Joshua

Joshua 20:2–9

2“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, 3so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. 4When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them.

5Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the manslayer into his hand, because that man killed his neighbor accidentally without prior malice. 6He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the manslayer may return to his own home in the city from which he fled.”

7So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.

8And beyond the Jordan, east of Jericho, they designated Bezer on the wilderness plateau from the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh.

9These are the cities appointed for all the Israelites and foreigners among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly.

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Joshua 20:2

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Tellדַּבֵּ֛רdab·bêrVerb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singularH1696 speak
the Israelitesבְּנֵ֥יbə·nêNoun - masculine plural constructH1121 son
to designateתְּנ֤וּtə·nūVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine pluralH5414 give, put, set
the citiesעָרֵ֣י‘ā·rêNoun - feminine plural constructH5892 excitement
of refugeהַמִּקְלָ֔טham·miq·lāṭArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4733 refuge, asylum
asאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer-Pronoun - relativeH834 particle of relation
I instructedדִּבַּ֥רְתִּיdib·bar·tîVerb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singularH1696 speak
you throughבְּיַד־bə·yaḏ-Preposition-b; Noun - feminine singular constructH3027 hand
Mosesמֹשֶֽׁה׃mō·šehNoun - proper - masculine singularH4872 Moses

Joshua 20:3

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
so that anyoneרוֹצֵ֔חַrō·w·ṣê·aḥVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH7523 murder, slay
who killsמַכֵּה־mak·kêh-Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular constructH5221 smite
anotherנֶ֥פֶשׁne·p̄ešNoun - feminine singularH5315 soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
unintentionallyבִּשְׁגָגָ֖הbiš·ḡā·ḡāhPreposition-b; Noun - feminine singularH7684 sin of error, inadvertence
or accidentallyבִּבְלִי־biḇ·lî-Preposition-b; AdverbH1097 wearing out
may fleeלָנ֥וּסlā·nūsPreposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructH5127 flee, escape
thereשָׁ֙מָּה֙šām·māhAdverb; third person feminine singularH8033 there, thither
These will beוְהָי֤וּwə·hā·yūConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common pluralH1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
yourלָכֶם֙lā·ḵemPreposition; second person masculine plural
refugeלְמִקְלָ֔טlə·miq·lāṭPreposition-l; Noun - masculine singularH4733 refuge, asylum
from the avengerמִגֹּאֵ֖לmig·gō·’êlPreposition-m; Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular constructH1350 redeem, act as kinsman
of bloodהַדָּֽם׃had·dāmArticle; Noun - masculine singularH1818 blood

Joshua 20:4

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
When someone fleesוְנָ֞סwə·nāsConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH5127 flee, escape
toאֶל־’el-PrepositionH413 motion to
oneאַחַ֣ת׀’a·ḥaṯNumber - feminine singularH259 one
of theseהָאֵ֗לֶּהhā·’êl·lehArticle; Pronoun - common pluralH428 these
citiesמֵהֶעָרִ֣יםmê·he·‘ā·rîmPreposition-m, Article; Noun - feminine pluralH5892 excitement
standsוְעָמַד֙wə·‘ā·maḏConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH5975 take one's stand, stand
at the entranceפֶּ֚תַחpe·ṯaḥNoun - masculine singular constructH6607 opening, doorway, entrance
of the cityהָעִ֔ירhā·‘îrArticle; Noun - feminine singularH5892 excitement
gateשַׁ֣עַרša·‘arNoun - masculine singular constructH8179 gate
and statesוְדִבֶּ֛רwə·ḏib·berConjunctive waw; Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH1696 speak
his caseדְּבָרָ֑יוdə·ḇā·rāwNoun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine singularH1697 speech, word
beforeזִקְנֵ֥י־ziq·nêAdjective - masculine plural constructH2205 old
they are to bringוְאָסְפ֨וּwə·’ā·sə·p̄ūConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common pluralH622 gather, remove
himאֹת֤וֹ’ō·ṯōwDirect object marker; third person masculine singularH853 mark of the accusative
into the cityהָעִ֙ירָה֙hā·‘î·rāhArticle; Noun - feminine singular; third person feminine singularH5892 excitement
and giveוְנָתְנוּ־wə·nā·ṯə·nū-Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common pluralH5414 give, put, set
himל֥וֹlōwPreposition; third person masculine singular
a placeמָק֖וֹםmā·qō·wmNoun - masculine singularH4725 standing, spot, condition
to liveוְיָשַׁ֥בwə·yā·šaḇConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH3427 sit, remain, dwell
among themעִמָּֽם׃‘im·māmPreposition; third person masculine pluralH5973 with

