Bible Strands
Joshua 20:2
“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD speaks to Joshua at the beginning of the chapter’s legal directive, commanding him to relay a specific mandate to the Israelite leadership.
The words — דַּבֵּ֛ר (da.Ber) translates to “speak” and תְּנ֤וּ (te.Nu) translates to “assign,” structuring the command as both verbal proclamation and practical allocation.
The thread — The text directly implements the earlier statutes of Deuteronomy 19:2 and fulfills the procedural requirements outlined in Numbers 35:6 and Numbers 35:11.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to acknowledge that divine provision for justice operates through designated locations and demands active obedience to prior Mosaic law.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 19:2 then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.
- Numbers 35:6 Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities.
- Numbers 35:11 designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there.
- Deuteronomy 4:41 Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east
- Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
- Exodus 21:13 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.
- Romans 8:33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
- 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.