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 20:6KJV
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Joshua 20:6 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“slayer” Hebrew H7523 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.
  • Numbers 35:30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
  • Joshua 21:32 And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.

“that” Hebrew H834 · used in 105 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
  • Deuteronomy 11:8 Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:24 Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
  • Numbers 31:13 And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them without the camp.

“fled” Hebrew H5127 · used in 143 verses

  • Genesis 14:10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
  • Judges 9:21 And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:14 So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.