Joshua 20:3
Joshua 20:3 in Multiple Translations
so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly and unawares may flee thither: and they shall be unto you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
So that any man who in error and without design has taken the life of another, may go in flight to them: and they will be safe places for you from him who has the right of punishment for blood.
Then any man who kills somebody by accident, unintentionally, can run there and they will be protected from those who wish to take revenge.
That the slaier that killeth any person by ignorance, and vnwittingly, may flee thither, and they shall be your refuge from the auenger of blood.
for the fleeing thither of a man-slayer smiting life inadvertently, without knowledge; and they have been to you for a refuge from the redeemer of blood.
that the man slayer who kills any person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there. They shall be to you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and ignorantly, may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
That whosoever shall kill a person unawares may flee to them: and may escape the wrath of the kinsman, who is the avenger of blood:
If someone kills another person accidentally, not intending to kill that person, the one who killed that person may run/escape to one of these cities and be safe/protected from someone trying to get revenge for that person’s death [MTY].
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 20:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joshua 20:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לָ/נ֥וּס
שָׁ֨מָּ/ה֙
רוֹצֵ֔חַ
מַכֵּה
נֶ֥פֶשׁ
בִּ/שְׁגָגָ֖ה
בִּ/בְלִי
דָ֑עַת
וְ/הָי֤וּ
לָ/כֶם֙
לְ/מִקְלָ֔ט
מִ/גֹּאֵ֖ל
הַ/דָּֽם
לָ/נ֥וּס
nûwç
H5127
to flee
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
שָׁ֨מָּ/ה֙
shâm
H8033
there
Adv | Suff
רוֹצֵ֔חַ
râtsach
H7523
to murder
V-Qal
מַכֵּה
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
V-Hiphil
נֶ֥פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs
בִּ/שְׁגָגָ֖ה
shᵉgâgâh
H7684
unintentionally
Prep | N-fs
בִּ/בְלִי
bᵉlîy
H1097
without
Prep | N-ms
דָ֑עַת
daʻath
H1847
knowledge
N-fs
וְ/הָי֤וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3cp
לָ/כֶם֙
Prep | Suff
לְ/מִקְלָ֔ט
miqlâṭ
H4733
refuge
Prep | N-ms
מִ/גֹּאֵ֖ל
gâʼal
H1350
to redeem
Prep | V-Qal
הַ/דָּֽם
dâm
H1818
blood
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 20:3
לָ/נ֥וּס
nûwç
H5127
"to flee"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To flee means to quickly leave a place, like escaping from danger, as seen in the Bible when David fled from King Saul. It can also mean to disappear or vanish. In the book of Psalms, it describes God delivering his people from harm.
Definition: 1) to flee, escape 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to flee 1a2) to escape 1a3) to take flight, m depart, disappear 1a4) to fly (to the attack) on horseback 1b) (Polel) to drive at 1c) (Hithpolel) to take flight 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to put to flight 1d2) to drive hastily 1d3) to cause to disappear, hide Aramaic equivalent: nud (נוּד "to flee" H5111)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard. See also: Genesis 14:10; 2 Samuel 17:2; Psalms 60:6.
שָׁ֨מָּ/ה֙
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv | Suff
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
רוֹצֵ֔חַ
râtsach
H7523
"to murder"
V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to murder or kill someone, like Cain killing Abel in Genesis. It emphasizes the intentional act of taking a human life. This word is about premeditated killing.
Definition: 1) to murder, slay, kill 1a)(Qal) to murder, slay 1a1) premeditated 1a2) accidental 1a3) as avenger 1a4) slayer (intentional) (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be slain 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to murder, assassinate 1c2) murderer, assassin (participle) (subst) 1d) (Pual) to be killed
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: put to death, kill, (man-) slay(-er), murder(-er). See also: Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 22:26; Psalms 62:4.
מַכֵּה
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
V-Hiphil
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
נֶ֥פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
בִּ/שְׁגָגָ֖ה
shᵉgâgâh
H7684
"unintentionally"
Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word means to sin unintentionally or make a mistake without realizing it, like in Leviticus 4:2 where it talks about sinning through ignorance. It emphasizes accidental wrongdoing. This concept is important in the Bible.
Definition: 1) sin, sin of error or inadvertence, inadvertent sin 1a) error
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: error, ignorance, at unawares; unwittingly. See also: Leviticus 4:2; Numbers 15:27; Ecclesiastes 10:5.
בִּ/בְלִי
bᵉlîy
H1097
"without"
Prep | N-ms
This word means without or nothing, often used for negation. It appears in various forms, such as without or not yet, in the Old Testament.
Definition: subst 1) wearing out adv of negation 2) without, no, not
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: corruption, ig(norantly), for lack of, where no...is, so that no, none, not, un(awares), without. See also: Genesis 31:20; Job 38:41; Psalms 19:4.
דָ֑עַת
daʻath
H1847
"knowledge"
N-fs
In the Bible, daath means knowledge or understanding, like when Solomon asked God for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:9. It involves skill and perception, and is often linked to wisdom. This concept appears in the book of Proverbs.
Definition: 1) knowledge 1a) knowledge, perception, skill 1b) discernment, understanding, wisdom
Usage: Occurs in 91 OT verses. KJV: cunning, (ig-) norantly, know(-ledge), (un-) awares (wittingly). See also: Genesis 2:9; Proverbs 14:7; Psalms 19:3.
וְ/הָי֤וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3cp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לָ/כֶם֙
""
Prep | Suff
לְ/מִקְלָ֔ט
miqlâṭ
H4733
"refuge"
Prep | N-ms
A refuge or asylum is a safe place to go for protection, like a shelter from harm. In the Bible, God is often called a refuge, as seen in Psalm 46. It is a place of safety and security.
