Joshua 20:9

Authorized King James Version

These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.

Word-by-Word Analysis

אֵ֣לֶּה

H428

these or those

הָיוּ֩

H1961

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

עָרֵ֨י

H5892

These were the cities

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַמּֽוּעָדָ֜ה

H4152

appointed

an appointed place, i.e., asylum

לְכֹ֣ל׀

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּנֵ֣י

H1121

for all the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְלַגֵּר֙

H1616

and for the stranger

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

הַגָּ֣ר

H1481

that sojourneth

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

#10

בְּתוֹכָ֔ם

H8432

among

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

#11

לָנ֣וּס

H5127

might flee

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

#12

שָׁ֔מָּה

H8033

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

#13

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#14

מַכֵּה

H5221

them that whosoever killeth

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

#15

נֶ֖פֶשׁ

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

#16

בִּשְׁגָגָ֑ה

H7684

at unawares

a mistake or inadvertent transgression

#17

וְלֹ֣א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#18

יָמ֗וּת

H4191

thither and not die

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#19

בְּיַד֙

H3027

by the hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#20

גֹּאֵ֣ל

H1350

of 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

#21

הַדָּ֔ם

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

#22

עַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#23

עָמְד֖וֹ

H5975

until he stood

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

#24

לִפְנֵ֥י

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#25

הָֽעֵדָֽה׃

H5712

the congregation

a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Joshua. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Joshua Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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