6. until the death of the high priest—His death secured the complete deliverance of the manslayer from his sin, only because he had been anointed with the holy oil (Numbers 35:25), the symbol of the Holy Ghost; and thus the death of the earthly high priest became a type of that of the heavenly one (Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 9:15). Hebrews 9:15- :. THE ISRAELITES APPOINT BY NAME THE CITIES OF REFUGE. read more
1. The cities of refuge ch. 20At this time, the tribal leaders formally designated the six cities of refuge, about which Moses had received instructions (Numbers 35). Three stood west of the Jordan: Kadesh in Naphtali, Shechem in Manasseh, and Hebron in Judah (Joshua 20:7). Three more were east of the Jordan: Bezer in Reuben, Ramoth in Gad, and Golan in Manasseh (Joshua 20:8). Their placement meant that no Israelite would have to travel far to reach one of them. [Note: See my notes on Numbers... read more
D. The special cities chs. 20:1-21:42God also set aside special cities for special purposes within the Promised Land. read more
The Appointment of Cities of RefugeThe allotment of the tribal inheritance is followed by the appointment of six cities of refuge previously provided and in part assigned by Moses, according to the terms of the Sinaitic law concerning manslaughter: cp. Exodus 21:13; Numbers 35:6. These are enumerated in the following order:—W. of Jordan: Kedesh (N.), Shechem (central), Hebron (S.); E. of Jordan: Bezer (S.), Ramoth-Gilead (central), Golan (N.). Geographical considerations must have had the first... read more
CHAPTER XXVII.THE CITIES OF REFUGE.Joshua 20:1-9.CITIES of refuge had a very prominent place assigned to them in the records of the Mosaic legislation. First, in that which all allow to be the earliest legislation (Exod. Chs. 20-23) intimation is given of God’s intention to institute such cities (Exodus 21:13); then in Numbers (Numbers 35:9-34) the plan of these places is given in full, and all the regulations applicable to them; again in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 19:1-13) the law on the subject... read more
7. The Cities of Refuge CHAPTER 20 1. The ordinance repeated (Joshua 20:1-6 ) 2. The cities named (Joshua 20:7-9 ) The reader will find the meaning of the ordinance of the cities of refuge in Numbers and Deuteronomy, so that we do not need to repeat it here. But only three cities are mentioned in the Pentateuch. Here the three cities in the land are added. Kedesh was in Naphtah, Kedesh means “sanctuary,” and Naphtali means “wrestler-struggler.” Christ is the refuge for the struggling... read more
20:5 And if the {b} avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.(b) That is, the nearest kinsman of him that is slain. read more
20:6 And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for {c} judgment, [and] until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.(c) Till his cause was proved. read more
JUSTICE FOR THE GUILTY REFUSED BY BENJAMIN (vv. 1-13) All the tribes were united in their insistence that judgment must be carried out against those who were guilty of criminal abuse and murder.They did not have the same zeal for God's glory in judging the idolatry of Dan. In fact, Dan was included in the stand against this moral wickedness. Dan wanted to cast out the speck in his brother's eye while ignoring the plank in this own eye! (Matthew 7:4) These tribes gathered at Mizpah (vv.1-2),... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Joshua 20:1-6
Ver. 1-6. The Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying, &c.— The great work of distributing the lands being now finished, God orders Joshua to put the last hand to the settlement of the cities of refuge, upon the footing which he had specified to Moses. See on Numbers 35:0 and Deuteronomy 19:0. The slayer was to stand at the gate of the city, ver. 4 as being the place where the courts of justice were held. read more