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. Now 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. He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the manslayer may return to his own home in the city from which he fled."
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 20:4-6 directly implements the legislative framework of Numbers 35:12 for the cities of refuge (עָרֵי מִקְלָט, arey miqlat), expanding it with procedural specifics. Both texts stipulate protection from the גֹּאֵל הַדָּם (go'el hadam, "avenger of blood") and trial before the עֵדָה (edah, "congregation"). Joshua 20:6 adds the critical detail that the manslayer must remain in the city "until the death of the high priest" (מוֹת הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל), a provision also found in Numbers 35:25, after which the slayer may return home. This passage demonstrates Joshua faithfully executing the Mosaic legislation once Israel enters the land, turning wilderness-era commands into functioning judicial institutions.
Found via
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type
Allusion
Connection Method(s)
Redemptive-Historical Progression — Numbers 35:12's legislative framework for the cities of refuge is implemented in the land with its full procedure, including residence "until the death of the high priest": wilderness-era command becomes operating judicial institution as the redemptive story advances into the inheritance.
