Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, April 25th, 2024
the Fourth Week after Easter
the Fourth Week after Easter
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Bible Commentaries
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Commentary Critical
Copyright Statement
These files are a derivative of an electronic edition prepared from text scanned by Woodside Bible Fellowship.
This expanded edition of the Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary is in the public domain and may be freely used and distributed.
These files are a derivative of an electronic edition prepared from text scanned by Woodside Bible Fellowship.
This expanded edition of the Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary is in the public domain and may be freely used and distributed.
Bibliographical Information
Jamieson, Robert, D.D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on Joshua 20". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/jfb/joshua-20.html. 1871-8.
Jamieson, Robert, D.D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on Joshua 20". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/
Whole Bible (39)Old Testament (1)Individual Books (5)
Introduction
CHAPTER 20
:-. THE LORD COMMANDS THE CITIES OF REFUGE.
Verse 1
1-3. The Lord spake unto Joshua . . . Appoint out for you cities of refuge—(See Numbers 35:9-28; Deuteronomy 19:1-13). The command here recorded was given on their going to occupy their allotted settlements. The sanctuaries were not temples or altars, as in other countries, but inhabited cities; and the design was not to screen criminals, but only to afford the homicide protection from the vengeance of the deceased's relatives until it should have been ascertained whether the death had resulted from accident and momentary passion, or from premeditated malice. The institution of the cities of refuge, together with the rules prescribed for the guidance of those who sought an asylum within their walls, was an important provision, tending to secure the ends of justice as well as of mercy.
Verse 4
4. he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city—It was the place of public resort, and on arriving there he related his tale of distress to the elders, who were bound to give him shelter and the means of support, until the local authorities ( :-), having carefully investigated the case, should have pronounced the decision. If found guilty, the manslayer was surrendered to the blood-avenger; if extenuating circumstances appeared, he was to remain in the city of refuge, where he would be safe from the vindictive feelings of his pursuers; but he forfeited the privilege of immunity the moment he ventured beyond the walls.
Verse 6
6. until the death of the high priest—His death secured the complete deliverance of the manslayer from his sin, only because he had been anointed with the holy oil (Numbers 35:25), the symbol of the Holy Ghost; and thus the death of the earthly high priest became a type of that of the heavenly one (Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 9:15).
Hebrews 9:15- :. THE ISRAELITES APPOINT BY NAME THE CITIES OF REFUGE.
Verse 7
7-9. they appointed . . . cities—There were six; three on the west, and three on the east, of Jordan. In the first instance, they were a provision of the criminal law of the Hebrews, necessary in the circumstances of that people (see on :-; :-). At the same time they were designed also typically to point out the sinner's way to Christ ( :-).