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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 20:6 He 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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/20-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/06_Jos_20_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 20:6 - Six Cities of Refuge" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He 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. 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Then they may go back to their own home in the town from which they fled.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/joshua/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> But the slayer must stay in that city and be tried by the local assembly, which will render a judgment. And he must continue to live in that city until the death of the high priest who was in office at the time of the accident. After that, he is free to return to his own home in the town from which he fled.” <a href="/esv/joshua/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he shall remain in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, until the death of him who is high priest at the time. Then the manslayer may return to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled.’” <a href="/bsb/joshua/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> He 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.” <a href="/kjv/joshua/20.htm">King James Bible</a> And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled. <a href="/nkjv/joshua/20.htm">New King James Version</a> And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the slayer may return and come to his own city and his own house, to the city from which he fled.’ ” <a href="/nasb_/joshua/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And he shall remain in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then he shall return to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled.’” <a href="/nasb/joshua/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8216He shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the manslayer shall return to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled.&#8217&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/joshua/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> ‘And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the manslayer shall return to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled.’” <a href="/lsb/joshua/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And he shall live in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the manslayer shall return and come to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled.’” <a href="/amp/joshua/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> He shall live in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment [and if acquitted of murder he must stay there], until the death of the one who is the high priest in those days. Then the offender (manslayer) shall return to his own city and his own house from which he fled.’” <a href="/csb/joshua/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He 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 one who committed manslaughter may return home to his own city from which he fled.” <a href="/hcsb/joshua/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He 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 one who committed manslaughter may return home to his own city from which he fled.&#8221 <a href="/asv/joshua/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the manslayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled. <a href="/cev/joshua/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The citizens of that Safe Town must come together and hold a trial. They may decide that the victim was killed accidentally and that the accused is not guilty of murder. Everyone found not guilty must still live in the Safe Town until the high priest dies. Then they can go back to their own towns and their homes that they had to leave behind. <a href="/erv/joshua/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the manslayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled. <a href="/gwt/joshua/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The accused person may remain in that city until he can stand trial in front of the congregation or until whoever is chief priest at that time dies. Then he may go back to his home in the city from which he ran away.'" <a href="/gnt/joshua/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> You may stay in the city until you have received a public trial and until the death of the man who is then the High Priest. Then you may go back home to your own town, from which you had run away." <a href="/isv/joshua/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> He is to live in that city until he stands trial before the community, until the death of the one who is high priest at that time. Then the killer may return to his own city and to his own home, that is, to the city from which he fled." <a href="/msb/joshua/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> He 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.? <a href="/net/joshua/20.htm">NET Bible</a> He must remain in that city until his case is decided by the assembly and the high priest dies. Then the one who committed manslaughter may return home to the city from which he escaped." <a href="/nheb/joshua/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days. Then the manslayer shall return, and come to his own city, and to his own house, to the city he fled from.'" <a href="/wbt/joshua/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he shall dwell in that city, until he shall stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high-priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come to his own city, and to his own house, to the city from whence he fled. <a href="/web/joshua/20.htm">World English Bible</a> He shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days. Then the man slayer shall return, and come to his own city, and to his own house, to the city he fled from.’” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/joshua/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he has dwelt in that city until his standing before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the chief priest who is in those days—then the manslayer turns back and has come to his city, and to his house, to the city from where he fled.” <a href="/ylt/joshua/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he hath dwelt in that city till his standing before the company for judgment, till the death of the chief priest who is in those days -- then doth the man-slayer turn back and hath come unto his city, and unto his house, unto the city whence he fled.' <a href="/slt/joshua/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he shall dwell in that city till his standing before the assembly for judgment, till the death of the great priest which shall be in those days: then the slayer shall turn back and come to his city and to his house, to the city which he fled from there.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/joshua/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he shall dwell in that city, till he stand before judgment to give an account of his fact, and till the death of the high priest, who shall be at that time: then shall the manslayer return, and go into his own city and house from whence he fled. <a href="/cpdv/joshua/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he shall live in that city, until he stands before judgment in order to render the facts of his case, and until the death of the high priest, whoever it will be in that time. Then the one who killed a man may return, and he may enter his own city and house, from which he had fled.” <a href="/nabre/joshua/20.htm">New American Bible</a> Once he has stood judgment before the community, he shall live on in that city until the death of the high priest who is in office at the time. Then the killer may return home to the city from where he originally fled. <a href="/nrsvce/joshua/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The slayer shall remain in that city until there is a trial before the congregation, until the death of the one who is high priest at the time: then the slayer may return home, to the town in which the deed was done.’”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/joshua/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he shall dwell in that city until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days; then the slayer shall return, and come to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled. <a href="/hpbt/joshua/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the assembly in judgment, until the Great Priest will die who will preside in those days, and then the manslayer shall return and he shall come to his house and to his town and to the city from which he fled<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/joshua/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days; then may the manslayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.' <a href="/parallel/joshua/20-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=5196" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/joshua/20.htm">Six Cities of Refuge</a> …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. 6<a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: wə·yā·šaḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">He is to stay</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hî (Art:: Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">in that</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: bā·‘îr (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">city</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">until</a> <a href="/hebrew/5975.htm" title="5975: ‘ā·mə·ḏōw (V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- To take one's stand, stand. A primitive root; to stand, in various relations.">he stands</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: lam·miš·pāṭ (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Judgment. ">trial</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/5712.htm" title="5712: hā·‘ê·ḏāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Congregation. Feminine of ed in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage.">the assembly</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">and until</a> <a href="/hebrew/4194.htm" title="4194: mō·wṯ (N-msc) -- Death. From muwth; death; concretely, the dead, their place or state; figuratively, pestilence, ruin.">the death</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: hag·gā·ḏō·wl (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">of the high</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hên (Art:: N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">priest</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">serving</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hā·hêm (Art:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">at that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bay·yā·mîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">time.</a> <a href="/hebrew/227.htm" title="227: ’āz (Adv) -- At that time. A demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore.">Then</a> <a href="/hebrew/7523.htm" title="7523: hā·rō·w·ṣê·aḥ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To murder, slay. A primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. Kill, especially to murder.">the manslayer</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ū·ḇā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: yā·šūḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">may return</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bê·ṯōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">to his own home</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense."></a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">in</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘î·rōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">the city</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wə·’el- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">from which</a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: nās (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">he fled.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: miš·šām (Prep-m:: Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence."></a> 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/numbers/35-25.htm">Numbers 35:25-28</a> The assembly is to protect the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge to which he fled, and he must live there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. / But if the manslayer ever goes outside the limits of the city of refuge to which he fled / and the avenger of blood finds him outside of his city of refuge and kills him, then the avenger will not be guilty of bloodshed, ... <a href="/deuteronomy/19-4.htm">Deuteronomy 19:4-6</a> Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him: / If he goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut timber and swings his axe to chop down a tree, but the blade flies off the handle and strikes and kills his neighbor, he may flee to one of these cities to save his life. / Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the manslayer in a rage, overtake him if the distance is great, and strike him dead though he did not deserve to die, since he did not intend any harm. <a href="/exodus/21-13.htm">Exodus 21:13</a> If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. <a href="/numbers/35-12.htm">Numbers 35:12</a> You are to have these cities as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly. <a href="/numbers/35-15.htm">Numbers 35:15</a> These six cities will serve as a refuge for the Israelites and for the foreigner or stranger among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there. <a href="/deuteronomy/4-42.htm">Deuteronomy 4:42</a> to which a manslayer could flee after killing his neighbor unintentionally without prior malice. To save one’s own life, he could flee to one of these cities: <a href="/deuteronomy/19-11.htm">Deuteronomy 19:11-13</a> If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, / the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. / You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you. <a href="/1_kings/2-28.htm">1 Kings 2:28-34</a> When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ... <a href="/hebrews/6-18.htm">Hebrews 6:18</a> Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged. <a href="/acts/3-14.htm">Acts 3:14-15</a> You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. / You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses of this fact. <a href="/acts/7-52.htm">Acts 7:52</a> Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— <a href="/acts/13-28.htm">Acts 13:28-29</a> And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed. / When they had carried out all that was written about Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. <a href="/romans/8-34.htm">Romans 8:34</a> Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us. <a href="/hebrews/7-23.htm">Hebrews 7:23-25</a> Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. / But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. / Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. <a href="/hebrews/9-11.htm">Hebrews 9:11-12</a> But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. / He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come to his own city, and to his own house, to the city from from where he fled.until<a href="/numbers/35-12.htm">Numbers 35:12,24,25</a> And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment… <a href="/hebrews/9-26.htm">Hebrews 9:26</a> For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/20-4.htm">City</a> <a href="/joshua/19-51.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/joshua/20-5.htm">Death</a> <a href="/joshua/20-4.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-29.htm">High</a> <a href="/joshua/18-5.htm">House</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-41.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/joshua/20-5.htm">Manslayer</a> <a href="/joshua/19-51.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/joshua/20-5.htm">Slayer</a> <a href="/joshua/20-4.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/joshua/7-26.htm">Stands</a> <a href="/joshua/9-8.htm">Whence</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/21-11.htm">City</a> <a href="/joshua/20-9.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/joshua/24-29.htm">Death</a> <a href="/joshua/21-2.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/judges/5-18.htm">High</a> <a href="/joshua/21-45.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/4-5.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/joshua/21-13.htm">Manslayer</a> <a href="/joshua/21-1.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/joshua/21-13.htm">Slayer</a> <a href="/joshua/23-9.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/joshua/20-9.htm">Stands</a> <a href="/judges/13-6.htm">Whence</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 20</div>1. <a href="/joshua/20-1.htm">God commands</a> 7. <a href="/joshua/20-7.htm">and the children of Israel appoint the six cities of refuge</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joshua/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>He is to stay in that city This phrase refers to the city of refuge, a designated place where someone who has accidentally killed another person can seek asylum. The cities of refuge were established by God through Moses (<a href="/numbers/35-9.htm">Numbers 35:9-15</a>) and were strategically located throughout Israel to be accessible to all. This provision underscores the value of human life and the importance of justice tempered with mercy.until he stands trial before the assembly The assembly refers to the local congregation or elders who would hear the case of the manslayer. This trial was necessary to determine whether the killing was accidental or premeditated. The process reflects the judicial system established in Israel, which emphasized fairness and the rule of law (<a href="/deuteronomy/19-12.htm">Deuteronomy 19:12</a>). It also foreshadows the ultimate judgment before God, where every deed is weighed.and until the death of the high priest serving at that time The high priest held a significant role in Israel as the spiritual leader and mediator between God and the people. His death marked a transition and provided a form of atonement, allowing the manslayer to return home. This provision highlights the concept of substitutionary atonement, a theme that is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our High Priest, whose death provides ultimate redemption and freedom from sin (<a href="/hebrews/9-11.htm">Hebrews 9:11-14</a>).Then the manslayer may return to his own home The return to one's home signifies restoration and reconciliation. It indicates that the period of refuge was temporary and served its purpose in protecting the manslayer from the avenger of blood. This return is symbolic of the believer's reconciliation with God through Christ, who provides a permanent refuge and restores us to our intended place in His family (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-18.htm">2 Corinthians 5:18-19</a>).in the city from which he fled. The city from which the manslayer fled represents his original community and life. The ability to return signifies the restoration of relationships and the reintegration into society. This mirrors the biblical theme of exile and return, seen throughout Scripture, where God’s people are often exiled due to sin but are promised restoration and return through repentance and God’s grace (<a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10-14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_manslayer.htm">The Manslayer</a> An individual who has unintentionally killed someone and seeks refuge in a city of refuge to avoid revenge from the avenger of blood. 2. <a href="/topical/c/city_of_refuge.htm">City of Refuge</a> Designated cities where those who committed unintentional manslaughter could seek asylum and be protected from the avenger of blood until a fair trial. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_assembly.htm">The Assembly</a> The group of elders or leaders who would conduct the trial to determine the manslayer's fate. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_high_priest.htm">The High Priest</a> The religious leader whose death marked the end of the manslayer's required stay in the city of refuge, allowing them to return home. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_avenger_of_blood.htm">The Avenger of Blood</a> A family member of the deceased who sought to avenge the death, according to ancient customs.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_mercy.htm">Justice and Mercy</a> The cities of refuge illustrate God's balance of justice and mercy. While justice demands accountability, mercy provides protection and a chance for redemption. