Joshua 20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 20

This short chapter is concerning the cities of refuge, which we often read of in the writings of Moses, but this is the last time that we find mention of them, for now that matter was thoroughly settled. Here is, I. The law God gave concerning them, Josh. 20:1-6. II. The people's designation of the particular cities for that use, Josh. 20:7-9. And this remedial law was a figure of good things to come. read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 20:1-6

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... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 20:7-9

We have here the nomination of the cities of refuge in the land of Canaan, which was made by the advice and authority of Joshua and the princes (Josh. 20:7); and upon occasion of the mention of this is repeated the nomination of the other three in the lot of the other two tribes and a half, which was made by Moses (Deut. 4:43), but (as bishop Patrick thinks) they had not the privilege till now. 1. They are said to sanctify these cities, that is the original word for appointed, Josh. 20:7. Not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 20

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 20 The contents of this chapter are the renewal of the order to appoint cities of refuge for such that commit manslaughter ignorantly, to flee unto, and have shelter in from the avenger of blood, Joshua 20:1 ; and the execution of this order, Joshua 20:7 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 20:1

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, Joshua 13:1 ; and this being done he speaks to him again: saying : as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 20:2

Speak to the children of Israel, saying ,.... Whom the affair concerned the Lord spake to Joshua about, they having now the whole land divided among them: appoint out for you cities of refuge ; of the name, nature, use, and number of these cities; see Gill on Numbers 35:6 , whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses : Numbers 35:1 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 20:3

That the slayer that killeth any person unawares, and unwittingly, may flee thither ,.... Who through mere accident, and without design, killed a person, friend or foe, one of his own kindred, or a stranger, without any malice against him, or intention to take away his life: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood ; from any of the relations of the deceased, who might be stirred up to avenge the blood of his kinsman on the slayer; see Numbers 35:12 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 20:4

And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities ,.... Any one of them, that was nearest to him: shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city ; for he might not rush in without leave: and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city ; lay before them the whole matter, how that he had killed a person unawares, by what means it came about, and that it was merely through error, without any malicious design, and was a mere accident: they shall take him into... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 20:5

And if the avenger of blood pursue after him ,.... To the city of refuge, whither he is fled, and demand him: then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hands ; to be slain by him, but shall protect him: because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime ; See Gill on Numbers 35:22 ; see Gill on Numbers 35:23 , and See Gill on Deuteronomy 19:6 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 20:6

And he shall dwell in that city until he shall stand before the congregation for judgment ,.... That is, until his cause was heard in the court of judicature in his own city, or in any other to which the avenger of blood should appeal: see Numbers 35:24 ; who if they found him guilty of death, they put him to death; but if only guilty of accidental manslaughter, then they delivered him up to his city of refuge for safety, where he was to abide until the death of the high priest that... read more

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