Joshua 20:3

Joshua 20 establishes the six cities of refuge, a crucial provision for accidental manslayers in ancient Israel. This chapter details God's command to Joshua to set apart these cities, three on each side of the Jordan River, ensuring that anyone who unintentionally killed another person could flee there for protection from the avenger of blood. It outlines the process for seeking refuge, the judgment by the community, and the conditions under which the manslayer could eventually return home, highlighting God's justice and mercy.