And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.
JOSHUA 20:6KJVWhat does Joshua 20:6 mean?
Joshua 20:6 explains that someone who accidentally kills another person must stay in a designated city of refuge until they stand trial before the community and until the current high priest dies; after these events, the person is allowed to return safely to their own home and city. This verse sets out how long the person must remain protected in the city of refuge and when they are free to leave.
In this part of Joshua, God is giving instructions through Joshua to the Israelites about cities of refuge—places where someone who killed another unintentionally could find safety from revenge. The verse describes the legal process: the person must remain in the city (not just visit) until both a formal judgment by the community and the death of the high priest, which marked a kind of reset or closure. Only then could the person safely return home without fear of retaliation.
The Hebrew behind Joshua 20:6
- The word "dwell" (יָשַׁב, yashav) means to settle or remain, emphasizing that the person must live in the city of refuge, not just stay temporarily.
- "Congregation" (עֵדָה, edah) refers to the assembled community or the people of Israel, showing that the judgment is a communal responsibility, not just a private matter.
- "Judgment" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat) points to a formal legal decision, highlighting that the person's case is to be properly examined, not decided by mob justice.
- "High priest" (כֹּהֵן, kohen) refers to the chief religious leader; his death is a key event that allows the person to return, suggesting a link between religious leadership and the community's sense of justice and closure.
Why Joshua 20:6 matters
- Joshua 20:6 clarifies that the city of refuge was not a permanent exile but a temporary protection until due process and a significant religious event (the high priest’s death) occurred.
- The verse shows the balance between justice and mercy in ancient Israel: the person is protected from revenge but still faces a fair trial before the community.
- This instruction ties the fate of the person to the high priest, connecting civil justice with the nation’s spiritual leadership and marking the death of the high priest as a moment of new beginning for those in refuge.