201 And Jehovah speaketh unto Joshua, saying, 2 'Speak unto the sons of Israel, saying, Give for you cities of refuge, as I have spoken unto you by the hand of Moses, 3 for the fleeing thither of a man-slayer smiting life inadvertently, without knowledge; and they have been to you for a refuge from the redeemer of blood. 4 'When 'one' hath fled unto one of these cities, and hath stood 'at' the opening of the gate of the city, and hath spoken in the ears of the elders of that city his matter, then they have gathered him into the city unto them, and have given to him a place, and he hath dwelt with them. 5 'And when the redeemer of blood doth pursue after him, then they do not shut up the man-slayer into his hand, for without knowledge he hath smitten his neighbour, and is not hating him hitherto; 6 and he hath dwelt in that city till his standing before the company for judgment, till the death of the chief priest who is in those days—then doth the man-slayer turn back and hath come unto his city, and unto his house, unto the city whence he fled.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 20:1-6
Commentary on Joshua 20:1-6
(Read Joshua 20:1-6)
When the Israelites were settled in their promised inheritance, they were reminded to set apart the cities of refuge, whose use and typical meaning have been explained, Hebrews 6:18.