This verse shows God’s justice and compassion by shielding those who caused unintended harm.
Joshua 20 continues the instructions for the cities of refuge, places established so that a person who accidentally caused someone’s death could find protection from retribution until due process was carried out. In explaining this provision, we read, “Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, then they shall not deliver the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor without premeditation and did not hate him beforehand” (v.5). This portion of the verse underscores that the death was unintentional: the person who caused it did not plan or willfully seek to harm his neighbor. Such manslayers received temporary sanctuary in the city of refuge so the community could establish all the facts rather than allow vigilante justice. In the larger scope of Israel’s history, Joshua—who led Israel around 1405-1390 BC—oversaw the distribution of these cities in the land of Canaan, which was the territory promised to Israel. The biblical text emphasizes the justice and mercy in God’s law, balancing punishment for wrongdoing with the need to protect the innocent.
When the passage states, “if the avenger of blood pursues him” (v.5), it points to the family member or representative authorized to avenge the slain individual. In the ancient Near East, the avenger (sometimes called the “goel”) had certain legal duties, but the Lord established safeguards against unjust bloodshed. This arrangement preserved social order by protecting people from rash vengeance. Through these cities of refuge, scattered strategically across the land—such as Kadesh, Shechem, and Hebron on the western side of the Jordan, and Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan to the east—everyone, whether near or far, had equal access to a place of safety. These locations served as a significant reminder of God’s concern for justice and impartiality (Numbers 35; Deuteronomy 19).
Moreover, “they shall not deliver the manslayer into his hand” (v.5) demonstrates that the elders of the city of refuge were not to capitulate to the demands of the avenger if the death was accidental. Instead, they were to protect the accused, ensuring he received a fair hearing. This concept of refuge has a spiritual echo in the New Testament, which portrays Jesus as our ultimate refuge from condemnation (Hebrews 6:18), illustrating God’s heart to guard those who earnestly seek mercy. In this sense, Joshua’s guidance in establishing these cities, at the dawn of Israel’s settlement in the Promised Land, foreshadowed grace that would later be fully displayed in Christ.
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Joshua 20:5 meaning
Joshua 20 continues the instructions for the cities of refuge, places established so that a person who accidentally caused someone’s death could find protection from retribution until due process was carried out. In explaining this provision, we read, “Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, then they shall not deliver the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor without premeditation and did not hate him beforehand” (v.5). This portion of the verse underscores that the death was unintentional: the person who caused it did not plan or willfully seek to harm his neighbor. Such manslayers received temporary sanctuary in the city of refuge so the community could establish all the facts rather than allow vigilante justice. In the larger scope of Israel’s history, Joshua—who led Israel around 1405-1390 BC—oversaw the distribution of these cities in the land of Canaan, which was the territory promised to Israel. The biblical text emphasizes the justice and mercy in God’s law, balancing punishment for wrongdoing with the need to protect the innocent.
When the passage states, “if the avenger of blood pursues him” (v.5), it points to the family member or representative authorized to avenge the slain individual. In the ancient Near East, the avenger (sometimes called the “goel”) had certain legal duties, but the Lord established safeguards against unjust bloodshed. This arrangement preserved social order by protecting people from rash vengeance. Through these cities of refuge, scattered strategically across the land—such as Kadesh, Shechem, and Hebron on the western side of the Jordan, and Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan to the east—everyone, whether near or far, had equal access to a place of safety. These locations served as a significant reminder of God’s concern for justice and impartiality (Numbers 35; Deuteronomy 19).
Moreover, “they shall not deliver the manslayer into his hand” (v.5) demonstrates that the elders of the city of refuge were not to capitulate to the demands of the avenger if the death was accidental. Instead, they were to protect the accused, ensuring he received a fair hearing. This concept of refuge has a spiritual echo in the New Testament, which portrays Jesus as our ultimate refuge from condemnation (Hebrews 6:18), illustrating God’s heart to guard those who earnestly seek mercy. In this sense, Joshua’s guidance in establishing these cities, at the dawn of Israel’s settlement in the Promised Land, foreshadowed grace that would later be fully displayed in Christ.