Joshua Chapter 20
At a Glance
- Joshua 20 introduces the remarkable institution of the cities of refuge.
- As part of the Deuteronomistic history, Joshua 20 situates the community within covenant law and social order.
- - Mercy and due process: The refuges protect life while upholding justice, preventing impulsive retaliation.
- - Sacred space as protection: The city gates symbolize safe spaces where vulnerable people can find shelter under communal oversight.
- - The persistence of law in settlement: Even amid conquest, God’s law governs social relations and safety.
Joshua 20 introduces the remarkable institution of the cities of refuge. The Lord instructs Israel to designate specific cities where someone who has killed another unintentionally can flee to escape the avenger of blood. The chapter details the process: the fleeing individual presents his case at the gate, the elders welcome him, he lives in the city, and the community holds him until the priestly era and the subsequent judgment by the congregation. If the killing was indeed unwitting, the slayer remains in sanctuary until the death of the high priest in office. The chapter names six cities—three on the western side of the Jordan and three on the eastern side (Bezer, Ramoth in Gilead, and Golan in Bashan on the east; Kedesh in Galilee, Shechem in Ephraim, and Hebron in Judah on the west). The law ensures mercy and due process, balancing justice and protection for vulnerable people and avoiding blood feuds that could destabilize society.
As part of the Deuteronomistic history, Joshua 20 situates the community within covenant law and social order. The cities of refuge are rooted in Mosaic law (Numbers 35; Deuteronomy 19) and demonstrate a mature codification of justice in the land. The genre blends legal material with narrative, illustrating how divine commands shape civic life. This chapter bridges conquest and settlement by showing how Israel’s future life depends on righteous governance and humane handling of violence. The placement toward the middle of the book reinforces that even after victory, the people must live under law that preserves life and prevents cycles of vengeance. The listing of the cities also underscores the geographic reach of the covenant community and signals that mercy and justice operate across tribal and regional boundaries.
- Mercy and due process: The refuges protect life while upholding justice, preventing impulsive retaliation.
- Sacred space as protection: The city gates symbolize safe spaces where vulnerable people can find shelter under communal oversight.
- The persistence of law in settlement: Even amid conquest, God’s law governs social relations and safety.
- Duty to community stability: The system aims to keep peace, prevent blood feuds, and promote orderly governance across tribes.
- Justice with mercy: In contemporary life, this chapter invites us to balance accountability with compassion, ensuring processes that protect the vulnerable (victims, wrongfully accused, or those who act out of fear).
- Institutions that moderate retaliation: Modern legal and social systems should resemble the cities of refuge—spaces where communities carefully evaluate harm, motive, and consequences before judgment.
- Sanctuary as metaphor: “Cities of refuge” can symbolize safe communities, refugee shelters, and restorative justice initiatives that prioritize restoration over retribution.
- Boundaries and safety for all: Recognizing dangers in unbridled retaliation encourages communities to establish rules that protect the vulnerable.