Joshua 20:9

Contemporary English Version (Anglicised) 2012

These Safe Towns were set up, so that if Israelites or even foreigners who lived in Israel accidentally killed someone, they could run to one of these towns. There they would be safe until a trial could be held, even if one of the victim's relatives came looking for revenge.

Cross References

Numbers 35:13

There are to be six of these Safe Towns,

Numbers 35:15

They will be places of protection for anyone who lives in Israel and accidentally kills someone.

Joshua 20:6

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.

Joshua 20:8

The Israelites had already decided on the following three towns east of the River Jordan: Bezer in the desert flat lands of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead, which was a town that belonged to Gad, and Golan in Bashan, which belonged to Manasseh.