Joshua 20:2 - “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Assign the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you by Moses,
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Joshua 20:2" mean?
This verse, Joshua 20:2, marks the beginning of the fulfillment of a divine command concerning cities of refuge. Let's break down what it means:
"Speak to the children of Israel...": This is a direct instruction from God to Joshua, telling him to address the Israelites (the descendants of Jacob/Israel). It emphasizes that this command is for the entire nation.
"...saying, ‘Assign the cities of refuge...": This is the core of the instruction. Joshua is commanded to tell the Israelites to designate or set apart certain cities as "cities of refuge." These were specific locations chosen for a particular purpose.
"...of which I spoke to you by Moses...": This is a critical element. It's not a new idea. This provision of cities of refuge was something God had already commanded through Moses earlier in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). This reference to Moses ties the book of Joshua back to the Mosaic law and emphasizes the continuity of God's covenant. It reinforces that Joshua is now implementing commands previously given.
In summary, this verse instructs Joshua to remind the Israelites of a command that God had given through Moses: to designate specific cities to be cities of refuge. These cities were to serve as places where someone who accidentally killed another person could flee and find sanctuary from the victim's avenger.
The purpose of the cities of refuge (explained in greater detail elsewhere in the Bible):
Protection from Blood Vengeance: In ancient Israel, the nearest relative of a murdered person had the right (and even the duty) to avenge the death. This was a system of retributive justice. However, if someone accidentally killed another person (without malice or intent), they were still liable to be killed by the avenger of blood.
A System of Justice: The cities of refuge were a way to provide a more measured and just response to accidental killings. The person fleeing to the city of refuge would be protected until they could be given a fair trial by the elders of the city.
Temporary Sanctuary: If the trial determined the killing was truly accidental, the person could remain in the city of refuge for a certain period (typically until the death of the current High Priest). This provided them protection from the avenger of blood.
Preventing Blood Feuds: The system helped to prevent endless cycles of violence and blood feuds by offering a legal alternative to immediate retribution.
Therefore, Joshua 20:2 is a pivotal verse that sets the stage for the establishment of a legal system aimed at ensuring justice and preventing unnecessary bloodshed within the newly conquered land of Canaan. It also demonstrates how Joshua was implementing the laws and commandments given to Moses.
Joshua 20:2 - “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Assign the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you by Moses,
What does "Joshua 20:2" mean?
This verse, Joshua 20:2, marks the beginning of the fulfillment of a divine command concerning cities of refuge. Let's break down what it means:
"Speak to the children of Israel...": This is a direct instruction from God to Joshua, telling him to address the Israelites (the descendants of Jacob/Israel). It emphasizes that this command is for the entire nation.
"...saying, ‘Assign the cities of refuge...": This is the core of the instruction. Joshua is commanded to tell the Israelites to designate or set apart certain cities as "cities of refuge." These were specific locations chosen for a particular purpose.
"...of which I spoke to you by Moses...": This is a critical element. It's not a new idea. This provision of cities of refuge was something God had already commanded through Moses earlier in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). This reference to Moses ties the book of Joshua back to the Mosaic law and emphasizes the continuity of God's covenant. It reinforces that Joshua is now implementing commands previously given.
In summary, this verse instructs Joshua to remind the Israelites of a command that God had given through Moses: to designate specific cities to be cities of refuge. These cities were to serve as places where someone who accidentally killed another person could flee and find sanctuary from the victim's avenger.
The purpose of the cities of refuge (explained in greater detail elsewhere in the Bible):
Protection from Blood Vengeance: In ancient Israel, the nearest relative of a murdered person had the right (and even the duty) to avenge the death. This was a system of retributive justice. However, if someone accidentally killed another person (without malice or intent), they were still liable to be killed by the avenger of blood.
A System of Justice: The cities of refuge were a way to provide a more measured and just response to accidental killings. The person fleeing to the city of refuge would be protected until they could be given a fair trial by the elders of the city.
Temporary Sanctuary: If the trial determined the killing was truly accidental, the person could remain in the city of refuge for a certain period (typically until the death of the current High Priest). This provided them protection from the avenger of blood.
Preventing Blood Feuds: The system helped to prevent endless cycles of violence and blood feuds by offering a legal alternative to immediate retribution.
Therefore, Joshua 20:2 is a pivotal verse that sets the stage for the establishment of a legal system aimed at ensuring justice and preventing unnecessary bloodshed within the newly conquered land of Canaan. It also demonstrates how Joshua was implementing the laws and commandments given to Moses.