Joshua 20:3
“That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.”
Joshua 20:3 in 7 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
- DRADouay–Rheims
- That whosoever shall kill a person unawares may flee to them: and may escape the wrath of the kinsman, who is the avenger of blood:
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- that 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.
- DARBYDarby
- that the slayer who unwittingly without intent smiteth any one mortally may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
- WEBThe World English Bible
- that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there. They shall be to you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- 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.
- BPVBiblePics Version
- These cities are for anyone who accidentally kills another person, allowing them to escape there and find safety from the avenger of blood.
Context: Joshua 20
1The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,
2Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
3That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
4And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, 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 the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.
About Joshua 20: Cities of Refuge
Joshua sets aside cities of refuge for those who have killed someone unintentionally.
Commentary
Joshua chapter 20 is a continuation of the narrative from the previous chapter, in which God commands Joshua to set aside cities of refuge for those who have committed unintentional manslaughter. In this chapter, Joshua follows God's command and sets aside six cities of refuge, three on each side of the Jordan River.