Joshua 20

Jos 20:1-6.

THE

LORD

COMMANDS THE

CITIES OF

REFUGE.

1-3. The Lord spake unto Joshua . . . Appoint out for you cities of

refuge--(See

Nu 35:9-28;

De 19:1-13).

The command here recorded was given on their going to occupy their

allotted settlements. The sanctuaries were not temples or altars, as in

other countries, but inhabited cities; and the design was not to screen

criminals, but only to afford the homicide protection from the

vengeance of the deceased's relatives until it should have been

ascertained whether the death had resulted from accident and momentary

passion, or from premeditated malice. The institution of the cities of

refuge, together with the rules prescribed for the guidance of those

who sought an asylum within their walls, was an important provision,

tending to secure the ends of justice as well as of mercy.

4. he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the

entering of the gate of the city--It was the place of public resort,

and on arriving there he related his tale of distress to the elders,

who were bound to give him shelter and the means of support, until the

local authorities

(Jos 20:6),

having carefully investigated the case, should have pronounced the

decision. If found guilty, the manslayer was surrendered to the

blood-avenger; if extenuating circumstances appeared, he was to remain

in the city of refuge, where he would be safe from the vindictive

feelings of his pursuers; but he forfeited the privilege of immunity

the moment he ventured beyond the walls.

6. until the death of the high priest--His death secured the complete

deliverance of the manslayer from his sin, only because he had been

anointed with the holy oil

(Nu 35:25),

the symbol of the Holy Ghost; and thus the death of the earthly high

priest became a type of that of the heavenly one

(Heb 9:14, 15).

Jos 20:7-9.

THE

ISRAELITES

APPOINT BY

NAME THE

CITIES OF

REFUGE.

7-9. they appointed . . . cities--There were six;

three on the west, and three on the east, of Jordan. In the first

instance, they were a provision of the criminal law of the Hebrews,

necessary in the circumstances of that people (see on

Nu 35:11;

De 19:2).

At the same time they were designed also typically to point out the

sinner's way to Christ

(Heb 6:18).