Joshua 20:9
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.
Original Language Analysis
הָיוּ֩
H1961
הָיוּ֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 25
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עָרֵ֨י
These were the cities
H5892
עָרֵ֨י
These were the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 25
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
לְכֹ֣ל׀
H3605
לְכֹ֣ל׀
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּנֵ֣י
for all the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
for all the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 25
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
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 25
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְלַגֵּר֙
and for the stranger
H1616
וְלַגֵּר֙
and for the stranger
Strong's:
H1616
Word #:
8 of 25
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
הַגָּ֣ר
that sojourneth
H1481
הַגָּ֣ר
that sojourneth
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
9 of 25
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);
לָנ֣וּס
might flee
H5127
לָנ֣וּס
might flee
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
11 of 25
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
שָׁ֔מָּה
H8033
שָׁ֔מָּה
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
12 of 25
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַכֵּה
them that whosoever killeth
H5221
מַכֵּה
them that whosoever killeth
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
14 of 25
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
any person
H5315
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
any person
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
15 of 25
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָמ֗וּת
thither and not die
H4191
יָמ֗וּת
thither and not die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
18 of 25
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
בְּיַד֙
by the hand
H3027
בְּיַד֙
by the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
19 of 25
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
גֹּאֵ֣ל
of the avenger
H1350
גֹּאֵ֣ל
of the avenger
Strong's:
H1350
Word #:
20 of 25
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
הַדָּ֔ם
of blood
H1818
הַדָּ֔ם
of blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
21 of 25
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
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
22 of 25
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עָמְד֖וֹ
until he stood
H5975
עָמְד֖וֹ
until he stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
23 of 25
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
Historical Context
Including foreigners in Israel's justice system was revolutionary in the ancient Near East. Most legal codes granted rights only to citizens. This egalitarian principle reflected God's character and Israel's own history as strangers in Egypt (Exodus 22:21, 23:9).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the inclusion of 'strangers' in the refuge system reflect the gospel's universal offer?
- What modern applications exist for treating sojourners and foreigners with equal justice?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them—Refuge extends beyond ethnic Israel to the stranger (ger, גֵּר, 'sojourner/resident alien'). This inclusiveness foreshadows the gospel's universal offer. 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.
The 'whosoever' principle pervades Scripture (John 3:16, Romans 10:13). God's mercy isn't tribal or ethnic but universal. The stranger received equal protection, prefiguring Gentile inclusion in Christ. The condition: coming to the refuge. Christ saves 'whosoever' believes—but they must come.