Joshua 20:2 kjv
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
Joshua 20:2 nkjv
"Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,
Joshua 20:2 niv
"Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,
Joshua 20:2 esv
"Say to the people of Israel, 'Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,
Joshua 20:2 nlt
"Now tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed Moses.
Joshua 20 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 35:6 | “And among the cities which you give to the Levites, there shall be six cities of refuge...” | Specifies number of refuge cities. |
| Num 35:9-15 | “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you cross over the Jordan...’ ” | Detailed law for cities of refuge. |
| Deut 4:41-43 | “Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise...” | Moses established the first three. |
| Deut 19:1-13 | “When the Lord your God has cut off the nations...you shall separate three cities...” | Reiteration of the law for the future land. |
| Ex 21:12-14 | “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be surely put to death...God has delivered him into his hand...” | Distinguishes accidental killing from murder. |
| Lev 25:55 | “For the children of Israel are My servants; they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt.” | Highlights Israel's obligation to God's law. |
| Ps 46:1 | “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” | God as ultimate refuge. |
| Ps 91:2 | “I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” | Personal trust in God as a haven. |
| Prov 18:10 | “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” | Seeking safety in the divine name. |
| Heb 6:18 | “...that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.” | Christ as ultimate refuge for believers. |
| Isa 25:4 | “For You have been a strength to the poor, A strength to the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm...” | God's protective nature. |
| Num 35:25, 28 | “...and he shall remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest...” | Release condition foreshadows Christ's death. |
| Rom 3:25 | “...whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith...” | Christ's sacrifice as ultimate atonement/protection. |
| Col 1:20 | “...and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” | Reconciliation through Christ. |
| John 1:17 | “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” | Continuity and fulfillment of Law. |
| Mic 6:8 | “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy...” | Principle of justice and mercy in the law. |
| Rom 12:19 | “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” | Divine prerogative in justice, avoiding personal vengeance. |
| Gal 3:24 | “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” | Law points to Christ. |
| Eph 2:13 | “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” | Access to God through Christ. |
| 1 John 2:1 | “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” | Christ as advocate, offering ultimate "refuge." |
| Jer 3:23 | “Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, And from the multitude of mountains; Truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.” | God as the only true source of deliverance. |
| Ps 14:6 | “You have put to shame the counsel of the poor, But the Lord is his refuge.” | God protects the vulnerable. |
Joshua 20 verses
Joshua 20 2 Meaning
Joshua chapter 20, verse 2 records God's command, conveyed through Joshua, to the Israelites. It instructs them to designate specific "cities of refuge," places already promised and detailed through Moses, intended to provide asylum for individuals who unintentionally kill another person, thereby protecting them from the immediate pursuit of a "blood avenger." This divine directive underscores the establishment of a just and merciful legal system within the land of Canaan.
Joshua 20 2 Context
Joshua 20 is situated directly after the Israelites have largely completed the conquest and division of the land of Canaan among the tribes, as detailed in previous chapters. With the military phase drawing to a close, the focus shifts to establishing a functional societal structure for the nation in their new homeland. The command to designate cities of refuge is not a new law but a fulfillment of instructions previously given by the Lord through Moses (Num 35; Deut 19). Its immediate context is the legal and administrative setup of the promised land, ensuring divine justice and order, preventing tribal vengeance, and maintaining societal harmony in accordance with God's covenant with Israel. Historically, it reflects a society transitioning from nomadic tribalism to a settled nation, requiring sophisticated legal frameworks to prevent anarchy and blood feuds.
Joshua 20 2 Word analysis
- Speak (Hebrew: דַּבֵּר - dabbēr): This is an imperative, a direct command, emphasizing the authoritative nature of the instruction given through Joshua. It signifies a divine pronouncement intended for immediate and active obedience from the entire nation.
- children of Israel (Hebrew: בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - b'nei Yisrael): This term highlights the specific audience for this command – the entire covenant community, encompassing all tribes and individuals. It emphasizes their collective responsibility to implement God's law within their newly settled territories.
