Joshua 20 explained: Safe Cities for Accidental Killings

Why refuge was needed (vv. 1-3)

In this culture a close relative of someone killed, called the avenger of blood, was expected to take a life in return. These towns, first commanded through Moses, protected a person who had killed by accident from being killed before anyone looked at what really happened.

Asking for shelter (vv. 4-5)

The city gate was where town leaders met and settled disputes, so the person explained their case there. If it sounded like a true accident with no old hatred behind it, the leaders had to take them in and refuse to hand them over.

Trial and the high priest (v. 6)

The community then held a proper hearing, and if the killing was judged deliberate the protection ended. If not, the person had to live in that town until the high priest died; scholars are unsure why, though many think it worked like a general pardon marking a fresh start.

Six cities named (vv. 7-8)

Three towns west of the Jordan River sat in the north, middle and south, and three east of the river had already been chosen under Moses. Spreading them out meant no one was too far from safety, and the next chapter shows they were among the towns given to the Levites, the priestly tribe.

Open to outsiders too (v. 9)

The protection covered foreigners living in Israel as well as Israelites. Christians later read these cities as a picture of finding safety in Jesus, drawing on the image of fleeing for refuge in the New Testament.

Key verse: Joshua 20:3

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on how much to read the cities as a deliberate picture of Jesus rather than mainly as a practical justice law for ancient Israel.

Something to think about

When someone causes serious harm by accident, what do you think they still owe, and what should they be protected from?