Definition: refuge, asylum
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: refuge. See also: Numbers 35:6; Numbers 35:32; 1 Chronicles 6:52.
מִ/גֹּאֵ֖ל
gâʼal
H1350
"to redeem"
Prep | V-Qal
This Hebrew word means redemption, describing the act of a kinsman buying back a relative's property or marrying their widow, as seen in the story of Boaz in Ruth.
Definition: : redeem 1) to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin, act as kinsman-redeemer 1a1a) by marrying brother's widow to beget a child for him, to redeem from slavery, to redeem land, to exact vengeance 1a2) to redeem (by payment) 1a3) to redeem (with God as subject) 1a3a) individuals from death 1a3b) Israel from Egyptian bondage 1a3c) Israel from exile 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to redeem oneself 1b2) to be redeemed
Usage: Occurs in 84 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] in any wise, [idiom] at all, avenger, deliver, (do, perform the part of near, next) kinsfolk(-man), purchase, ransom, redeem(-er), revenger. See also: Genesis 48:16; Job 3:5; Psalms 19:15.
הַ/דָּֽם
dâm
H1818
"blood"
Art | N-ms
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Definition: 1) blood 1a) of wine (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 295 OT verses. KJV: blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent. See also: Genesis 4:10; Numbers 19:5; Psalms 5:7.
Study Notes — Joshua 20:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Six Cities of Refuge
1Then the LORD said to Joshua,
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.Joshua 20:3 Summary
Joshua 20:3 tells us that God designated special cities where people who had accidentally killed someone could go to be safe from revenge. This shows us that God cares about justice and protecting people's lives, as also seen in Exodus 20:13. Just like these cities were a refuge for people in ancient times, God is our refuge and protection today, as stated in Psalm 46:1. We can trust in Him to keep us safe and forgive us when we make mistakes, just like He promised in 1 John 1:9.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the cities of refuge in Joshua 20:3?
The cities of refuge were designated to provide a safe haven for individuals who had killed someone unintentionally, as stated in Joshua 20:3, to protect them from the avenger of blood, as explained in Numbers 35:12 and Deuteronomy 19:2-7.
How does this concept of unintentional killing relate to our lives today?
Although we may not have the same laws regarding avengers of blood, the principle of seeking refuge and forgiveness is still relevant, as seen in Psalm 32:7, which reminds us that God is our hiding place and refuge.
What can we learn from the fact that these cities were designated by God?
The fact that God instructed the designation of these cities, as mentioned in Joshua 20:2, highlights His concern for justice, mercy, and the protection of human life, as also seen in Exodus 20:13 and Matthew 5:21.
How does this verse relate to the concept of atonement and forgiveness?
The provision of cities of refuge points to the greater concept of atonement and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, who is our ultimate refuge and redeemer, as stated in Hebrews 6:18 and Romans 3:25.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can create a 'refuge' for others, providing a safe and supportive environment for them to share their struggles and find comfort?
- How can I apply the principle of seeking refuge and forgiveness in my own life, especially when I have unintentionally hurt or wronged someone?
- What does this verse teach me about God's character, particularly in regards to justice, mercy, and compassion?
- In what ways can I reflect the heart of God by providing refuge and support to those around me, as seen in Isaiah 58:6-12?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 20:3
That the slayer that killeth [any] person unawares, [and] unwittingly, may flee thither,.... Who through mere accident, and without design, killed a person, friend or foe, one of his own kindred, or
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 20:3
That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 20:3
Unawares and unwittingly, Heb. through ignorance, or error, or mistake, and without knowledge; the same thing twice repeated, to cut off all the claims and expectations that wilful murderers might have of protection here; and God having declared that such should be taken even from his altar, that they might be killed, ; and accordingly Joab was by Solomon’ s order killed even at the altar, ,34. It is the more strange and impudent that any Christians should make their sanctuaries give protection to such persons whom God hath so expressly excepted from it, which the papists do; and their doctors are not ashamed to defend it upon frivolous reasons. The avenger of blood; the kinsman, who had right or power to demand or take vengeance of the slaughter.
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 20:3
Joshua 20:3 That the slayer that killeth [any] person unawares [and] unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.Ver. 3. That killeth any person unawares and unwittingly.] Not presumptuously, with a high hand, and of forethought malice; but either by chance medley, as they call it, or in his own necessary defence, when he must either kill or be killed, and he cannot avoid it. For that tenet of Soto is false, Defensio cum interfectione est licita, quia fuga est ignominiosa.
Cambridge Bible on Joshua 20:3
3. That the slayer that killeth any person unawares] In accordance with these regulations a wide distinction was made between the man who committed wilful murder, and one who slew another by mistake, in ignorance, and unintentionally. (a) In the former case the guilty criminal met with no compassion from the Mosaic Code. He was regarded as accursed. The horns of the altar were to be no refuge for him. He was to be dragged from them by force to suffer his doom, nor could rank or wealth exempt him from it (Numbers 35:31-32). (b) In the latter case, where life had been taken unawares, a more merciful system of legislation intervened. In contradistinction to the customs of the Greeks and Romans and even of the Middle Ages, which made places of sanctuary available to criminals of every kind, the Jewish Lawgiver reserved them for unintentional acts of murder, and for these alone. The distinguishing marks of such acts are clearly laid down in Numbers 35:25-34; Deuteronomy 19:4-6. from the avenger of blood] “that he moue ascaap the wrath of the neiçboure, that is wreker of the blood,” Wyclif. The involuntary shedder of blood was permitted to take flight to a city of refuge.
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 20:3
3. Unawares and unwittingly — The design of the city of refuge was not to screen criminals, but to afford an opportunity to all accused of so grave a charge to show the absence of a guilty intent.