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Joshua 20

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 20 of 24

1 And Jehovah spoke to Joshua, saying,

2 Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, Give cities of refuge for you, as I have spoken to you by the hand of Moses,

3 that the manslayer who in error strikes anyone mortally, without knowledge, may flee there. And they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

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Chapter Summary

Jehovah commands 7 and the sons of Israel appoint the six cities of refuge.

Key Hebrew Words

מִקְלָט refuge H4733 · TWOT 2026a
רָצַח manslayer H7523 · TWOT 2208
גָּאַל avenger of blood H1350 · TWOT 300
שְׁגָגָה unintentional error H7684 · TWOT 2324a
נוּס flee H5127 · TWOT 1327
עֵדָה congregation H5712 · TWOT 878a

People & Context

Joshua

Leader to whom Jehovah spoke, commanding Israel to set apart the six cities of refuge

Moses

Through whose hand Jehovah had earlier spoken the command concerning cities of refuge

Timeline

Jehovah Commands Cities of Refuge

Jehovah instructs Joshua to fulfill Moses' command by appointing cities of refuge where an unintentional manslayer can flee from the avenger of blood.

Joshua 20:1-6
Six Cities of Refuge Set Apart

Israel sets apart Kadesh, Shechem, and Hebron in Canaan, and Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan across the Jordan as the designated cities of refuge.

Joshua 20:7-9

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