Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They are to stay in that city until they have stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then they may go back to their own home in the town from which they fled.” New Living Translation But the slayer must stay in that city and be tried by the local assembly, which will render a judgment. And he must continue to live in that city until the death of the high priest who was in office at the time of the accident. After that, he is free to return to his own home in the town from which he fled.” English Standard Version And he shall remain in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, until the death of him who is high priest at the time. Then the manslayer may return to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled.’” Berean Standard Bible He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the manslayer may return to his own home in the city from which he fled.” Berean Literal Bible And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the face of the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest who is in those days. Then the manslayer may return and come to his own city and his own house, to the city from which he fled.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the slayer may return and come to his own city and his own house, to the city from which he fled.’ ” New American Standard Bible And he shall remain in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then he shall return to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled.’” NASB 1995 ‘He shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the manslayer shall return to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled.’” NASB 1977 ‘And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the manslayer shall return to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled.’” Legacy Standard Bible And he shall live in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the manslayer shall return and come to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled.’” Amplified Bible He shall live in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment [and if acquitted of murder he must stay there], until the death of the one who is the high priest in those days. Then the offender (manslayer) shall return to his own city and his own house from which he fled.’” Berean Annotated Bible He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the manslayer may return to his own home in the city from which he fled. Christian Standard Bible He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the one who committed manslaughter may return home to his own city from which he fled.” Holman Christian Standard Bible He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the one who committed manslaughter may return home to his own city from which he fled.” American Standard Version And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the manslayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled. Contemporary English Version The citizens of that Safe Town must come together and hold a trial. They may decide that the victim was killed accidentally and that the accused is not guilty of murder. Everyone found not guilty must still live in the Safe Town until the high priest dies. Then they can go back to their own towns and their homes that they had to leave behind. English Revised Version And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the manslayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled. GOD'S WORD® Translation The accused person may remain in that city until he can stand trial in front of the congregation or until whoever is chief priest at that time dies. Then he may go back to his home in the city from which he ran away.'" Good News Translation You may stay in the city until you have received a public trial and until the death of the man who is then the High Priest. Then you may go back home to your own town, from which you had run away." International Standard Version He is to live in that city until he stands trial before the community, until the death of the one who is high priest at that time. Then the killer may return to his own city and to his own home, that is, to the city from which he fled." NET Bible He must remain in that city until his case is decided by the assembly and the high priest dies. Then the one who committed manslaughter may return home to the city from which he escaped." New Heart English Bible He shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days. Then the manslayer shall return, and come to his own city, and to his own house, to the city he fled from.'" Webster's Bible Translation And he shall dwell in that city, until he shall 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 to his own city, and to his own house, to the city from whence he fled. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the manslayer may return to his own home in the city from which he fled.” World English Bible He shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days. Then the man slayer shall return, and come to his own city, and to his own house, to the city he fled from.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he has dwelt in that city until his standing before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the chief priest who is in those days—then the manslayer turns back and has come to his city, and to his house, to the city from where he fled.” Berean Literal Bible And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the face of the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest who is in those days. Then the manslayer may return and come to his own city and his own house, to the city from which he fled.” Young's Literal Translation 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.' Smith's Literal Translation And he shall dwell in that city till his standing before the assembly for judgment, till the death of the great priest which shall be in those days: then the slayer shall turn back and come to his city and to his house, to the city which he fled from there. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he shall dwell in that city, till he stand before judgment to give an account of his fact, and till the death of the high priest, who shall be at that time: then shall the manslayer return, and go into his own city and house from whence he fled. Catholic Public Domain Version And he shall live in that city, until he stands before judgment in order to render the facts of his case, and until the death of the high priest, whoever it will be in that time. Then the one who killed a man may return, and he may enter his own city and house, from which he had fled.” New American Bible Once he has stood judgment before the community, he shall live on in that city until the death of the high priest who is in office at the time. Then the killer may return home to the city from where he originally fled. New Revised Standard Version The slayer shall remain in that city until there is a trial before the congregation, until the death of the one who is high priest at the time: then the slayer may return home, to the town in which the deed was done.’