Later text
Joshua 20:4BSB
When 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.
Intertextuality Pair
Joshua 20:4 → Numbers 35:12
Allusion
Earlier text
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.
Significance
Joshua 20:3-6 implements the cities of refuge legislation first commanded in Numbers 35:12, carrying its key terms — the גֹּאֵל הַדָּם (go'el hadam, "avenger of blood," Joshua 20:3, 5, 9) and the trial before the עֵדָה (edah, "assembly," 20:6, 9). Where Numbers 35:12 establishes the legal principle that these cities serve as מִקְלָט (miqlat, "refuge") from the avenger until the manslayer stands trial, Joshua 20:4 itself adds the specific procedure — standing at the entrance of the city gate and presenting one's case before the elders, who then bring him in and give him a place to live. This implementation detail transforms Numbers' legislative command into operational judicial practice within the promised land.
- Found via
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
- Reference Type
- Allusion
- Connection Method(s)
- Redemptive-Historical Progression — the refuge legislation of Numbers 35:12 advances from wilderness command to functioning institution in the land: Joshua 20:4 adds the operating procedure (standing at the city gate, stating the case before the elders) by which the manslayer's protection until trial becomes settled judicial practice.
Linked Mentions 1