Joshua 20
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Joshua is commanded to appoint cities of refuge, Jos 20:1, Jos 20:2. The purpose of their institution, Jos 20:3-6. Three cities are appointed in the promised land, Jos 20:7; and three on the east side of Jordan, Jos 20:8, Jos 20:9.
Open source ↗THE LORD COMMANDS THE CITIES OF REFUGE. (Jos 20:1-6) The Lord spake unto Joshua . . . Appoint out for you cities of refuge--(See Num. 35:9-28; Deu 19:1-13). The command here recorded was given on their going to occupy their allotted settlements. The sanctuaries were not temples or altars, as in other countries, but inhabited cities; and the design was not to screen criminals, but only to afford the homicide protection from the vengeance of the deceased's relatives until it should have been ascertained whether the death had resulted from accident and momentary passion, or from premeditated malice. The institution of the cities of refuge, together with the rules prescribed for the guidance of those who sought an asylum within their walls, was an important provision, tending to secure the ends of justice as well as of mercy.
Open source ↗The Lord also spake unto Joshua,.... Out of the tabernacle, at the door of which he with the high priest and princes were; the Lord had spoken to him before concerning dividing the land among the tribes, Jos 13:1; and this being done he speaks to him again: saying: as follows.
Open source ↗After the distribution of the land by lot among the tribes of Israel, six towns were set apart, in accordance with the Mosaic instructions in Num 35, as places of refuge for unintentional manslayers. Before describing the appointment and setting apart of these towns, the writer repeats in Jos 20:1-6 the main points of the Mosaic law contained in Num 35:9-29 and Deu 19:1-13, with reference to the reception of the manslayers into these towns. לכם תּנוּ, "give to you," i.e., appoint for yourselves, "cities of refuge," etc. In Jos 20:6, the two regulations, "until he stand before the congregation for judgment," and "until the death of the high priest," are to be understood, in accordance with the clear explanation given in Num 35:24-25, as meaning that the manslayer was to live in the town till the congregation had pronounced judgment upon the matter, and either given him up to the avenger of blood as a wilful murderer, or taken him back to the city of refuge as an unintentional manslayer, in which case he was to remain there till the death of the existing high priest. For further particulars, see at Num 35.
Open source ↗Many things were by the law of Moses ordered to be done when they came to Canaan and this among the rest, the appointing of sanctuaries for the protecting of those that were guilty of casual murder, which was a privilege to all Israel, since no man could be sure but some time or other it might be his own case; and it was for the interest of the land that the blood of an innocent person, whose hand only was guilty but not his heart, should not be shed, no, not by the avenger of blood: of this law, which was so much for their advantage, God here reminds them, that they might remind themselves of the other laws he had given them, which concerned his honour. 1. Orders are given for the appointing of these cities (Jos 20:2), and very seasonably at this time when the land was newly surveyed, and so they were the better able to divide the coasts of it into three parts, as God had directed them, in order to the more convenient situation of these cities of refuge, Deu 19:3. Yet it is probable that it was not done till after the Levites had their portion assigned them in the next chapter, because the cities of refuge were all to be Levites' cities. As soon as ever God had given them cities of rest, he bade them appoint cities of refuge, to which none of them knew but they might be glad to escape. Thus God provided, not only for their ease at all times, but for their safety in times of danger, and such times we must expect and prepare for in this world. And it intimates what God's spiritual Israel have and shall have, in Christ and heaven, not only rest to repose themselves in, but refuge to secure themselves in. And we cannot think these cities of refuge would have been so often and so much spoken of in the law of Moses, and have had so much care taken about them (when the intent…
Open source ↗20:1–21:45 Before the land was fully allotted, Joshua needed to establish six cities of refuge and assign cities for the Levites to live in. 20:1-6 These verses contain a review of the law concerning cities of refuge (see also Num 35:6-34).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… מִקְלָט (miqlâṭ, H4733) — an asylum (as a receptacle) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
Open source ↗רָצַח (râtsach, H7523) — properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. kill (a human being), especially to murder נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… שְׁגָגָה (shᵉgâgâh, H7684) — a mistake or inadvertent transgression דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge נוּס (nûwç, H5127) — to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver) מִקְלָט (miqlâṭ, H4733) — an asylum (as a receptacle) גָּאַל (gâʼal, H1350) — to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow,… דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice…
Open source ↗נוּס (nûwç, H5127) — to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to…
Open source ↗גָּאַל (gâʼal, H1350) — to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow,… דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… סָגַר (çâgar, H5462) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender רָצַח (râtsach, H7523) — properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. kill (a human being), especially to murder יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) בְּלִי (bᵉlîy, H1097) — properly, failure, i.e. nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not… דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) תְּמוֹל (tᵉmôwl, H8543) — properly, ago, i.e. a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before… שִׁלְשׁוֹם (shilshôwm, H8032) — trebly, i.e. (in time) day before yesterday
Open source ↗יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… עֵדָה (ʻêdâh, H5712) — a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd) מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… אֲשֶׁר (ʼăsher, H834) — who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because,… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… רָצַח (râtsach, H7523) — properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. kill (a human being), especially to murder שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) קֶדֶשׁ (Qedesh, H6943) — Kedesh, the name of four places in Palestine גָּלִיל (Gâlîyl, H1551) — Galil (as a special circuit) in the North of Palestine הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) נַפְתָּלִי (Naphtâlîy, H5321) — Naphtali, a son of Jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory שְׁכֶם (Shᵉkem, H7927) — Shekem, a place in Palestine אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע (Qiryath ʼArbaʻ, H7153) — Kirjath-Arba or Kirjath-ha-Arba, a place in Palestine חֶבְרוֹן (Chebrôwn, H2275) — Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the…
Open source ↗עֵבֶר (ʻêber, H5676) — properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine יְרִיחוֹ (Yᵉrîychôw, H3405) — Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine מִזְרָח (mizrâch, H4217) — sunrise, i.e. the east נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) בֶּצֶר (Betser, H1221) — Betser, a place in Palestine; also an Israelite מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… מִישׁוֹר (mîyshôwr, H4334) — a level, i.e. a plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a proper name of certain… מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh, H4294) — a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising… רְאוּבֵן (Rᵉʼûwbên, H7205) — Reuben, a son of Jacob רָאמוֹת (Râʼmôwth, H7216) — Ramoth, the name of two places in Palestine גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites גָּד (Gâd, H1410) — Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet גּוֹלָן (Gôwlân, H1474) — Golan, a place east of the Jordan
Open source ↗עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… מוּעָדָה (mûwʻâdâh, H4152) — an appointed place, i.e. asylum בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity גֵּר (gêr, H1616) — properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… שְׁגָגָה (shᵉgâgâh, H7684) — a mistake or inadvertent transgression נוּס (nûwç, H5127) — to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), גָּאַל (gâʼal, H1350) — to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow,…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And the LORD said to Joshua, “Behold, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor.
“Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?”
But the LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why have you fallen on your face?