Joshua 20:3

Authorized King James Version

That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

Word-by-Word Analysis

לָנ֥וּס

H5127

may flee

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

שָׁ֙מָּה֙

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

רוֹצֵ֔חַ

H7523

That the slayer

properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder

מַכֵּה

H5221

that killeth

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

נֶ֥פֶשׁ

H5315

any person

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

בִּשְׁגָגָ֖ה

H7684

unawares

a mistake or inadvertent transgression

בִּבְלִי

H1097

properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc

דָ֑עַת

H1847

and unwittingly

knowledge

וְהָי֤וּ

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#10

לָכֶם֙

#11

לְמִקְלָ֔ט

H4733

thither and they shall be your refuge

an asylum (as a receptacle)

#12

מִגֹּאֵ֖ל

H1350

from the avenger

to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido

#13

הַדָּֽם׃

H1818

of blood

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

Analysis

Within the broader context of Joshua, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Joshua.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within Joshua chapter 20 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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