- Appoint for yourselves (Hebrew: הַקְצוּ לָכֶם - haqṣū lakem): This is an active verb, indicating that the Israelites are not to passively receive but actively to designate and set apart these cities. It conveys the idea of selecting, setting aside, and allocating, reflecting their participatory role in establishing justice. The "for yourselves" indicates that this provision is for their well-being and justice within their society.
- cities of refuge (Hebrew: עָרֵי מִקְלָט - ‘ārei miqlaṭ): The core term. ‘ārei means "cities of." Miqlaṭ (singular) means "refuge," "asylum," "place of receiving," or "shelter." It implies a designated sanctuary where one could be received and protected. Unlike pagan sanctuaries which might offer indiscriminate shelter, these cities operated under specific legal parameters for those guilty of accidental homicide, highlighting a system balancing mercy with strict legal due process, distinct from pagan practices which sometimes ignored culpability.
- of which I spoke to you (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתִּי אֲלֵיכֶם - asher dibbartī alekhem): This phrase emphasizes divine origin and continuity. It's a reminder that this command is not a new idea from Joshua but a direct, long-standing instruction from God Himself, rooted in the foundational Mosaic covenant. This ensures its legitimacy and authority.
- through Moses (Hebrew: בְּיַד מֹשֶׁה - b'yad Moshe): Literally "by the hand of Moses." This specifies the divine messenger and conduit for the original instruction. It affirms Moses's role as the primary human agent through whom God revealed His law to Israel, establishing the command as part of the immutable Law of the Lord.
- "Speak to the children of Israel, saying": This opening phrase underscores the continuity of divine communication. After Moses's death, Joshua acts as God's designated leader and prophet, transmitting God's explicit will directly to the whole community, ensuring the proper execution of the law.
- "Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge": This phrase combines human responsibility with divine provision. Israel is to take proactive steps to implement God's merciful provision for justice. It reveals God's meticulous concern for internal peace and order, even when tragic accidents occur. These cities were to be physically accessible, signifying God's desire for quick and attainable recourse.
- "of which I spoke to you through Moses": This crucial declaration connects the current command directly to the Law given at Sinai. It validates Joshua's authority by appealing to previously established divine statutes, thereby reinforcing the enduring nature of God's covenant instructions and Israel's long-standing obligation to them. It prevents the perception that this is a new, arbitrary rule, rooting it firmly in the Torah.
Joshua 20 2 Bonus section
The design of the cities of refuge demonstrates divine compassion and practicality. The cities were to be easily accessible from all parts of Israel, often chosen from existing Levite cities, highlighting their holy and publicly known nature. Roads leading to them were to be kept clear and marked for easy access, emphasizing the immediacy of the need for safety. Upon reaching the city gate, the unintentional slayer had to state his case to the elders, who then judged his intention. If accidental, he remained within the city walls until the death of the reigning high priest, symbolizing an atonement of sorts through another's death. This ancient law not only managed disputes but also continuously taught Israel about justice, mercy, and God's provision for protection. The required return of the accidental slayer to his original property after the High Priest's death (Num 35:28) speaks to the restoration that occurs when ultimate atonement is made. This temporary confinement was not punishment for sin but protection from vengeful retribution, illustrating God's meticulous care for life and the due process of law.
Joshua 20 2 Commentary
Joshua 20:2 highlights a core aspect of God's character and His divine governance for Israel: the harmonious balance of justice and mercy. The command for cities of refuge provided a divinely ordained legal mechanism to distinguish between intentional murder and accidental homicide, protecting the innocent life of a slayer from a blood avenger's immediate reprisal. This system curtailed cycles of retribution and blood feuds, establishing an ordered society founded on God's principles rather than personal vengeance. The re-issuance of this command through Joshua underscores the unchanging nature of God's law and His foresight in providing for His people's societal well-being. Ultimately, these cities foreshadowed the spiritual refuge found in God Himself, and supremely, in Christ, who offers a haven from spiritual condemnation for all who "flee for refuge" to Him, echoing the temporary protection found in these ancient cities. The high priest's death freeing those in refuge pointed to Christ's atoning death as the ultimate release from sin's bondage.