Joshua 20 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

This chapter continues the description of how Joshua divided up the land the Israelites conquered. It describes how Joshua designated certain cities to be cities of refuge ([20:1–9](../20/01.md)).

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Cities of refuge

If a person was murdered, in this culture it was the duty of his relatives to provide justice by killing the murderer. However, if someone was killed by accident, it would be unjust to kill the person who had killed him accidentally. Therefore, God told the Israelites to designate “cities of refuge” to which a person who killed someone accidentally could flee. In those cities, these cases would be resolved legally. (See: refuge and avenge)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Quotes in quotes

In [verses 2–6](../20/02.md), there is a long quotation within a quotation. Yahweh tells Joshua something that he is to tell the people of Israel. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Notes suggest how to do that in the cases of [verses 2](../20/02.md) and 3. The rest of the second-level quotation can be made a first-level quotation without any changes in the wording.

Relative locations

In listing the cities of refuge, the author often describes the location of one place relative to another in the way that is characteristic of his culture. Specifically, he says the direction from which someone would be approaching a new location when coming from a location he has already named. Translate these descriptions the way you have done in the previous part of this section of the book of Joshua.