BibleWord.ai› Bible› Joshua› Chapter 20› Verse 2

Joshua 20:2

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 20:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Assign you the cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by Moses,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Assign you the cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by Moses,
Joshua 20:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And Jehovah spake unto Joshua, saying,
2Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Assign you the cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by Moses,
3that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly [and] unawares may flee thither: and they shall be unto you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
4And he shall flee unto one of those cities, and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city, and declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city; and they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.
5And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver up the manslayer into his hand; because he smote his neighbor unawares, and hated him not beforetime.
← Joshua 20:1Joshua 20:3 →
← Full Chapter 20 Joshua Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Speak to the children of Israel, saying, etc.] Whom the affair concerned the Lord spake to Joshua about, they having now the whole land divided among them: appoint out for you cities of refuge; of the name, nature, use, and number of these cities, (see Gill on “<043506>Numbers 35:6”); whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: (<043501>Numbers 35:1-34) (<051901>Deuteronomy 19:1-21).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Appoint - The possessions being now divided among you, reserve some of them for the use which I have commanded. Cities of refuge - Designed to typify the relief which the gospel provides for poor, penitent sinners, and their protection from the curse of the law and the wrath of God, in our Lord Jesus, to whom believers fly for refuge. Joshua 20:3”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Appoint: Exo 21:13, Exo 21:14; Num 35:6, Num 35:11-14; Deu 4:41-43, Deu 19:2-13; Rom 8:1, Rom 8:33, Rom 8:34; Heb 6:18, Heb 6:19 you refuge: Num 35:15-24 Joshua 20:4”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Joshua 20 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification