# Joshua 20 📖: The Cities of Refuge [[📚 Explore the Bible Books]] [[-Joshua Overview]] | [[Joshua 19]] | [[Joshua 21]] > [!info] Table of Contents > [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]] > [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]] > [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]] > [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]] > [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]] > [[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]] > [[#💬 Discussion Questions]] > [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]] > [[#🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference]] > [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]] > [[#📂 Internal Notes]] ## 📜 Scripture Text (NET) (The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005) ### Israel Designates Cities of Refuge [[#Verse 01.]] The Lord instructed Joshua:  [[#Verse 02.]] “Have the Israelites select the cities of refuge that I told you about through Moses. [[#Verse 03.]] Anyone who accidentally kills someone can escape there; these cities will be a place of asylum from the avenger of blood.  [[#Verse 04.]] The one who committed manslaughter should escape to one of these cities, stand at the entrance of the city gate, and present his case to the leaders of that city. They should then bring him into the city, give him a place to stay, and let him live there.  [[#Verse 05.]] When the avenger of blood comes after him, they must not hand over to him the one who committed manslaughter, for he accidentally killed his fellow man without premeditation. [[#Verse 06.]] He must remain in that city until his case is decided by the assembly, and the high priest dies. Then the one who committed manslaughter may return home to the city from which he escaped.” [[#Verse 07.]] So they selected 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.  [[#Verse 08.]] Beyond the Jordan east of Jericho they selected Bezer in the wilderness on the plain belonging to the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan belonging to the tribe of Manasseh.  [[#Verse 09.]] These were the cities of refuge appointed for all the Israelites and for resident foreigners living among them. Anyone who accidentally killed someone could escape there and not be executed by the avenger of blood, at least until his case was reviewed by the assembly. ## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary ###### Overall. ###### Verse 01. ###### Verse 02. ###### Verse 03. ###### Verse 04. ###### Verse 05. ###### Verse 06. ###### Verse 07. ###### Verse 08. ###### Verse 09. ## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights 1. The six cities were Kedesh, Shechem, and Hebron west of the Jordan, and Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan east of the Jordan (20:7-8). 2. All six cities of refuge were also Levitical cities (Joshua 21). 3. The cities were spread across the north, center, and south of the land on both sides of the Jordan. 4. The death of the high priest set the manslayer free (20:6; Numbers 35:25, 28). 5. The avenger of blood (20:3) is the *go'el*, the family member responsible to act for a slain relative. 6. Legal cases were heard at the city gate by the elders (20:4; Ruth 4:1). 7. The protection applied to foreigners living among Israel as well (20:9). 8. The refuge was only for killing without intent or prior hatred (20:3, 5). 9. The name Golan (20:8) survives today in the Golan Heights. 10. Hebron, one of the cities of refuge, was Caleb's city and later David's first capital. ## 🧠 Chapter Summary > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter Christ is our City of Refuge. Those who fled to these cities found safety from the avenger (20:3), and we who have fled to Jesus have strong encouragement to hold on to the hope set before us (Hebrews 6:18). ## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## 💬 Discussion Questions 1. Why do you think God spread the cities across the land so they were within reach (20:7-8)? 2. The one who fled stated his case to the elders at the city gate (20:4). How does God care for both justice and mercy? 3. The one who fled was free to go home after the high priest died (20:6). How does that point to Jesus, our High Priest? ## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember - 📖 verse 3: Anyone who kills another by accident may flee to these cities for protection. - 📖 verse 4: The elders of the city take him in and give him a place to live. - 📖 verse 6: He stays until his trial and the death of the high priest, then he may return home. ## 🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference - 🔗 [[Numbers 35#Verse 09.|Numbers 35:9-15]] - The Lord commands cities of refuge. - 🔗 [[Hebrews 06#Verse 18.|Hebrews 6:18-20]] - We have fled for refuge. - 🔗 [[Deuteronomy 19#Verse 01.|Deuteronomy 19:1-7]] - The law of the cities of refuge. - 🔗 [[Psalm 46#Verse 01.|Psalm 46:1]] - God is our refuge and strength. - 🔗 [[Hebrews 07#Verse 23.|Hebrews 7:23-25]] - Jesus our permanent High Priest. ## 🙏 Devotional Reflection 📝 SOAP: [[Joshua 20 - SOAP|A Place to Run]] ## 📂 Internal Notes