Joshua 20:4
And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.
Original Language Analysis
וְנָ֞ס
And when he that doth flee
H5127
וְנָ֞ס
And when he that doth flee
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
1 of 25
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
אַחַ֣ת׀
unto one
H259
אַחַ֣ת׀
unto one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
3 of 25
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
הָעִ֙ירָה֙
him into the city
H5892
הָעִ֙ירָה֙
him into the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
4 of 25
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְעָמַד֙
shall stand
H5975
וְעָמַד֙
shall stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
6 of 25
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
פֶּ֚תַח
at the entering
H6607
פֶּ֚תַח
at the entering
Strong's:
H6607
Word #:
7 of 25
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
הָעִ֙ירָה֙
him into the city
H5892
הָעִ֙ירָה֙
him into the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
9 of 25
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְדִבֶּ֛ר
and shall declare
H1696
וְדִבֶּ֛ר
and shall declare
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
10 of 25
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בְּאָזְנֵ֛י
in the ears
H241
בְּאָזְנֵ֛י
in the ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
11 of 25
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
הָעִ֙ירָה֙
him into the city
H5892
הָעִ֙ירָה֙
him into the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
13 of 25
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַהִ֖יא
H1931
הַהִ֖יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
14 of 25
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דְּבָרָ֑יו
his cause
H1697
דְּבָרָ֑יו
his cause
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
16 of 25
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וְאָֽסְפ֨וּ
they shall take
H622
וְאָֽסְפ֨וּ
they shall take
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
17 of 25
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
אֹת֤וֹ
H853
אֹת֤וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעִ֙ירָה֙
him into the city
H5892
הָעִ֙ירָה֙
him into the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
19 of 25
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְנָֽתְנוּ
unto them and give
H5414
וְנָֽתְנוּ
unto them and give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
21 of 25
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
מָק֖וֹם
him a place
H4725
מָק֖וֹם
him a place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
23 of 25
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
Historical Context
City gates were ancient Israel's judicial centers where elders adjudicated cases (Ruth 4:1-2, Deuteronomy 21:19). The refuge system balanced justice (punishing murderers) with mercy (protecting accidental killers). This prevented blood feuds from perpetuating violence.
Questions for Reflection
- How is 'fleeing to Christ' for refuge similar to the manslayer fleeing to the city?
- What role do spiritual 'elders' (Scripture, Spirit, church) play in confirming your asylum in Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders—The cities of refuge protocol: the fugitive must declare his cause (diber, דִּבֶּר, 'speak/explain thoroughly'). The elders evaluate whether the killing was accidental. They shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them grants asylum.
This pictures the gospel: fleeing sinners find refuge in Christ by appealing to 'elders' (the Word, Spirit, church) who testify to grace. The manslayer must come to the gate—we must come to Christ. He provides place (John 14:2-3) and dwelling (abiding, John 15:4). Refuge requires intentional seeking.