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd 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 the slayer shall return, and come to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the assembly in judgment, until the Great Priest will die who will preside in those days, and then the manslayer shall return and he shall come to his house and to his town and to the city from which he fled OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days; then may the manslayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.' Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Six Cities of Refuge…5Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the manslayer into his hand, because that man killed his neighbor accidentally without prior malice. 6He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the manslayer may return to his own home in the city from which he fled.” 7So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.… Cross References He is to stay in that city Numbers 35:26-27 But if the manslayer ever goes outside the limits of the city of refuge to which he fled / and the avenger of blood finds him outside of his city of refuge and kills him, then the avenger will not be guilty of bloodshed, Deuteronomy 19:4-5 Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him: / If he goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut timber and swings his axe to chop down a tree, but the blade flies off the handle and strikes and kills his neighbor, he may flee to one of these cities to save his life. Numbers 35:11 designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. until he stands trial before the assembly Numbers 35:12 You are to have these cities as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly. Numbers 35:24 then the congregation must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances. Deuteronomy 19:17-18 both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time. / The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Numbers 35:25 The assembly is to protect the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge to which he fled, and he must live there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. Numbers 35:32 Nor should you accept a ransom for the person who flees to a city of refuge and allow him to return and live on his own land before the death of the high priest. Leviticus 16:29-34 This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you shall humble yourselves and not do any work—whether the native or the foreigner who resides among you— / because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD. / It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute. … Then the manslayer may return to his own home Numbers 35:28 because the manslayer must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Only after the death of the high priest may he return to the land he owns. Leviticus 25:10 So you are to consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty in the land for all its inhabitants. It shall be your Jubilee, when each of you is to return to his property and to his clan. Leviticus 25:13 In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his own property. in the city from which he fled.” Numbers 35:13-15 The cities you select will be your six cities of refuge. / Select three cities across the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan as cities of refuge. / These six cities will serve as a refuge for the Israelites and for the foreigner or stranger among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there. Deuteronomy 19:2-3 then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess. / You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities. Exodus 21:13 If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. Numbers 35:15 These six cities will serve as a refuge for the Israelites and for the foreigner or stranger among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there. Treasury of Scripture 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 to his own city, and to his own house, to the city from from where he fled. until Numbers 35:12,24,25 And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment… Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Jump to Previous City Congregation Death Dwell High House Judgment Manslayer Priest Slayer Stand Stands WhenceJump to Next City Congregation Death Dwell High House Judgment Manslayer Priest Slayer Stand Stands WhenceJoshua 20 1. God commands7. and the children of Israel appoint the six cities of refuge He is to stay in that city This phrase refers to the city of refuge, a designated place where someone who has accidentally killed another person can seek asylum. The cities of refuge were established by God through Moses (Numbers 35:9-15) and were strategically located throughout Israel to be accessible to all. This provision underscores the value of human life and the importance of justice tempered with mercy. until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time Then the manslayer may return to his own home in the city from which he fled. Persons / Places / Events 1. The ManslayerAn individual who has unintentionally killed someone and seeks refuge in a city of refuge to avoid revenge from the avenger of blood. 2. City of Refuge Designated cities where those who committed unintentional manslaughter could seek asylum and be protected from the avenger of blood until a fair trial. 3. The Assembly The group of elders or leaders who would conduct the trial to determine the manslayer's fate. 4. The High Priest The religious leader whose death marked the end of the manslayer's required stay in the city of refuge, allowing them to return home. 5. The Avenger of Blood A family member of the deceased who sought to avenge the death, according to ancient customs. Teaching Points Justice and MercyThe cities of refuge illustrate God's balance of justice and mercy. While justice demands accountability, mercy provides protection and a chance for redemption. The Role of the High Priest The high priest's death symbolizes a new beginning and freedom for the manslayer, pointing to Christ's role as our eternal High Priest who grants us freedom from sin. Community Responsibility The assembly's role in the trial emphasizes the importance of community involvement in justice and reconciliation processes. The Sanctity of Life The provision for cities of refuge underscores the value God places on human life and the need for careful discernment in matters of life and death. Spiritual Refuge in Christ Just as the manslayer found refuge in the city, believers find spiritual refuge in Christ, who offers protection and hope. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 20:6?2. How does Joshua 20:6 illustrate God's provision for justice and mercy? 3. What role does the "assembly" play in ensuring justice in Joshua 20:6? 4. How can we apply the principles of refuge today in our communities? 5. What connections exist between Joshua 20:6 and Christ as our refuge? 6. How does Joshua 20:6 encourage us to seek God's protection and guidance? 7. What is the significance of the cities of refuge in Joshua 20:6? 8. How does Joshua 20:6 reflect God's justice and mercy? 9. Why was the high priest's death significant in Joshua 20:6? