Joshua 20:2

Modern

“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,

Traditional

Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:

Literal

“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying: Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you by the hand of Moses,

Latin

Separate urbes fugitivorum, de quibus locutus sum ad vos per manum Moysi:

Hebrew

English

“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,

These verses review the law about cities of refuge (see also Numbers 35:6–34).

Before they fully divided the land, Joshua had to establish six cities of refuge and assign cities in which the Levites would live.

As he had promised, God brought Israel into the land. Joshua then focused on dividing the land among Israel's tribes.
The tribal allowances made the covenant of the Israelites with God real. It showed the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Since God owned the land, giving it to the tribes was a gift. God gave them the land to live in and guided its distribution.
In these lists of tribal allowances, the author describes some borders in great detail, allowing them to be mapped. With others, they are less plainly defined.

Theme notes and profiles

Deuteronomy 19:2–13
…then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.
Deuteronomy 4:41–43
Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east
Numbers 35:6
Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities.
Numbers 35:11–24
…designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there.
Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:33–34
Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
Exodus 21:13–14
If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.
Hebrews 6:18–19
Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt