Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Any of the Israelites or any foreigner residing among them who killed someone accidentally could flee to these designated cities and not be killed by the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly. New Living Translation These cities were set apart for all the Israelites as well as the foreigners living among them. Anyone who accidentally killed another person could take refuge in one of these cities. In this way, they could escape being killed in revenge prior to standing trial before the local assembly. English Standard Version These were the cities designated for all the people of Israel and for the stranger sojourning among them, that anyone who killed a person without intent could flee there, so that he might not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, till he stood before the congregation. Berean Standard Bible These 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. King James Bible These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation. New King James Version These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel and for the stranger who dwelt among them, that whoever killed a person accidentally might flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood until he stood before the congregation. New American Standard Bible These were the designated cities for all the sons of Israel and for the stranger who resides among them, so that whoever kills a person unintentionally may flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood until he stands before the congregation. NASB 1995 These were the appointed cities for all the sons of Israel and for the stranger who sojourns among them, that whoever kills any person unintentionally may flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood until he stands before the congregation. NASB 1977 These were the appointed cities for all the sons of Israel and for the stranger who sojourns among them, that whoever kills any person unintentionally may flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood until he stands before the congregation. Legacy Standard Bible These were the appointed cities for all the sons of Israel and for the sojourner who sojourns among them, that whoever strikes down any person unintentionally may flee there and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood until he stands before the congregation. Amplified Bible These were the appointed cities for all the Israelites and for the stranger sojourning (living temporarily) among them, so that whoever killed any person unintentionally may flee there, and not die by the hand of the blood avenger until he had stood before the congregation [for judgment]. Christian Standard Bible These are the cities appointed for all the Israelites and the aliens residing among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there and not die at the hand of the avenger of blood until he stands before the assembly. Holman Christian Standard Bible These 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 at the hand of the avenger of blood until he stands before the assembly. American Standard Version These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person unwittingly might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation. Contemporary English Version These Safe Towns were set up, so that if Israelites or even foreigners who lived in Israel accidentally killed someone, they could run to one of these towns. There they would be safe until a trial could be held, even if one of the victim's relatives came looking for revenge. English Revised Version These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person unwittingly might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation. GOD'S WORD® Translation These are the cities chosen as cities of refuge for all Israelites, including the foreigners living among them. Anyone who accidentally kills someone may escape to these cities. Then he will not be handed over to the relative who can avenge a death before he stands trial in front of the congregation. Good News Translation These were the cities of refuge chosen for all the people of Israel and for any foreigner living among them. Any who killed a person accidentally could find protection there from the one looking for revenge; they could not be killed unless they had first received a public trial. International Standard Version These were appointed to be cities for all the Israelis and for the foreigner who lives among them, so that whoever kills anyone unintentionally may run there and not die at the hands of a closely related avenger until he stands for trial before the community. Majority Standard Bible These 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. NET Bible These were the cities of refuge appointed for all the Israelites and for resident foreigners living among them. Anyone who accidentally killed someone could escape there and not be executed by the avenger of blood, at least until his case was reviewed by the assembly. New Heart English Bible These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger who sojourns among them, that whoever kills any person unintentionally might flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stands before the congregation. Webster's Bible Translation These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger sojourning among them, that whoever should kill any person unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation. World English Bible These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel, and for the alien who lives among them, that whoever kills any person unintentionally might flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stands trial before the congregation. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThese have been cities of meeting for all the sons of Israel, and for a sojourner who is sojourning in their midst, for the fleeing there of anyone striking life through ignorance, and he does not die by the hand of the redeemer of blood until his standing before the congregation. Young's Literal Translation These have been cities of meeting for all the sons of Israel, and for a sojourner who is sojourning in their midst, for the fleeing thither of any one smiting life inadvertently, and he doth not die by the hand of the redeemer of blood till his standing before the company. Smith's Literal Translation These were cities of appointment for all the sons of Israel, and for the stranger sojourning in the midst of them, to flee there, every one smiting a soul in mistake: and he shall not die by the hand of the nearest relation of blood till his standing before the assembly. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThese cities were appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the strangers, that dwelt among them: that whosoever had killed a person unawares might flee to them, and not die by the hand of the kinsman, coveting to revenge the blood that was shed, until he should stand before the people to lay open his cause. Catholic Public Domain Version These cities were established for all the sons of Israel, and for the new arrivals who were living among them, so that whoever had struck down a life unintentionally might flee to these, and not die at the hand of a close relative who desires to vindicate the blood that was shed, until he should stand before the people, in order to present his case. New American Bible These are the designated cities to which any Israelite or alien residing among them who had killed a person unintentionally might flee to escape death at the hand of the avenger of blood, until the killer could appear before the community. New Revised Standard Version These were the cities designated for all the Israelites, and for the aliens residing among them, that anyone who killed a person without intent could flee there, so as not to die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until there was a trial before the congregation. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThese were the cities set apart for all the children of Israel and for the strangers that sojourned among them, that any one who killed a person unawares might flee there, and not be delivered into the hand of the avenger of blood, until he had stood before the congregation. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated These are the cities of salvation and of the place of refuge for all the children of Israel and for the settlers who dwell among them that will be escaping there, everyone who kills a life suddenly, that he would not be delivered into the hand of him who seeks vengeance of blood, until he shall stand before the assembly in judgment OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person through error might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation. Brenton Septuagint Translation These were the cities selected for the sons of Israel, and for the stranger abiding among them, that every one who smites a soul unintentionally should flee thither, that he should not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he should stand before the congregation for judgement. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Six Cities of Refuge…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. Cross References Numbers 35:9-34 Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, / designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. ... Deuteronomy 19:1-13 When the LORD your God has cut off the nations whose land He is giving you, and when you have driven them out and settled in their cities and houses, / then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess. / You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities. ... Exodus 21:12-14 Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. / 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. / But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death. Hebrews 6:18 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. Acts 17:30-31 Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. / For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Psalm 46:1 For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Matthew 5:21-22 You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. 1 Corinthians 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Leviticus 24:17 And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death. 1 Kings 2:28-34 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.” ... 2 Samuel 14:14 For we will surely die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life, but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him. Isaiah 42:7 to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house. Ezekiel 18:32 For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live! Treasury of Scripture These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojournes among them, that whoever kills any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation. the cities Numbers 35:15 These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither. until he stood Joshua 20:4,6 And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them… Jump to Previous Appointed Avenger Blood Children Cities Congregation Die Hand Israel Kill Killeth Kills Sojourneth Sojourning Sojourns Stands Stood Stranger Thither Unawares UnintentionallyJump to Next Appointed Avenger Blood Children Cities Congregation Die Hand Israel Kill Killeth Kills Sojourneth Sojourning Sojourns Stands Stood Stranger Thither Unawares UnintentionallyJoshua 20 1. God commands7. and the children of Israel appoint the six cities of refuge These were the cities designated The phrase "These were the cities designated" refers to the specific cities of refuge established by God through Moses and Joshua. The Hebrew root for "designated" is "קָדַשׁ" (qadash), meaning to set apart or consecrate. These cities were not ordinary; they were sanctified spaces, symbolizing God's provision and justice. Historically, these cities were strategically located throughout Israel to be accessible to all, reflecting God's fairness and mercy. for all the Israelites and for any foreigner residing among them so that anyone who killed a person unintentionally could flee there and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood until he stood trial before the assembly
Hebrew Theseאֵ֣לֶּה (’êl·leh) Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those are הָיוּ֩ (hā·yū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be the cities עָרֵ֨י (‘ā·rê) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 5892: Excitement appointed הַמּֽוּעָדָ֜ה (ham·mū·‘ā·ḏāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4152: An appointed place, asylum for all לְכֹ֣ל ׀ (lə·ḵōl) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the Israelites בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son and foreigners וְלַגֵּר֙ (wə·lag·gêr) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1616: A guest, a foreigner among them, בְּתוֹכָ֔ם (bə·ṯō·w·ḵām) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre so that anyone כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every who kills מַכֵּה־ (mak·kêh-) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct Strong's 5221: To strike a person נֶ֖פֶשׁ (ne·p̄eš) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion unintentionally בִּשְׁגָגָ֑ה (biš·ḡā·ḡāh) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7684: A mistake, inadvertent transgression may flee לָנ֣וּס (lā·nūs) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away there שָׁ֔מָּה (šām·māh) Adverb | third person feminine singular Strong's 8033: There, then, thither and not וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no die יָמ֗וּת (yā·mūṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill by the hand בְּיַד֙ (bə·yaḏ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3027: A hand of the avenger גֹּאֵ֣ל (gō·’êl) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman of blood הַדָּ֔ם (had·dām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed prior עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while to standing [trial] עָמְד֖וֹ (‘ā·mə·ḏōw) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations before לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face the assembly. הָעֵדָֽה׃ (hā·‘ê·ḏāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage Links Joshua 20:9 NIVJoshua 20:9 NLT Joshua 20:9 ESV Joshua 20:9 NASB Joshua 20:9 KJV Joshua 20:9 BibleApps.com Joshua 20:9 Biblia Paralela Joshua 20:9 Chinese Bible Joshua 20:9 French Bible Joshua 20:9 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 20:9 These were the appointed cities for all (Josh. Jos) |