The big picture
Joshua 20 opens in verse 1 with “The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,”, reaches its middle movement near verse 5 with “And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up…”, and closes in verse 9 with “These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger…” Repeated or prominent terms include city, avenger, blood, cities, flee. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Joshua · King James Version · 9Joshua 20:1-5
1–5: The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,
Joshua 20:1–5 opens with “The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,” and reaches “And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Joshua 20 develops its own movement around city, avenger, blood, cities, flee, with particular weight carried by city, avenger, blood.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,” By verse 3, the text has turned to “That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they…” It lands on “And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 2 verses with a speech marker, 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as city, avenger, blood, cities, flee, hand tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Joshua 20 develops its own movement around city, avenger, blood, cities, flee,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Appoint, Israel, Joshua, Moses, Speak. Its number language includes one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 3: “That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: city, avenger, blood, cities, flee, hand
Verse-by-verse path
- Joshua 20:1
“The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,” Naming Joshua keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Joshua 20:2
“Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of…” Naming Appoint and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Joshua 20:3
“That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Joshua 20:4
“And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Joshua 20:5
“And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Joshua 20:1-5
King James Version1The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,
2Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
3That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
4And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.
5And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.
Joshua 20:6-9
6–9: He shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for…
Joshua 20:6–9 opens with “And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until…” and reaches “These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Joshua 20 develops its own movement around city, avenger, blood, cities, flee, with particular weight carried by city, tribe, appointed.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and…” By verse 7, the text has turned to “And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and…” It lands on “These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. Its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and consequences reveal how the thought develops before any interpretation is added.
The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as city, tribe, appointed, congregation, mount, arba tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Joshua 20 develops its own movement around city, avenger, blood, cities, flee,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Bashan, Bezer, Ephraim, Gad, Galilee, Gilead. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 6: “And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: city, tribe, appointed, congregation, mount, arba
Verse-by-verse path
- Joshua 20:6
“And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Joshua 20:7
“And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath-arba, which is…” Naming Ephraim and Galilee keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Joshua 20:8
“And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the…” Naming Bashan and Bezer keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Joshua 20:9
“These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Joshua 20:6-9
King James Version6And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.
7And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath-arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.
8And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.
9These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.
Resources gathered for this chapter
The story map and deeper reflection are available as distinct resources alongside this teaching plan. Each opens on its own page.
A chapter-specific teaching brief
These anchors come from this chapter itself. They help a teacher use the Level 1 story map, the Level 2 analysis, and the Scripture text as one lesson.
Open with the chapter’s first image
Joshua 20:1: “The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,”
Slow down at the turning point
Joshua 20:6: “And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days…”
Keep this word trail visible
city, avenger, blood, cities, flee, hand
Observation and teaching prompt
- Track who acts, who speaks, who is affected, and what changes.
- Notice repeated promises, failures, rescues, and consequences.
- Do not assume the narrator approves every action that is reported.
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.
Learning objectives
- Place Joshua 20 within Joshua 20 and explain its role in Joshua.
- Describe from the text how the passage develops this focus: Joshua 20 develops its own movement around city, avenger, blood, cities, flee.
- Distinguish an explicit statement, a Scripture-supported conclusion, and an interpretation.
- Explain how narrative shapes a responsible reading of this unit.
- Compare a related song or video with the passage, then return to the text to test it.
- Form a personal and communal response that does not exceed the evidence of Scripture.
Teacher preparation
- Read Joshua 20 twice, then read the material immediately before and after it.
- Review the book movement: Joshua 20 (Joshua 20).
- Mark speakers, actions, repeated words, commands, contrasts, promises, and consequences.
- Preview each related song or video and note where it condenses, interprets, or dramatizes the text.
- Prepare a participation option that lets learners respond without forced personal disclosure.
Evidence and interpretation checks
Explicit
Record two claims that Joshua 20 states directly and cite the verses.
Scripture-supported
Form one conclusion that joins several parts of Joshua 20. Show each step.
Strong inference
Identify a conclusion that follows the text closely even though it is not stated in one sentence.
Possible or traditional reading
Where responsible readings differ, present the difference without turning it into certainty.
Limit
Do not use speculation as a teaching conclusion.
Discussion with answer guidance
1. What does Joshua 20 state directly about God, people, or the situation?
Show teacher guidance
Begin with the passage’s words and actions. Require an exact verse before accepting a conclusion.
2. How does this focus develop across the passage: Joshua 20 develops its own movement around city, avenger, blood, cities, flee?
Show teacher guidance
Trace the opening, change, and outcome. Do not rely on one sentence when the unit presents a sequence.
3. Which word, action, contrast, or response repeats, and what work does it do?
Show teacher guidance
Repetition may signal structure or emphasis, but explain its meaning inside the immediate context.
4. How does this unit contribute to the Joshua 20 movement?
Show teacher guidance
Compare the unit with what comes before and after it in the same book.
5. What interpretive caution does narrative require here?
Show teacher guidance
Follow the narrator, the choices people make, their consequences, and what God does without assuming every reported action is approved.
6. What faithful response follows for an individual and for a community?
Show teacher guidance
Form a concrete, proportionate response. Do not turn a description into a command without evidence.
Responsible application
Heart and habits
Name one belief, desire, or practice that Joshua 20 corrects, strengthens, or redirects.
Relationships and community
Form one action that protects dignity, truth, justice, mercy, or faithfulness in a real relationship.
Worship and prayer
Write a prayer using the vocabulary and concerns of the passage.
Service and witness
Choose one observable response for this week and one person who can support accountability.
Audience adaptations
Children
Use a short reading block, a people-and-actions map, and one concrete response. Explain difficult vocabulary before reading.
Youth
Ask learners to identify pressure, loyalty, power, and consequences. Permit written responses without public disclosure.
Adults
Add literary and historical context, compare responsible readings, and require evidence for each claim.
Intergenerational group
Pair different ages, assign observation before interpretation, and close with a shared prayer.
Online or at home
Send the reference in advance, use media as an observation pause, and gather responses in a shared document.
Complete 75-minute teaching path
A shorter group can omit the extended discussion while preserving the Scripture reading, evidence check, and closing response.
Orient the group
Name the book, Joshua 20, genre, and central question. Explain that every conclusion will be checked against the text.
Read the complete unit
Read aloud or silently. Learners mark speakers, repetitions, commands, contrasts, and changes.
Work through the reading blocks
Summarize each block in one sentence and record the verse that supports the summary.
Use a song or video
Play one related resource. Compare its emphasis and omissions with the passage.
Discuss from evidence
Use the questions and require a Scripture reference for every major answer.
Form responsible application
Develop one personal and one communal response. Avoid promises or commands that the text does not establish.
Summarize and pray
Let each learner complete one sentence about the passage. Pray with its vocabulary and concerns.
Song and video learning lab
A song or video may interpret, compress, or dramatize the text. Its value becomes clearer when its choices are compared with Scripture.
- Before the media: the exact passage and its central movement.
- During the media: the words, people, events, and emotions the artist emphasizes.
- After the media: what it clarifies, what it leaves out, and what belongs back in the biblical text.