Joshua 20:4

New International Reader's Version

Suppose those who are charged with murder run for safety to one of these cities. Then they must stand in the entrance of the city gate. They must state their case in front of the elders of that city. The elders must let them come into their city. The elders must provide a place for them to live in their city.

Cross References

Job 29:7

“In those days I went to the city gate. I took my seat as a member of the council.

Job 5:4

Their children aren’t safe at all. They lose their case in court. No one speaks up for them.

Psalm 26:9

Don’t destroy me together with sinners. Don’t take away my life along with murderers.

Proverbs 31:23

Her husband is respected at the city gate. There he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

Jeremiah 38:7

Ebed-Melek was an official in the royal palace. He was from the land of Cush. He heard that Jeremiah had been put into the well. The king was sitting by the Benjamin Gate at that time.

Hebrews 6:18

When God made his promise, he gave his word. He did this so we would have good reason not to give up. Instead, we have run to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope is set before us in God’s promise. So God made his promise and gave his word. These two things can’t change. He couldn’t lie about them.

Joshua 20:3

Anyone who kills a person by accident can run there for safety. So can anyone who kills a person without meaning to. The one charged with murder will be kept safe from the nearest male relative of the person killed.