Joshua 20:1-6

Refuge Cities

Read the story below or listen to it told (sound card required)

• Refuge Cities WAV file -- this WAV file will download in about two minutes and then play using your browser's built-in audio player. No additional software is needed.
• Refuge Cities streaming audio -- this RealAudio streaming audio file will play as it downloads after you install the free player available from RealAudio.

Then the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying, "Say to the Israelites,

'Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,

so that anyone who kills a person without intent or by mistake may flee there;

they shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood.

The slayer shall flee to one of these cities

and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city,

and explain the case to the elders of that city;

then the fugitive shall be taken into the city, and given a place,

and shall remain with them.

And if the avenger of blood is in pursuit, they shall not give up the slayer,

because the neighbor was killed by mistake,

there having been no enmity between them before.

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.'"

Joshua: Refuge Cities

Order the Study Guides

Visit our other Joshua pages

The Joshua Website is a resource from: The Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church Women's Division E-mail Women's Division Website General Board of Global Ministries Website In cooperation with the Network of Biblical Storytellers Network of Biblical Storytellers E-mail Network of Biblical Storytellers Webpage Created by the Joshua Project Team who would appreciate your feedback.