Joshua 20:5

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Now ifוְכִ֨יwə·ḵîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
the avengerגֹּאֵ֤לgō·’êlVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular constructH1350 redeem, act as kinsman
of bloodהַדָּם֙had·dāmArticle; Noun - masculine singularH1818 blood
pursues himיִרְדֹּ֜ףyir·dōp̄Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH7291 pursue, chase, persecute
they must notוְלֹֽא־wə·lō-Conjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
surrenderיַסְגִּ֥רוּyas·gi·rūVerb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine pluralH5462 shut, close
the manslayerהָרֹצֵ֖חַhā·rō·ṣê·aḥArticle; Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH7523 murder, slay
into his handבְּיָד֑וֹbə·yā·ḏōwPreposition-b; Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singularH3027 hand
becauseכִּ֤יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
killedהִכָּ֣הhik·kāhVerb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singularH5221 smite
his neighborרֵעֵ֔הוּrê·‘ê·hūNoun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singularH7453 shouting, roar
accidentallyבִבְלִי־ḇiḇ·lî-Preposition-b; AdverbH1097 wearing out
withoutוְלֹֽא־wə·lō-Conjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
priorשִׁלְשֽׁוֹם׃šil·šō·wmAdverbH8032 three days ago
maliceשֹׂנֵ֥אśō·nêVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH8130 hate

Joshua 20:6

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
He is to stayוְיָשַׁ֣ב׀wə·yā·šaḇConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH3427 sit, remain, dwell
in thatהַהִ֗יאha·hîArticle; Pronoun - third person feminine singularH1931 he, she
cityבָּעִ֣ירbā·‘îrPreposition-b, Article; Noun - feminine singularH5892 excitement
untilעַד־‘aḏ-PrepositionH5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
he standsעָמְד֞וֹ‘ā·mə·ḏōwVerb - Qal - Infinitive construct; third person masculine singularH5975 take one's stand, stand
trialלַמִּשְׁפָּ֔טlam·miš·pāṭPreposition-l, Article; Noun - masculine singularH4941 judgment
beforeלִפְנֵ֤יlip̄·nêPreposition-l; Noun - common plural constructH6440 face, before
the assemblyהָֽעֵדָה֙hā·‘ê·ḏāhArticle; Noun - feminine singularH5712 congregation
and untilעַד־‘aḏ-PrepositionH5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
the deathמוֹת֙mō·wṯNoun - masculine singular constructH4194 death
of the highהַגָּד֔וֹלhag·gā·ḏō·wlArticle; Adjective - masculine singularH1419 great
priestהַכֹּהֵ֣ןhak·kō·hênArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3548 priest
servingיִהְיֶ֖הyih·yehVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
at thatהָהֵ֑םhā·hêmArticle; Pronoun - third person masculine pluralH1992 they, them
timeבַּיָּמִ֣יםbay·yā·mîmPreposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine pluralH3117 day
Thenאָ֣ז׀’āzAdverbH227 at that time, then
the manslayerהָרוֹצֵ֗חַhā·rō·w·ṣê·aḥArticle; Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH7523 murder, slay
may returnיָשׁ֣וּבyā·šūḇVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH7725 turn back, return
to his own homeבֵּית֔וֹbê·ṯōwNoun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singularH1004 house
inאֶל־’el-PrepositionH413 motion to
the cityעִירוֹ֙‘î·rōwNoun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singularH5892 excitement
from whichאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer-Pronoun - relativeH834 particle of relation
he fledנָ֥סnāsVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH5127 flee, escape

Joshua 20:7

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
So they set apartוַיַּקְדִּ֜שׁוּway·yaq·di·šūConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralH6942 be set apart, consecrated
Kedeshקֶ֤דֶשׁqe·ḏešNoun - proper - feminine singularH6943 Kedesh
in Galileeבַּגָּלִיל֙bag·gā·lîlPreposition-b, Article; Noun - proper - feminine singularH1551 cylinder, rod, circuit, district
in the hill countryבְּהַ֣רbə·harPreposition-b; Noun - masculine singular constructH2022 mountain, hill, hill-country
of Naphtaliנַפְתָּלִ֔יnap̄·tā·lîNoun - proper - masculine singularH5321 Naphtali
Shechemשְׁכֶ֖םšə·ḵemNoun - proper - feminine singularH7927 shoulder
in the hill countryבְּהַ֣רbə·harPreposition-b; Noun - masculine singular constructH2022 mountain, hill, hill-country
of Ephraimאֶפְרָ֑יִם’ep̄·rā·yimNoun - proper - masculine singularH669 Ephraim
and Kiriath-arbaאַרְבַּ֛ע’ar·ba‘Noun - proper - feminine singularH7153 Kirjath-Arba, Kirjath-ha-Arba
that isהִ֥יאhîPronoun - third person feminine singularH1931 he, she
Hebronחֶבְר֖וֹןḥeḇ·rō·wnNoun - proper - feminine singularH2275 Hebron
in the hill countryבְּהַ֥רbə·harPreposition-b; Noun - masculine singular constructH2022 mountain, hill, hill-country
of Judahיְהוּדָֽה׃yə·hū·ḏāhNoun - proper - masculine singularH3063 Judah