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 20? 11. What are the Courts of Heaven? 12. What caused the collapse of Jericho's walls? 13. How can the compassionate approach to accidental killers in Joshua 20 be reconciled with the violent conquests described earlier, such as in Joshua 6? 14. How does the system of protection for manslaughter in Joshua 20:1–6 align or conflict with other Mosaic laws on homicide and justice? What Does Joshua 20:6 Mean He is to stay in that city• God appointed six cities of refuge (Numbers 35:11–12; Deuteronomy 19:1–3) so that anyone who killed another unintentionally could flee there and live safely. • Remaining inside the city walls showed submission to God-given authority and protected the manslayer from the “avenger of blood” (Numbers 35:19). • The arrangement balances mercy with responsibility: the manslayer avoids premature vengeance yet acknowledges that a life was lost and justice must still be addressed. Until he stands trial before the assembly • Israel’s elders gathered to weigh evidence and hear witnesses (Numbers 35:24; Deuteronomy 19:17–18). • Due process prevented mob justice and upheld the sixth commandment’s regard for life (Exodus 20:13). • The assembly’s verdict identified true accidental killing versus murder, ensuring the city of refuge remained a place for the innocent, not a loophole for the guilty. And until the death of the high priest serving at that time • The high priest represented the nation before God; his death marked a nationwide transition. Numbers 35:28 states, “after the death of the high priest, the manslayer may return.” • The high priest’s passing symbolically closed the case, satisfying community conscience and dissolving the avenger’s claim. • This foreshadows Christ, our great High Priest whose once-for-all death secures ultimate refuge and releases believers from condemnation (Hebrews 9:11–12; 10:19–22). Then the manslayer may return to his own home • Freedom was complete: the manslayer went “to his own home,” fully restored to normal life (Joshua 20:6; cf. Numbers 35:26–28). • The provision protected both parties—no lingering resentment from the avenger and no fear for the manslayer—promoting peace within Israel. • Like the Jubilee release (Leviticus 25:10), this return underscores God’s pattern of redemption: debt or guilt may bind for a season, but He makes a way for renewal. summary Joshua 20:6 shows the Lord’s perfect blend of justice and mercy. The city of refuge shields the innocent, the assembly ensures truth, and the high priest’s death guarantees final release. Taken literally for Israel and typologically for believers, the verse points to Jesus, our eternal refuge and High Priest, whose sacrifice secures full and lasting freedom. Verse 6. - Until he stand before the congregation. That is, until he had had a fair trial. It was no object of the Jewish law to make a man a victim to passion. Until the death of the high priest. The further to protect the unwitting homicide from the consequences of an unjust revenge, he was, if innocent, to return to the city of refuge, and to dwell there until there was reasonable ground to suppose that the anger of the relatives of the slain man should have abated. This is clear from Numbers 35:24, 25. Why the period of the death of the high priest should have been fixed upon is not easy to explain. Keil thinks it is because the death of the high priest was typical of the death of Christ, and refers to Hebrews 9:14, 15. But the reference is not to the point. The high priest's death was in no sense typical of the death of Christ. His yearly entrance into the holy place once a year, on the Day of Atonement, was so typical. It might have been supposed that this yearly atonement would have been regarded as a propitiation for all the sins committed during the year. Certainly the fact that the high priest died the common death of all men, and the inauguration of his successor to fill his place could in no way be regarded as an atonement for sin. There is more force in Bahr's suggestion in his 'Symbolik' (2:52). The high priest, on this view, is the head of the theocracy, the representative of the covenant. He concentrates in his person (so Bahr puts it in another place - see vol. 2:13) the whole people of Israel in their religious aspect. His death, therefore, stands in a connection with the life of Israel which that of no other man could do. "It is," says Maimonides ('Moreh Nevochim,' 3.40), "the death of the most honoured and beloved man in all Israel. His death plunges the whole community into such distress that private sorrow is lost in the general affliction." Thus the covenant in a way recommences with the inauguration of the new high priest. Bahr complains that Philo has carried this view to an extravagant and fanciful extent. Hengstenberg ('Geschichte des Reiches Gottes,' vol. 2, sec. 3, p. 258) takes the same view as Maimonides, that the high priest's death was "a great calamity," affecting the whole nation.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew He is to stayוְיָשַׁ֣ב ׀ (wə·yā·šaḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry in that הַהִ֗יא (ha·hî) Article | Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are city בָּעִ֣יר (bā·‘îr) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement until עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while he stands עָמְד֞וֹ (‘ā·mə·ḏōw) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations trial לַמִּשְׁפָּ֔ט (lam·miš·pāṭ) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style before לִפְנֵ֤י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face the assembly הָֽעֵדָה֙ (hā·‘ê·ḏāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage and until עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while the death מוֹת֙ (mō·wṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin of the high הַגָּד֔וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent priest הַכֹּהֵ֣ן (hak·kō·hên) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3548: Priest serving יִהְיֶ֖ה (yih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be at that הָהֵ֑ם (hā·hêm) Article | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They time. בַּיָּמִ֣ים (bay·yā·mîm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3117: A day Then אָ֣ז ׀ (’āz) Adverb Strong's 227: At that time, place, therefore the manslayer הָרוֹצֵ֗חַ (hā·rō·w·ṣê·aḥ) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7523: To dash in pieces, kill, to murder may return יָשׁ֣וּב (yā·šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again to his own home בֵּית֔וֹ (bê·ṯōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1004: A house in the city עִירוֹ֙ (‘î·rōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement from which אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that he fled.” נָ֥ס (nās) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away Links Joshua 20:6 NIVJoshua 20:6 NLT Joshua 20:6 ESV Joshua 20:6 NASB Joshua 20:6 KJV Joshua 20:6 BibleApps.com Joshua 20:6 Biblia Paralela Joshua 20:6 Chinese Bible Joshua 20:6 French Bible Joshua 20:6 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 20:6 He shall dwell in that city until (Josh. 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