Joshua 20

King James Version

Full text for Joshua Chapter 20

1¶ The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,

2Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:

3That the slayer that killeth [any] person unawares [and] unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

4And 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.

5And 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.

6And 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.

7¶ And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.

8And 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.

9These 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

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.

Medium Summary

Joshua 20 details the divine command for the establishment of cities of refuge across the land of Israel. These special cities were intended to offer asylum to anyone who had killed a person unawares and without prior malice. Upon reaching the city gate, the slayer was to declare their cause to the elders, who would then grant them entry and protection from the avenger of blood. The protection endured until the slayer could stand before the congregation for judgment, or until the death of the high priest of that era. After the high priest's death, the slayer was permitted to return to their own city and home. Six specific cities were appointed for this purpose, serving both Israelites and sojourning strangers.

Long Summary

In Joshua chapter 20, the LORD directly instructed Joshua to appoint cities of refuge, fulfilling the command previously given through Moses. The primary purpose of these cities was to serve as a sanctuary for any person who had killed another unintentionally, without forethought or hatred. When such a slayer fled to one of these cities, they were required to present their case at the city gate before the elders. If their claim of unwitting homicide was validated, the elders were to receive them into the city and provide a dwelling place, ensuring protection from the avenger of blood. The slayer was not to be delivered into the avenger's hand, as the act was without malice. This asylum was to last until the slayer stood before the congregation for a formal judgment, or, crucially, until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Upon the high priest's death, the slayer was free to return to their original city and home. Six specific cities were designated: Kedesh in Galilee, Shechem in Mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba (Hebron) in the mountain of Judah on the west side of Jordan; and Bezer in the wilderness, Ramoth in Gilead, and Golan in Bashan on the east side of Jordan. These cities were appointed for all the children of Israel and for any stranger dwelling among them, ensuring equitable access to refuge for all who killed unawares.

Core Concepts

  • Cities of RefugeThese were six specific cities designated by divine command to serve as places of asylum. Their purpose was to provide a safe haven for individuals who had accidentally or unintentionally caused the death of another person.
  • Unwitting SlayerThis term refers to a person who killed another without intent, malice, or prior hatred. The cities of refuge were specifically established to protect such individuals from immediate retribution.
  • Avenger of BloodThis was a close relative of the deceased who had the right and duty to pursue and kill the person responsible for their kinsman's death. The cities of refuge provided protection from this avenger.
  • High Priest's DeathThe death of the current high priest served as a significant legal marker. It was the specific event that allowed an unwitting slayer, who had fled to a city of refuge, to return to their own home and city without fear of the avenger of blood.
  • Judicial ProcessBefore full release, the slayer was required to stand before the congregation for judgment. This indicates a formal review of their case to confirm the unintentional nature of the killing and ensure justice.
  • Inclusivity of RefugeThe provision of cities of refuge extended not only to the children of Israel but also to any stranger or sojourner dwelling among them. This ensured that the protection was available to all inhabitants, regardless of their native origin.