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_high_priest.htm">The Role of the High Priest</a> The high priest's death symbolizes a new beginning and freedom for the manslayer, pointing to Christ's role as our eternal High Priest who grants us freedom from sin. <a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a> The assembly's role in the trial emphasizes the importance of community involvement in justice and reconciliation processes. <a href="/topical/t/the_sanctity_of_life.htm">The Sanctity of Life</a> The provision for cities of refuge underscores the value God places on human life and the need for careful discernment in matters of life and death. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_refuge_in_christ.htm">Spiritual Refuge in Christ</a> Just as the manslayer found refuge in the city, believers find spiritual refuge in Christ, who offers protection and hope.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 20</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_polygamy.htm">What are the Courts of Heaven?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_jericho's_walls_collapse.htm">What caused the collapse of Jericho's walls?</a> <a href="/q/how_reconcile_joshua_20's_mercy_with_6's_violence.htm">How can the compassionate approach to accidental killers in Joshua 20 be reconciled with the violent conquests described earlier, such as in Joshua 6? </a> <a href="/q/how_does_joshua_20_1-6_align_with_mosaic_laws.htm">How does the system of protection for manslaughter in Joshua 20:1–6 align or conflict with other Mosaic laws on homicide and justice? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 6. - Until he stand before the congregation. That is, until he had had a fair trial. It was no object of the Jewish law to make a man a victim to passion. Until the death of the high priest. The further to protect the unwitting homicide from the consequences of an unjust revenge, he was, if innocent, to return to the city of refuge, and to dwell there until there was reasonable ground to suppose that the anger of the relatives of the slain man should have abated. This is clear from <a href="/numbers/35-24.htm">Numbers 35:24, 25</a>. Why the period of the death of the high priest should have been fixed upon is not easy to explain. Keil thinks it is because the death of the high priest was typical of the death of Christ, and refers to <a href="/hebrews/9-14.htm">Hebrews 9:14, 15</a>. But the reference is not to the point. The high priest's death was in no sense typical of the death of Christ. His yearly entrance into the holy place once a year, on the Day of Atonement, was so typical. It might have been supposed that this yearly atonement would have been regarded as a propitiation for all the sins committed during the year. Certainly the fact that the high priest died the common death of all men, and the inauguration of his successor to fill his place could in no way be regarded as an atonement for sin. There is more force in Bahr's suggestion in his 'Symbolik' (2:52). The high priest, on this view, is the head of the theocracy, the representative of the covenant. He concentrates in his person (so Bahr puts it in another place - see vol. 2:13) the whole people of Israel in their religious aspect. His death, therefore, stands in a connection with the life of Israel which that of no other man could do. "It is," says Maimonides ('Moreh Nevochim,' 3.40), "the death of the most honoured and beloved man in all Israel. His death plunges the whole community into such distress that private sorrow is lost in the general affliction." Thus the covenant in a way recommences with the inauguration of the new high priest. Bahr complains that Philo has carried this view to an extravagant and fanciful extent. Hengstenberg ('Geschichte des Reiches Gottes,' vol. 2, sec. 3, p. 258) takes the same view as Maimonides, that the high priest's death was "a great calamity," affecting the whole nation. <a href="/commentaries/joshua/20-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>He is to stay וְיָשַׁ֣ב ׀ (wə·yā·šaḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry in that הַהִ֗יא (ha·hî) Article | Pronoun - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are city בָּעִ֣יר (bā·‘îr) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement until עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while he stands עָמְד֞וֹ (‘ā·mə·ḏōw) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5975.htm">Strong's 5975: </a> To stand, in various relations trial לַמִּשְׁפָּ֔ט (lam·miš·pāṭ) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style before לִפְנֵ֤י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face the assembly הָֽעֵדָה֙ (hā·‘ê·ḏāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5712.htm">Strong's 5712: </a> A stated assemblage and until עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while the death מוֹת֙ (mō·wṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4194.htm">Strong's 4194: </a> Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin of the high הַגָּד֔וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl) Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> Great, older, insolent priest הַכֹּהֵ֣ן (hak·kō·hên) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest serving יִהְיֶ֖ה (yih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be at that הָהֵ֑ם (hā·hêm) Article | Pronoun - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> They time. בַּיָּמִ֣ים (bay·yā·mîm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day Then אָ֣ז ׀ (’āz) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_227.htm">Strong's 227: </a> At that time, place, therefore the manslayer הָרוֹצֵ֗חַ (hā·rō·w·ṣê·aḥ) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7523.htm">Strong's 7523: </a> To dash in pieces, kill, to murder may return יָשׁ֣וּב (yā·šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again to his own home בֵּית֔וֹ (bê·ṯōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house in the city עִירוֹ֙ (‘î·rōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement from which אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that he fled.? נָ֥ס (nās) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> To flit, vanish away <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/20-6.htm">Joshua 20:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/joshua/20-6.htm">Joshua 20:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/joshua/20-6.htm">Joshua 20:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/joshua/20-6.htm">Joshua 20:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/joshua/20-6.htm">Joshua 20:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/20-6.htm">Joshua 20:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/20-6.htm">Joshua 20:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/20-6.htm">Joshua 20:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/20-6.htm">Joshua 20:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/joshua/20-6.htm">Joshua 20:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/joshua/20-6.htm">OT History: Joshua 20:6 He shall dwell in that city until (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/20-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 20:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 20:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/20-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 20:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 20:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>