Joshua 20:3 NIV

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 20:1-6

The manslayer and his refuge. The institution of the cities of refuge stands as a conspicuous memorial of the beneficent spirit of the Mosaic economy. It bore a resemblance to that right of asylum, or sanctuary, which in some form or other has found a place in the usage of all nations from the earliest times, but it was not liable to the same abuse. Every provision of the Mosaic economy enshrined some enduring principle. Some great moral lesson was intended to be impressed by it on the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 20:1-9

The cities of refuge. The institution of these cities was intended to put bounds to revenge, while providing for the punishment of crime. As Lange remarks, the Mosaic law found the principle of vengeance at the hand of the nearest relative of the deceased already recognised, and desired to direct and restrain it. Three considerations suggest themselves on this point. I. THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE . The most serious crime one man could commit against another (offences against God... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 20:2-3

Danger and safety. The Book of Joshua supplements the Pentateuch. It tells Us of the execution of the behests contained in the law. Hence it preaches a continual lesson of obedience. How far do our lives exhibit a conformity of practice to gospel precepts? Surely God says to us, as to Joshua, "Be mindful of the commandment given by the hand of My servant." I. A PREVALENT CUSTOM MODIFIED . The rights of kinsmen were various and strongly insisted on. The exaction of vengeance for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 20:3

Unawares and unwittingly. Literally, in error, in not knowing. Numbers 35:16-18 and Deuteronomy 19:5 , give a clear explanation of what is here meant. Knobel notices that the first of these expressions is found in Le Deuteronomy 4:2 , and the second in Deuteronomy 4:42 . The latter is "superfluous," and therefore a "filling up of the Deuteronomist." The "Deuteronomist" must have been very active in his "filling up." If he were really so lynx-eyed in a matter of style, it is a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 20:3

Joshua 20:3. Unwittingly Hebrew, Through ignorance, or error, or mistake, and without knowledge. The same thing is twice repeated, to cut off all expectations that wilful murderers might have of protection here. God having declared that such should be taken even from his altar, that they might be killed. It is strange that any Christians should make their sanctuaries give protection to such persons whom God hath so expressly excepted from it! Avenger The nearest kinsman, who had... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 20:1-9

Cities for the Levites (20:1-21:45)The Levites were given forty-eight cities throughout Israel, along with surrounding pasture lands for their cattle (see 21:41-42; Numbers 35:1-8). Among these cities were six cities of refuge (Numbers 35:6). These were cities where a person who had killed another could flee for safety until he had been lawfully judged (Exodus 21:12-14). If he was found guilty of murder he was to be executed, but if he was found to have caused the death accidentally, he could... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 20:3

killeth any person = smiteth a soul. Hebrew. nephesh. See App-13 . Literally a killer, smiting a soul. unwittingly = unknowingly (anglo-Saxon). read more

Thomas Coke

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 20:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 20:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 20:2-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 20:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 20:3

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 20:1-9

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 20:3

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Joshua 20:1-6

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