Joshua 20:8

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
And beyondוּמֵעֵ֜בֶרū·mê·‘ê·ḇerConjunctive waw, Preposition-m; Noun - masculine singular constructH5676 region across or beyond, side
the Jordanלְיַרְדֵּ֤ןlə·yar·dênPreposition-l; Noun - proper - feminine singularH3383 Jordan
eastמִזְרָ֔חָהmiz·rā·ḥāhNoun - masculine singular; third person feminine singularH4217 place of sunrise, east
of Jerichoיְרִיחוֹ֙yə·rî·ḥōwNoun - proper - feminine singularH3405 Jericho
they designatedנָתְנ֞וּnā·ṯə·nūVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralH5414 give, put, set
Bezerבֶּ֧צֶרbe·ṣerNoun - proper - feminine singularH1221 Betser
on the wildernessבַּמִּדְבָּ֛רbam·miḏ·bārPreposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singularH4057 mouth
plateauבַּמִּישֹׁ֖רbam·mî·šōrPreposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singularH4334 level place, uprightness
from the tribeמִמַּטֵּ֣הmim·maṭ·ṭêhPreposition-m; Noun - masculine singular constructH4294 staff, rod, shaft
of Reubenרְאוּבֵ֑ןrə·’ū·ḇênNoun - proper - masculine singularH7205 Reuben
Ramothרָאמֹ֤תrā·mōṯNoun - proper - feminine singularH7216 Heights, Ramôth
in Gileadבַּגִּלְעָד֙bag·gil·‘āḏPreposition-b, Article; Noun - proper - feminine singularH1568 Gilad
from the tribeמִמַּטֵּה־mim·maṭ·ṭêh-Preposition-m; Noun - masculine singular constructH4294 staff, rod, shaft
of Gadגָ֔דḡāḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1410 Gad
andוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ-Conjunctive waw; Direct object markerH853 mark of the accusative
Golanגָּלוֹןgå̄·lōnNoun - proper - feminine singularH1474 Golan
in Bashanבַּבָּשָׁ֖ןbab·bā·šānPreposition-b, Article; Noun - proper - feminine singularH1316 Bashan
from the tribeמִמַּטֵּ֥הmim·maṭ·ṭêhPreposition-m; Noun - masculine singular constructH4294 staff, rod, shaft
of Manassehמְנַשֶּֽׁה׃mə·naš·šehNoun - proper - masculine singularH4519 Manasseh

Joshua 20:9

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Theseאֵ֣לֶּה’êl·lehPronoun - common pluralH428 these
areהָיוּ֩hā·yūVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralH1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
the citiesעָרֵ֨י‘ā·rêNoun - feminine plural constructH5892 excitement
appointedהַמּֽוּעָדָ֜הham·mū·‘ā·ḏāhArticle; Noun - feminine singularH4152 appointed place, asylum
for allלְכֹ֣ל׀lə·ḵōlPreposition-l; Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
the Israelitesבְּנֵ֣יbə·nêNoun - masculine plural constructH1121 son
and foreignersוְלַגֵּר֙wə·lag·gêrConjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article; Noun - masculine singularH1616 sojourner
among themבְּתוֹכָ֔םbə·ṯō·w·ḵāmPreposition-b; Noun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine pluralH8432 midst
so that anyoneכָּל־kāl-Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
who killsמַכֵּה־mak·kêh-Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular constructH5221 smite
a personנֶ֖פֶשׁne·p̄ešNoun - feminine singularH5315 soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
unintentionallyבִּשְׁגָגָ֑הbiš·ḡā·ḡāhPreposition-b; Noun - feminine singularH7684 sin of error, inadvertence
may fleeלָנ֣וּסlā·nūsPreposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructH5127 flee, escape
thereשָׁ֔מָּהšām·māhAdverb; third person feminine singularH8033 there, thither
and notוְלֹ֣אwə·lōConjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
dieיָמ֗וּתyā·mūṯVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH4191 die
by the handבְּיַד֙bə·yaḏPreposition-b; Noun - feminine singular constructH3027 hand
of the avengerגֹּאֵ֣לgō·’êlVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular constructH1350 redeem, act as kinsman
of bloodהַדָּ֔םhad·dāmArticle; Noun - masculine singularH1818 blood
priorעַד־‘aḏ-PrepositionH5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
to standingעָמְד֖וֹ‘ā·mə·ḏōwVerb - Qal - Infinitive construct; third person masculine singularH5975 take one's stand, stand
beforeלִפְנֵ֥יlip̄·nêPreposition-l; Noun - common plural constructH6440 face, before
the assemblyהָעֵדָֽה׃פhā·‘ê·ḏāhArticle; Noun - feminine singularH5712 congregation

Cross-references

Other passages that speak to the same thing. Point at one to read it.

Joshua 20:2 Deuteronomy 19:2–13 · Numbers 35:11–24 · Numbers 35:6 · Deuteronomy 4:41–43 · Romans 8:1

Joshua 20:4 Jeremiah 38:7 · Ruth 4:1–2

Joshua 20:5 Numbers 35:12

Joshua 20:6 Numbers 35:12 · Hebrews 9:26

Joshua 20:7 Joshua 21:11 · Luke 1:39 · Joshua 21:32 · 1 Chronicles 6:76 · Joshua 14:15 · Joshua 21:13 · Joshua 21:21

Joshua 20:8 Joshua 21:36 · 1 Chronicles 6:78 · Joshua 21:38 · Joshua 21:27

Joshua 20:9 Numbers 35:15

Cross-references from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY 4.0. The best-supported references for each verse are shown.

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible.