Joshua 20:1-9 | The Way of Scripture

Joshua 20:1-9

How do the cities of refuge protect life while preserving judgment?

Berean Standard Bible

1 Then the LORD said to Joshua, 2 “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, 3 so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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.” 7 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. 8 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. 9 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.

What is the context?

The Lord commands Joshua to designate the refuge cities already required through Moses. Their purpose is protection for someone who kills unintentionally, without prior hatred, from immediate death at the hands of the avenger of blood.

The person must state the case before the city’s elders and be given a place to live. Protection does not eliminate the assembly’s judgment. The person remains under the stated conditions until the death of the serving high priest, after which return home is allowed.

Three cities are designated west of the Jordan and three east of it. The provision includes resident foreigners as well as Israelites. The account joins a hearing, protection from revenge, and a distinction between accidental killing and deliberate murder.

How is this passage commonly understood?

The USCCB notes connect the enactment with Numbers 35 and Deuteronomy 19. Wesley stresses that the protection is for unintentional killing rather than a blanket shelter for a deliberate murderer. The ancient procedure is explained here without turning it into present legal advice or authorizing private revenge.

Where does this fit in God's plan?

Hebrews 6:17–20 describes people taking refuge in the hope secured by God’s trustworthy promise, with Jesus entering on their behalf as high priest. This provides a related Christian theme of secure refuge in God. Hebrews does not explicitly identify each of Joshua’s cities with Christ or equate every detail of the ancient trial procedure with salvation.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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