Joshua 20

Joshua 20:1

SPake] 1: e. Either visibly appearing unto him, as Joshua 5:15. or by propheticall revelation.

Joshua 20:2

stranger] 1: e. The proselyte converted to the Jews religion.

he stood] 1: e. Till his cause were heard in a judicious manner before the judges, in the great assembly of the people, and he found and pronounced guiltlesse.

Joshua 20:3

unwittingly] For no place might secure a wilfull murtherer, no not the temple nor altar, Exodus 21:14. 1 Kin. 2. 31, 34.

avenger of bleod] 1: e. From the kinred of the party slain, to whom the right of executing just revenge belonged.

Joshua 20:4

gate of the city] 1: e. The place of Judicature, which in those dayes used to be at the city gates.

shall declare his cause] 1: e. The manner of his fact, and what moved him to flee thither.

of the elders] That is, the magistrates and judges in that place.

shall take him] To wit, after he hath cleared himself of wilfull murther. See Numbers 35:22-23. Deuteronomy 19:4-5.

Joshua 20:6

he shall dwell in that city] To wit, if upon the hearing of his cause he be justified by the judges.

unto the death of the high priest] 1: e. Who was so when he committed the slaughter. By which figure was signified, That true and full liberty was onely to be obtained by the death of our high priest, Jusus Christ, John 8:36.

Joshua 20:7

they appointed] Hebr. they sanctified; 1: e. They consecrated for sanctuaries or places of refuge and safety, the cities which Moses formerly had appointed, Deut. 4. 41, 45.

mountain of Judah] 1: e. In the mountainous countrey in Judah, Luke 1:39; Luke 1:65.