Joshua 20:6 Meaning and Explanation
“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: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The fugitive stays until judgment and until the high priest dies, after which he may return home freely.
What Does Joshua 20:6 Mean?
Two thresholds release the fugitive: a public judgment before the congregation, and the death of the high priest then serving. Until that priest dies, the man remains in the refuge; once he dies, the slayer is free to return to his own home and resume his life.
It is striking that freedom comes through the death of the high priest. His passing covers what the fugitive could not undo, opening the way home. Every Christian sees here a shadow of a greater High Priest, whose death sets the captive free and brings the wanderer home. What the law pictured dimly, Christ accomplished fully, that we might return without fear.
Joshua 20:6 in the Original Language
kohen gadol (כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל), 'high priest' -- the chief priest whose death here opens the way to freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 20:6
What does Joshua 20:6 mean?
The fugitive stays until judgment and until the high priest dies, after which he may return home freely.