Venˇ chi teˇ hpaˍ lehˬ, Iˉsaˍreˍlaˆ chaw leh yawˇ hui geh chehˇ taˍ ve awˬ nu ve mvuhˇmiˬ yaˇ teˇ hpaˍ awˬ pon leuˆ yuˬ taˍ ve venˇ teˇ hpaˍ hpeh‸ ve yoˬ. Maˇ dawˇ maˇ gaˇ ve hkʼaw chaw hta‸ gʼa tiˇ pehˍ peuˬ ve chaw lehˬ, venˇ oˇ ve teˇ hpaˍ lo hpaw-e hpeh‸ ve yoˬ. Yawˇ hta‸ tiˇ pehˍ tuˬ gʼa‸ ca la ve chaw teˇ hpa lehˬ, yawˇ hta‸ tiˇ pehˍ piˇ maˇ hpeh‸. Yawˇ lehˬ, oˇ kaˬ lo shu suhˉ jehˬ ve hta‸ gʼa hkanˍ tuˬ yoˬ.
What Does This Mean?
This verse lists the cities where anyone who accidentally kills someone can go to stay safe until they can explain their actions to a community. This rule applies to all Israelites and foreigners living among them.
Explained for Children
Imagine if you accidentally broke a friend's toy really badly. Instead of getting into big trouble, you could go to a special house where you'd be safe until you could explain what happened to all your friends.
Historical Background
Joshua 20:9 is part of the Book of Joshua, written around the 6th century BCE. It describes the cities of refuge established by Joshua for the Israelites and foreigners, following the conquest of Canaan. These cities provided a safe haven for anyone who accidentally killed someone.
Living It Out Today
Today, this concept can be seen in legal protections for individuals who commit accidental harm. For example, a driver might not be punished if they unintentionally cause an accident under unavoidable circumstances.
Topics
justiceprotectionaccidentlegal systemscities of refugecommunity
Both Israelites and foreigners living among them could use these cities if they accidentally killed someone.
What would happen if someone killed someone accidentally?
They could flee to a city of refuge to be safe from the family of the deceased until they stood before the community to explain their actions.
How many cities of refuge are mentioned in the Bible?
The Bible mentions six cities of refuge, three on each side of the Jordan River.
What was the purpose of the cities of refuge?
The cities of refuge were established to provide a place of safety and justice for those who accidentally caused a death, preventing hasty and unfair revenge.