death of the reigning high priest served as a divinely appointed, communal "atonement" or "reset" for the land, symbolically cleansing it from the defilement of bloodshed and allowing the unintentional slayer to return to their former life. This unique provision links the individual's fate to the spiritual health and leadership of the entire nation.
* **"then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled":** This final clause describes the full restoration of the unintentional slayer. Upon the high priest's death, they were free to leave the City of Refuge and return to their ancestral land and home, signifying a complete reintegration into society without fear of the blood avenger. This demonstrates God's ultimate desire for restoration and order.

#### Literary Devices
The passage primarily employs **Legal Code** as a literary device, meticulously outlining the specific conditions and procedures for the Cities of Refuge. This detailed legal framework underscores the divine origin and authority of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing God's commitment to justice and order within the nascent Israelite society. Furthermore, the death of the High Priest functions as profound **Symbolism**. It is not merely a practical timeline but a symbolic act of communal atonement and a "reset" for the land, allowing for the restoration of the unintentional slayer. This symbolic act points to a deeper theological reality of purification and new beginnings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 20:6 profoundly illustrates God's character as both perfectly just and infinitely merciful. The establishment of the Cities of Refuge demonstrates His meticulous care for human life and His provision for those who err unintentionally, preventing unchecked vengeance. This system reflects God's desire for a society governed by righteous laws that uphold the sanctity of life while offering a pathway to reconciliation and restoration. The unique role of the high priest's death in the slayer's release also points to the broader concept of substitutionary atonement and the spiritual cleansing necessary for the land and its people.

* [Numbers 35:25](/numbers/35-25 "Numbers 35:25 - The High Priest's Death and Release")
* [Deuteronomy 19:6](/deuteronomy/19-6 "Deuteronomy 19:6 - The Avenger of Blood")
* [Psalm 9:9](/psalm/9-9 "Psalm 9:9 - The Lord as a Refuge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 20:6 offers profound insights into God's nature and timeless principles for human society. Just as God provided physical cities of refuge for those who caused unintentional harm, He provides ultimate spiritual refuge for all who turn to Him in faith. We live in a world where unintentional harm, mistakes, and sins can leave us feeling exposed, guilty, and pursued by the "avenger" of our conscience or the consequences of our actions. This passage reminds us that God has made a way for forgiveness, reconciliation, and a new beginning. It also challenges us to reflect on our own responses to those who cause us harm, whether intentional or not, calling us to temper justice with mercy and to seek pathways for restoration rather than perpetuating cycles of vengeance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of a "City of Refuge" speak to our need for spiritual refuge and forgiveness today?**
* **In what ways does God's provision for the unintentional slayer demonstrate His character of both justice and mercy?**
* **How can we, as believers, embody the principles of offering refuge and seeking reconciliation in our communities, particularly when unintentional harm occurs?**

### FAQ
**Why was the death of the high priest the specific condition for release?**

Answer: The death of the high priest as the condition for the unintentional slayer's release was deeply symbolic and theological. The high priest was the spiritual head of the nation, representing all Israel before God, and was responsible for the annual Day of Atonement, where he made expiation for the sins of the people ([Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")). His death was seen as a communal atonement, a significant event that symbolically cleansed the land from the defilement of bloodshed and marked a "reset" for the nation. It was a divine act of grace that allowed the unintentional slayer to return home without fear of retribution, signifying that the "debt" of the accidental death had been supernaturally paid or accounted for through the life and death of the nation's spiritual representative. This unique provision underscored the gravity of taking a human life, even accidentally, while simultaneously demonstrating God's sovereign mercy.

**What was the difference between an intentional murderer and an unintentional slayer in Israelite law?**

Answer: Israelite law, as detailed in passages like [Numbers 35:16-24](/numbers/35-16 "Numbers 35:16-24 - Distinguishing Murder from Homicide") and [Deuteronomy 19:4-10](/deuteronomy/19-4 "Deuteronomy 19:4-10 - Laws for Homicide"), drew a crucial distinction between intentional murder and unintentional homicide. An intentional murderer (one who killed with malice aforethought, lying in wait, or using a weapon designed to kill) was subject to the death penalty, executed by the blood avenger or the community, with no possibility of refuge. An unintentional slayer, however, was someone who caused death accidentally, without hatred or malicious intent (e.g., an axe head flying off while chopping wood). For such individuals, the Cities of Refuge provided sanctuary from the blood avenger until their case could be heard by the local congregation. If found to be unintentional, they remained in the city until the high priest's death; if found to be intentional, they were handed over for execution. This distinction highlights God's justice in discerning intent and His mercy in providing a pathway for those who caused harm without malice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 20:6, with its provision for the unintentional slayer and the symbolic release upon the high priest's death, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Cities of Refuge, designed to protect those who had shed blood unintentionally, serve as a powerful Old Testament type of the spiritual refuge found in Christ for all who are "slayers" by virtue of their sin. We, too, have caused harm, not always intentionally, but by our very nature as fallen beings, we stand condemned by a holy God. Yet, in Christ, we find an ultimate sanctuary, a place of safety and forgiveness from the just consequences of our spiritual offenses, as [Hebrews 6:18](/hebrews/6-18 "Hebrews 6:18 - Refuge in Hope") describes Him as our "strong encouragement to flee for refuge." Furthermore, the pivotal role of the high priest's death in the slayer's release powerfully foreshadows the atoning work of Jesus. The Old Testament high priest could only offer temporary, symbolic atonement, and his death provided a limited "reset." But Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest, who entered the true heavenly sanctuary once for all, not with the blood of animals, but with His own precious blood ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest") and [Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All")). His death on the cross was the ultimate, perfect, and final sacrifice, providing complete and eternal atonement for the sins of the world. Through His death, we are not merely released from a temporary exile but are fully reconciled to God, able to "return to our own city and house"—a restored relationship with our Creator and an eternal home in His presence ([Romans 5:10](/romans/5-10 "Romans 5:10 - Reconciliation through Christ's Death")). He is both our perfect Refuge and the High Priest whose death secures our everlasting freedom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 35:12

And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.

Hebrews 9:26

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Numbers 35:24

Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:

Numbers 35:25

And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.