Joshua 20:2
New International Version
“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,

New Living Translation
“Now tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed Moses.

English Standard Version
“Say to the people of Israel, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,

Berean Standard Bible
“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,

King James Bible
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:

New King James Version
“Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,

New American Standard Bible
“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘Designate the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,

NASB 1995
“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘Designate the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,

NASB 1977
“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘Designate the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,

Legacy Standard Bible
“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘Designate the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you by the hand of Moses,

Amplified Bible
“Speak to the Israelites, saying, ‘Designate the cities of refuge (asylum), of which I spoke to you through Moses,

Christian Standard Bible
“Tell the Israelites: Select your cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Tell the Israelites: Select your cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,

American Standard Version
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Assign you the cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by Moses,

Contemporary English Version
When Moses was still alive, I commanded him to tell the Israelites about the Safe Towns. Now you tell them that it is time to set up these towns.

English Revised Version
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Assign you the cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Tell the people of Israel, 'Now choose for yourselves the cities of refuge about which I spoke to you through Moses.

Good News Translation
to say to the people of Israel, "Choose the cities of refuge that I had Moses tell you about.

International Standard Version
"Tell the people of Israel to set apart cities of refuge about which I spoke to you through Moses,

Majority Standard Bible
“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,

NET Bible
"Have the Israelites select the cities of refuge that I told you about through Moses.

New Heart English Bible
"Speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'Assign the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you by Moses,

Webster's Bible Translation
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint for you cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you by the hand of Moses:

World English Bible
“Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Assign the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you by Moses,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, Give cities of refuge for yourselves, as I have spoken to you by the hand of Moses,

Young's Literal Translation
'Speak unto the sons of Israel, saying, Give for you cities of refuge, as I have spoken unto you by the hand of Moses,

Smith's Literal Translation
Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, Ye shall give to yourselves cities of refuge which I spake to you by the hand of Moses:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Appoint cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you by the hand of Moses:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Separate the cities of refuge, about which I spoke to you by the hand of Moses,

New American Bible
Tell the Israelites: Designate for yourselves the cities of refuge of which I spoke to you through Moses,

New Revised Standard Version
“Say to the Israelites, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Reserve for you cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through my servant Moses;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Say to the children of Israel: “Leave for yourselves cities for salvation, according to what I said to you by the hand of my Servant Moshe
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Speak to the children of Israel, saying: Assign you the cities of refuge, whereof I spoke unto you by the hand of Moses;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Assign the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you by Moses.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Six Cities of Refuge
1Then the LORD said to Joshua, 2“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, 3so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood.…

Cross References
Numbers 35:9-15
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, / designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. ...

Deuteronomy 19:1-13
When the LORD your God has cut off the nations whose land He is giving you, and when you have driven them out and settled in their cities and houses, / then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess. / You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities. ...

Exodus 21:13
If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.

Hebrews 6:18
Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.

Numbers 35:6
Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities.

Deuteronomy 4:41-43
Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east / to which a manslayer could flee after killing his neighbor unintentionally without prior malice. To save one’s own life, he could flee to one of these cities: / Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau belonging to the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the Gadites, or Golan in Bashan belonging to the Manassites.

Acts 17:30-31
Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. / For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”

Psalm 46:1
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

1 Chronicles 6:57
So the descendants of Aaron were given Hebron (a city of refuge), Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa,

Matthew 5:21-22
You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

1 Kings 2:28-34
When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ...

Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 4:6
a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and the rain.

Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


Treasury of Scripture

Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spoke to you by the hand of Moses:

Appoint

Exodus 21:13,14
And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee…

Numbers 35:6,11-14
And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities…

Deuteronomy 4:41-43
Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sunrising; …

your refuge

Numbers 35:15-24
These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither…

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Appoint Assign Children Cities Designate Hand Israel Israelites Marked Moses Mouth Places Refuge Safe Speak Towns Whereof
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Appoint Assign Children Cities Designate Hand Israel Israelites Marked Moses Mouth Places Refuge Safe Speak Towns Whereof
Joshua 20
1. God commands
7. and the children of Israel appoint the six cities of refuge














Tell the Israelites
This phrase begins with a direct command from God to Joshua, emphasizing the importance of communication and leadership. The Hebrew root for "tell" is "dabar," which means to speak or declare. This highlights the role of Joshua as a mediator between God and the people, underscoring the importance of clear and faithful communication of God's will. Historically, this reflects the theocratic leadership structure of Israel, where God’s instructions were conveyed through appointed leaders.

Designate the cities of refuge
The term "designate" comes from the Hebrew word "natan," meaning to give or appoint. This indicates a deliberate and purposeful action, showing that these cities were not chosen randomly but were part of God’s divine plan for justice and mercy. The "cities of refuge" were a unique aspect of Israelite law, providing a safe haven for those who committed manslaughter unintentionally. This reflects God’s justice tempered with mercy, ensuring protection for the innocent while maintaining societal order.

as I instructed you through Moses
This phrase connects the current command to the past instructions given through Moses, highlighting the continuity and faithfulness of God’s promises. The reference to Moses serves as a reminder of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, and the importance of obedience to God’s law. It underscores the historical context of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, and the establishment of a society governed by divine law. This continuity assures the Israelites of God’s unchanging nature and His ongoing guidance.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Tell
דַּבֵּ֛ר (dab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

the Israelites
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

to designate
תְּנ֤וּ (tə·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the cities
עָרֵ֣י (‘ā·rê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of refuge,
הַמִּקְלָ֔ט (ham·miq·lāṭ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4733: Refuge, asylum

as
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I instructed
דִּבַּ֥רְתִּי (dib·bar·tî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

you through
בְּיַד־ (bə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

Moses,
מֹשֶֽׁה׃ (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver


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OT History: Joshua 20:2 Speak to the children of Israel saying (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 20:1
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