Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Joshua 20
Joshua 20:3that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood.
This verse establishes the core purpose of the cities: to provide a safe place for someone who killed unintentionally, protecting them from the 'avenger of blood.'Joshua 20:6And he shall remain in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, until the death of him who is high priest at the time. Then the manslayer may return to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled.
This outlines the legal process, stating that the person must remain in the city until a trial and, if found innocent of murder, until the death of the current high priest.Joshua 20:9These were the cities designated for all the people of Israel and for the stranger sojourning among them, that anyone who killed a person without intent could flee there, so that he might not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, till he stood before the congregation.
This verse powerfully declares that God's system of justice and mercy is for all people in the land, including native Israelites, showing His impartial care.
Historical & Cultural Context
From Conquest to Community
After years of military campaigns, the land of Canaan has been largely subdued and divided among the tribes of Israel (Joshua 13-19). The nation is now transitioning from conquest to settlement. With the land distributed, God turns Joshua's attention to establishing the civil and legal structures necessary for a just society. This chapter is the direct fulfillment of a command God had given to Moses years earlier, showing continuity and faithfulness to His word.
Establishing Sanctuaries of Justice
The instruction from God is a clear command to be implemented immediately, not merely a suggestion. Joshua and the leaders of Israel act in obedience, formally setting apart six specific cities. These locations were not chosen randomly. They were strategically placed throughout the land, three on each side of the Jordan River, ensuring that a place of refuge was always within a day's journey for anyone who needed it.
A Blueprint for Merciful Justice
In Joshua 20, God speaks directly to Joshua, initiating the final steps for creating a just society in the Promised Land. The scene is one of organization and law-giving, moving from the chaos of war to the order of a settled nation. The chapter lays out a divine legal system designed to protect the vulnerable and prevent cycles of revenge.
The Command to Appoint Refuge (Joshua 20:1-3)
1 Then the Lord said to Joshua,
2 “Say to the people of Israel, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,
3 that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood.
Commentary:
God commands Joshua to establish safe cities for people who kill someone accidentally.
The Legal Process for Asylum (Joshua 20:4-6)
4 He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and explain his case to the elders of that city. Then they shall take him into the city and give him a place, and he shall remain with them.
5 And if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not give up the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unknowingly, and did not hate him in the past.
6 And he shall remain in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, until the death of him who is high priest at the time. Then the manslayer may return to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled.
Commentary:
A person seeking refuge must explain their case to the city elders and, if accepted, must stay there until the high priest dies.
The Designated Cities (Joshua 20:7-8)
7 So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, and 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 appointed Bezer in the wilderness on the tableland, from the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead, from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan, from the tribe of Manasseh.
Commentary:
Six cities are officially named and set apart as places of refuge, spread strategically throughout Israel.
A Provision for All People (Joshua 20:9)
9 These were the cities designated for all the people of Israel and for the stranger sojourning among them, that anyone who killed a person without intent could flee there, so that he might not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, till he stood before the congregation.
Commentary:
The law of refuge is declared to be for both Israelites and any foreigner living among them.
God's Character in a Legal Code
Justice Tempered with Mercy
This chapter shows that God's justice is not blind or harsh. By distinguishing between intent and accident, He provides a way to protect the innocent from unjust punishment. The system prevents personal revenge from spiraling into endless blood feuds, establishing a community where mercy can interrupt cycles of violence.
The Sanctity of Human Life
The very need for these cities underscores how seriously God views the shedding of blood, even when accidental. A life has been lost, and there are consequences. However, the system also protects the life of the one who caused the death, affirming that their life has value and they deserve due process rather than vigilante justice.
God as the Ultimate Refuge
The physical cities of refuge serve as a powerful picture of a deeper spiritual truth. They point to God Himself as our ultimate safe place. Just as a person could flee to these cities for safety from condemnation, believers can run to God for refuge from the consequences of sin and find protection, grace, and a new beginning.
Finding Refuge in Daily Life
Joshua 20 teaches that true justice is thoughtful and considers intent, which is a principle that remains vital. It challenges you to look beyond an offense and consider the circumstances, promoting fairness over simple retribution. This chapter encourages a justice system that aims to restore and protect, rather than merely punish.
You can create refuge by being a person who listens before judging and offers grace to those who have made mistakes. As shown in Joshua 20:4, providing a safe space for someone to 'explain his case' can be a powerful act of mercy. This could mean being a supportive friend, fostering a forgiving family environment, or advocating for fairness in your community.
This chapter provides a physical picture of our spiritual reality. When you feel overwhelmed by your mistakes or failures, you have a refuge in God. Just as the manslayer was safe inside the city walls (Joshua 20:5), you are secure in His grace, protected from condemnation and given a place to remain until you are fully restored.
God's Design for Justice and Mercy
Joshua 20 reveals that God's plan for His people involves more than territory. It involves building a just and compassionate society. By establishing cities of refuge, God provided a practical system to stop cycles of revenge and protect those who had erred without malice. The message is that our Creator is a God of order and detail, who cares deeply about fairness, mercy, and the preservation of life for all people under His care.
What This Means for Us Today
The cities of refuge were a physical invitation to find safety and justice within the boundaries of God's law. This ancient system invites us to see God not as an avenger, but as our ultimate safe haven. It calls us to become people who create communities of grace, where mistakes are met with a chance for restoration rather than condemnation.
- Where in my life do I need to run to God for refuge today?
- Who in my community needs me to be a source of safety and grace, rather than judgment?
- How can I better practice distinguishing between someone's mistake and their intent?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This chapter concludes the allotment of tribal territories, setting the stage for establishing national institutions like the cities of refuge.
This chapter details the cities given to the Levites, which include the six cities of refuge, integrating this legal function into the religious life of Israel.
Connections Across Scripture
This is the original and most detailed instruction from God to Moses about the laws and purpose of the cities of refuge.
Moses reiterates the command to establish these cities just before the Israelites enter the Promised Land, emphasizing their importance.
The New Testament uses this imagery, describing how believers have 'fled for refuge' to the hope offered in Jesus, our great High Priest.
Historical and Cultural Context
Understanding the common practice of blood vengeance in surrounding cultures helps highlight how revolutionary Israel's system of due process was.
Discussion Questions
- The release of the manslayer was tied to the death of the high priest. What might this unique condition symbolize about atonement, forgiveness, and new beginnings?
- Joshua 20:9 makes it clear that these laws applied equally to Israelites and foreigners. Why was this inclusivity so important for the kind of nation God was building?
- In a world of instant judgment, especially online, how can the principles of the cities of refuge (a fair hearing, protection, and distinguishing intent) guide our interactions with others?
Glossary
places
Kedesh
A city of refuge in the northern territory of Naphtali, west of the Jordan River.
Shechem
A centrally located city of refuge in the hill country of Ephraim, west of the Jordan.
Hebron
A city of refuge in the southern territory of Judah, also known as Kiriath-arba.
Bezer
A city of refuge east of the Jordan River, located in the territory of Reuben.
Ramoth in Gilead
A city of refuge east of the Jordan River, located in the territory of Gad.
Golan in Bashan
A city of refuge east of the Jordan River, located in the territory of Manasseh.
figures
theological concepts
City of Refuge
One of six cities designated as a safe place for a person who unintentionally killed someone to flee to for protection and a fair trial.
Avenger of Blood
A male relative of a murder victim who, by custom, had the right to seek retribution against the killer.
High Priest
The chief religious official in Israel, whose death signaled a time of release for those living in cities of refuge.