Joshua 20:3
<< Joshua 20:3 >>
New International Version (©1984)
so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Anyone who kills another person accidentally and unintentionally can run to one of these cities; they will be places of refuge from relatives seeking revenge for the person who was killed.

English Standard Version (©2001)
that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
that the manslayer who kills any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become your refuge from the avenger of blood.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Choose them so that anyone who unintentionally kills someone may run to them. They will be a place of refuge from any relative who can avenge the death.

King James Bible
That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

American King James Version
That the slayer that kills any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

American Standard Version
that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly and unawares may flee thither: and they shall be unto you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.

Bible in Basic English
So that any man who in error and without design has taken the life of another, may go in flight to them: and they will be safe places for you from him who has the right of punishment for blood.

Douay-Rheims Bible
That whosoever shall kill a person unawares may flee to them: and may escape the wrath of the kinsman, who is the avenger of blood:

Darby Bible Translation
that the slayer who unwittingly without intent smiteth any one mortally may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

English Revised Version
that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly and unawares may flee thither: and they shall be unto you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.

Webster's Bible Translation
That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and ignorantly, may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

World English Bible
that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there. They shall be to you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.

Young's Literal Translation
for the fleeing thither of a man-slayer smiting life inadvertently, without knowledge; and they have been to you for a refuge from the redeemer of blood.

Geneva Study Bible

That the slayer that killeth any person {a} unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

(a) At unawares and bearing him no grudge.

Wesley's Notes

20:3 Unwittingly - Heb. Through ignorance, or error, or mistake, and without knowledge. The same thing twice repeated to cut off all the expectations that wilful murderers might have of protection here; God having declared, that such should be taken even from his altar, that they might be killed. It is strange that any Christians should make their sanctuaries give protection to such persons whom God hath so expressly excepted from it! Avenger - The nearest kinsman, who had right or power to demand, or take vengeance of the slaughter.

Scofield Reference Notes

Margin avenger

Heb. "goel," Redemp. (Kinsman type). See Scofield Note: "Isa 59:20".

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:1-6 When the Israelites were settled in their promised inheritance, they were reminded to set apart the cities of refuge, whose use and typical meaning have been explained, Nu 35; De 19. God's spiritual Israel have, and shall have in Christ and heaven, not only rest to repose in, but refuge to secure themselves in. These cities were designed to typify the relief which the gospel provides for penitent sinners, and their protection from the curse of the law and the wrath of God, in our Lord Jesus, to whom believers flee for refuge, Heb 6:18.


Joshua 20:2 "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'Designate the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,
Joshua 20:4 'He shall flee to one of these cities, and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and state his case in the hearing of the elders of that city; and they shall take him into the city to them and give him a place, so that he may dwell among them. (NASB ©1995)

Accidentally Avenger Blood Design Error Ignorantly Intent Killeth Kills Life Manslayer Man-Slayer Mortally Places Premeditation Protection Refuge Right Safe Slayer Smiteth Smiting Thither Unawares Unintentionally Unwittingly

That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

Bible Gateway: Joshua Chapter 20 Verse 3 NIV ESV NKJV NLT KJV Message Amplified

Alphabetical: a accidentally and any anyone avenger become blood find flee from kills manslayer may of person premeditation protection refuge shall so that the there they unintentionally who without your

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OT History: Joshua 20:3 That the manslayer who kills any person (Josh. Jos) Christian Bible Study Resources, Dictionary, Concordance and Search Tools

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