Joshua 20

The command of the LORD concerning the six cities of refuge , for those who unawares should slay a man , v.1, etc. and the right use of the same , 5. The Israelites appoint hereunto six cities , three on this , and three on the other side of Jordan .

1. Furthermore , the LORD spake unto Josua , saying ,

2. Speak unto the children of Josua , Saying , Give yourselves the five cities [Heb. Cities of Retreat or Contraction . The Hebrew word signifieth to draw together , or to contract . These cities are so called , because those that fled for slaying a man , are to take refuge there , and to keep with the same] whereof I spake with you by the ministery of Moseh. Heb. By the hand of Moseh.]

3. That the slayer may flee thither that slayeth a soul [i.e. man , yea , the body of a man , for the soul of a man cannot be killed : for soul , ver. 5. it's said , his neighbour] through errour , not wittingly [they that wilfully , or of set purpose , had slain any man , were no where free , not so much as in the Temple , nor at the Altar , Exodus 21:14.] that they may be a refuge unto you before the avenger of blood . [i.e. before him , who being of kin to , or of the blood of him that was slain , had right or reason to take or demand vengeance for the same]

4. When he doth flee from to one of those cities , he shall stand at the door of the gate of the city , [i.e. at the Town-hall , or place of Judicature , which formerly was wont to be in the City-gates] and he shall utter his words [i.e. he shall give notice wherefore he came thither , how aud what he hath done] before th ears of the Eldest [i.e. of the Magistrate] of that city : then [viz. after it is found that he is no wilful Murtherer] shall they take [Heb. gather] him unto them into the city , and give him place , that he may dwell among them.

5. And when the avenger of blood pursueth after him , they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand , because he slew not his neighbour wittingly , and hated him not yesterday ( and ) ere yesterday . [i.e. formerly]

6. And he shall dwell in the same city , until he stand before the face of the congregation for judgement , [Oth. from having stood , & c. intimating , that he might not be admitted into the city , without having past a solemn tryal] until the High-Priest die , that shall be in those dayes : [the meaning of these words is , that the party fled after he was heard and acquitted , was nevertheless to continue in the City of Refuge , until the death of the High-Priest , that liveth at that time when the fact was committed] then shall the slayer [i.e. after his tryal and and acquitment] return and come unto his city , and unto his house , unto the city from whence he fled .

7. Then they hallowed [i.e. they appointed and ordained for Cities of Refuge] Kedes in Galilea on Mount Naphtali , and Sichem on Mount Ephraim : and Kiriath-Arba , this is Hebron [these three Cities lay on this side Jordan , and may be gathered from ver.8.] on Mount Juda . [i.e. the mountanous or hilly countrey of Juda , as Luke 1:39. & 65.]

8. And the other side of Jordan from Jericho eastward , they gave Bezer in the wilderness , in the plain land , [That this city lay in the wilderness , appeareth by 1 Mach.5. That it lay in the low grounds ( viz. of the Moabites countrey ) appeareth by Jer.48.24.] of the tribe of Reuben : And Ramath in Gilead of the tribe of of Gad , and Golan in the Basan of the tribe of Manasseh .

9. Now these are the cities that were appointed [Heb. the cities of appointment , or ordaining , i.e. which were ordained and appointed for Cities of Refuge , oth. of coming together] for all the children of Israel and for the stranger that sojourneth in the midst of them , that everyone might flee thither that slayeth a soul through errour , lest he die by the hand of the avenger of blood , until he shall have stood before the face of the congregation . [i.e. until his cause shall be heard in Judgement : And understand herewithall , and he shall be acquitted .]