Joshua 20:6
And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.
Original Language Analysis
וְיָשַׁ֣ב׀
And he shall dwell
H3427
וְיָשַׁ֣ב׀
And he shall dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
1 of 29
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
הָעִ֖יר
in that city
H5892
הָעִ֖יר
in that city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
2 of 29
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַהִ֗יא
H1931
הַהִ֗יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 29
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
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
4 of 29
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עָמְד֞וֹ
until he stand
H5975
עָמְד֞וֹ
until he stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
5 of 29
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לִפְנֵ֤י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֤י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 29
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הָֽעֵדָה֙
the congregation
H5712
הָֽעֵדָה֙
the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
7 of 29
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
לַמִּשְׁפָּ֔ט
for judgment
H4941
לַמִּשְׁפָּ֔ט
for judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
8 of 29
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
9 of 29
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מוֹת֙
and until the death
H4194
מוֹת֙
and until the death
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
10 of 29
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן
priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן
priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
11 of 29
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַגָּד֔וֹל
of the high
H1419
הַגָּד֔וֹל
of the high
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
12 of 29
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
אֲשֶׁר
that
H834
אֲשֶׁר
that
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִֽהְיֶ֖ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֖ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 29
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַּיָּמִ֣ים
shall be in those days
H3117
בַּיָּמִ֣ים
shall be in those days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
15 of 29
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
אָ֣ז׀
H227
יָשׁ֣וּב
return
H7725
יָשׁ֣וּב
return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
18 of 29
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
הָֽרוֹצֵ֗חַ
then shall the slayer
H7523
הָֽרוֹצֵ֗חַ
then shall the slayer
Strong's:
H7523
Word #:
19 of 29
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
הָעִ֖יר
in that city
H5892
הָעִ֖יר
in that city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
22 of 29
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
בֵּית֔וֹ
and unto his own house
H1004
בֵּית֔וֹ
and unto his own house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
24 of 29
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הָעִ֖יר
in that city
H5892
הָעִ֖יר
in that city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
26 of 29
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁר
that
H834
אֲשֶׁר
that
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
27 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Numbers 35:12And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.Hebrews 9:26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Historical Context
This law prevented revenge killings while acknowledging the seriousness of taking life, even accidentally. The high priest's death marked a generation's end, allowing societal reset. Josephus notes this prevented the manslayer's indefinite exile while honoring the victim's family.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the high priest's death releasing captives picture Christ's atoning sacrifice?
- What does dwelling in the refuge city teach about abiding in Christ daily?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days—Two conditions for freedom:
The high priest's death liberates—a profound type of Christ.
His death frees us from sin's penalty, restoring our true inheritance (Colossians 1:12-14). The manslayer cannot leave refuge until death occurs; likewise, we remain in Christ until His death's power fully manifests in our resurrection (Philippians 3:20-21).