Apologetics Bible
Read Scripture with the original-language, translation, commentary, and apologetics layers kept close to the text.
Scripture-first study surface. Data layers support reading; they do not replace prayer, context, humility, or the text itself.
Four study layers kept near the text.
The reader keeps Scripture first, then brings original-language notes, translation comparison, commentary witness, and apologetics exposition into an ordered study path without letting the tools outrank the passage.
Hebrew and Greek source shelves sit near the passage with transliteration and morphology notes where the source data is available.
A broad translation-comparison set brings KJV, ASV, YLT, BSB, Darby, and many other renderings near the verse so wording differences can be studied carefully.
Historical witness notes appear where source coverage is available, helping readers compare older interpreters without replacing the passage.
Apologetics exposition helps trace how passages function in canonical argument, what doctrinal claims they touch, and how themes connect across the 66 books.
Open a passage.
Read the text first, then compare available translations, words, witness notes, and defense notes.
Type a Bible reference, then jump into the reader.
Choose a layer, then the reader opens that study surface near the passage.
Summary first. Then the depth.
Each chapter starts with the passage, then keeps the supporting study layers close enough to check without replacing the text.
Book framing comes before the notes: title, placement, authorship questions, and why the passage matters.
The chapter text stays first. Supporting source shelves sit after the passage.
Original language, translation comparison, commentary witness, and apologetics exposition stay grouped around the passage when the supporting data is available.
Start with the passage. Use the tools after the text.
The reader keeps translations, source shelves, original-language data, and verse-linked notes close to Scripture. Open Bible Data for the public shelves, or bring a careful question to DaveAI later.
Read the Word before every witness.
Open the chapter itself first. Summaries, verse waypoints, ancient witnesses, cross-references, and the citation apparatus are here to serve the Word YHWH has given, never to outrank it.
The Bible is the authority here. Notes, languages, witnesses, and defenses sit below the text as servants of faithful study.
Receive the chapter frame
Joshua documents the conquest and settlement of Canaan under Joshua ben Nun (c. 1406-1380 BC on the early date, c. 1220-1200 BC on the late date). Archaeological evidence — including the Jericho debate (Kathleen Kenyon vs. Bryant Wood), the Hazor stratum, and the Amarna letters referencing 'Habiru' incursions — informs ongoing historical reassessment.
Move with reverence
Move carefully to the section you need
Connected primary witness
- Connected ID:
Joshua_20
- Primary Witness Text: The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. And 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. And 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. 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. And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath–arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. And 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. These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth ...
Connected dataset overlay
- Connected ID:
Joshua_20
- Chapter Blob Preview: The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the en...
Chapter frameStart here before opening notes.
Chapter frame
Joshua documents the conquest and settlement of Canaan under Joshua ben Nun (c. 1406-1380 BC on the early date, c. 1220-1200 BC on the late date). Archaeological evidence — including the Jericho debate (Kathleen Kenyon vs. Bryant Wood), the Hazor stratum, and the Amarna letters referencing 'Habiru' incursions — informs ongoing historical reassessment.
Theologically, Joshua typifies Christ: the Hebrew name Yehoshua is the same name as Jesus (Iēsous in LXX), and the rest that Joshua gave anticipated the greater rest of Hebrews 4. The Rahab narrative introduces the scarlet cord as a sign of redemption — a type richly explored in later typological interpretation.
Verse-by-verse study laneOpen only when you are ready for notes and witnesses.
Verse-by-verse study lane
Joshua 20:1
Hebrew
וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁעַ לֵאמֹֽר׃vayedaver-yehvah-'el-yehvoshu'a-le'mor
KJV: The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,
AKJV: The LORD also spoke to Joshua, saying,
ASV: And Jehovah spake unto Joshua, saying,
YLT: And Jehovah speaketh unto Joshua, saying,
Exposition: Joshua 20:1 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.
Apologetics Notes
- Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
- Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
- Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.
Joshua 20:2
Hebrew
דַּבֵּר אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לֵאמֹר תְּנוּ לָכֶם אֶת־עָרֵי הַמִּקְלָט אֲשֶׁר־דִּבַּרְתִּי אֲלֵיכֶם בְּיַד־מֹשֶֽׁה׃daver-'el-veney-yishera'el-le'mor-tenv-lakhem-'et-'arey-hamiqelat-'asher-divaretiy-'aleykhem-veyad-mosheh
KJV: Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
AKJV: Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spoke to you by the hand of Moses:
ASV: Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Assign you the cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by Moses,
YLT: `Speak unto the sons of Israel, saying, Give for you cities of refuge, as I have spoken unto you by the hand of Moses,
Commentary WitnessJoshua 20:2Quoted commentary witness
Commentary Witness
Joshua 20:2
Verse 2 Cities of refuge - An institution of this kind was essentially necessary wherever the patriarchal law relative to the right of redemption and the avenging of blood was in force; we have already seen that the nearest of kin to a deceased person had not only the right of redeeming an inheritance that had been forfeited or alienated, but had also authority to slay on the spot the person who had slain his relative. Now, as a man might casually kill another against whom he had no ill-will, and with whom he had no quarrel, and might have his life taken away by him who was called the avenger of blood, though he had not forfeited his life to the law; therefore these privileged cities were appointed, where the person might have protection till the cause had been fully heard by the magistrates, who certainly had authority to deliver him up to the avenger, if they found, on examination, that he was not entitled to this protection. On this subject see the notes on Num 35:11 to the end.
Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.
Canonical locus
Joshua 20:2
Source lane
Apologetics Bible source bundle
Biblical cross-references named in the witness
- Num 35:11
Named authorities or texts detected in the witness
- Now
Exposition: Joshua 20:2 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.
Apologetics Notes
- Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
- Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
- Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.
Joshua 20:3
Hebrew
לָנוּס שָׁמָּה רוֹצֵחַ מַכֵּה־נֶפֶשׁ בִּשְׁגָגָה בִּבְלִי־דָעַת וְהָיוּ לָכֶם לְמִקְלָט מִגֹּאֵל הַדָּֽם׃lanvs-shamah-rvotzecha-makheh-nefesh-vishegagah-viveliy-da'at-vehayv-lakhem-lemiqelat-migo'el-hadam
KJV: That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
AKJV: That the slayer that kills any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
ASV: that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly and unawares may flee thither: and they shall be unto you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
YLT: for the fleeing thither of a man-slayer smiting life inadvertently, without knowledge; and they have been to you for a refuge from the redeemer of blood.
Commentary Witness (Generated)Joshua 20:3Generated editorial synthesis
Commentary Witness (Generated)
Joshua 20:3
Joshua 20:3 advances the immediate literary flow of the chapter and should be interpreted in its canonical context, not as an isolated proof text. In the present translation it reads: 'That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.'. A close Hebrew reading supports attention to key lexical choices, clause movement, and redemptive-historical placement so doctrinal conclusions remain textually grounded.
Provenance. Rendered as an editorial synthesis tied to the canonical verse context and current chapter source.
Canonical locus
Joshua 20:3
Source lane
Apologetics Bible source bundle
Biblical cross-references named in the witness
- Joshua 20:3
Exposition: Joshua 20:3 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.
Apologetics Notes
- Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
- Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
- Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.
Joshua 20:4
Hebrew
וְנָס אֶל־אַחַת ׀ מֵהֶעָרִים הָאֵלֶּה וְעָמַד פֶּתַח שַׁעַר הָעִיר וְדִבֶּר בְּאָזְנֵי זִקְנֵי־הָעִֽיר הַהִיא אֶת־דְּבָרָיו וְאָסְפוּ אֹתוֹ הָעִירָה אֲלֵיהֶם וְנָתְנוּ־לוֹ מָקוֹם וְיָשַׁב עִמָּֽם׃venas-'el-'achat- -mehe'ariym-ha'eleh-ve'amad-fetach-sha'ar-ha'iyr-vediver-ve'azeney-ziqeney-ha'iyr-hahiy'-'et-devarayv-ve'asefv-'otvo-ha'iyrah-'aleyhem-venatenv-lvo-maqvom-veyashav-'imam
KJV: And 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.
AKJV: And when he that does flee to 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 to them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.
ASV: And he shall flee unto one of those cities, and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city, and declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city; and they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.
YLT: `When one hath fled unto one of these cities, and hath stood at the opening of the gate of the city, and hath spoken in the ears of the elders of that city his matter, then they have gathered him into the city unto them, and have given to him a place, and he hath dwelt with them.
Commentary Witness (Generated)Joshua 20:4Generated editorial synthesis
Commentary Witness (Generated)
Joshua 20:4
Joshua 20:4 advances the immediate literary flow of the chapter and should be interpreted in its canonical context, not as an isolated proof text. In the present translation it reads: 'And 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.'. A close Hebrew reading supports attention to key lexical choices, clause movement, and redemptive-historical placement so doctrinal conclusions remain textually grounded.
Provenance. Rendered as an editorial synthesis tied to the canonical verse context and current chapter source.
Canonical locus
Joshua 20:4
Source lane
Apologetics Bible source bundle
Biblical cross-references named in the witness
- Joshua 20:4
Exposition: Joshua 20:4 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'And 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,...'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.
Apologetics Notes
- Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
- Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
- Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.
Joshua 20:5
Hebrew
וְכִי יִרְדֹּף גֹּאֵל הַדָּם אַֽחֲרָיו וְלֹֽא־יַסְגִּרוּ אֶת־הָרֹצֵחַ בְּיָדוֹ כִּי בִבְלִי־דַעַת הִכָּה אֶת־רֵעֵהוּ וְלֹֽא־שֹׂנֵא הוּא לוֹ מִתְּמוֹל שִׁלְשֽׁוֹם׃vekhiy-yiredof-go'el-hadam-'acharayv-velo'-yasegirv-'et-harotzecha-veyadvo-khiy-viveliy-da'at-hikhah-'et-re'ehv-velo'-shone'-hv'-lvo-mitemvol-shileshvom
KJV: And 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.
AKJV: And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbor unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.
ASV: And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver up the manslayer into his hand; because he smote his neighbor unawares, and hated him not beforetime.
YLT: `And when the redeemer of blood doth pursue after him, then they do not shut up the man-slayer into his hand, for without knowledge he hath smitten his neighbour, and is not hating him hitherto;
Commentary Witness (Generated)Joshua 20:5Generated editorial synthesis
Commentary Witness (Generated)
Joshua 20:5
Joshua 20:5 advances the immediate literary flow of the chapter and should be interpreted in its canonical context, not as an isolated proof text. In the present translation it reads: 'And 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.'. A close Hebrew reading supports attention to key lexical choices, clause movement, and redemptive-historical placement so doctrinal conclusions remain textually grounded.
Provenance. Rendered as an editorial synthesis tied to the canonical verse context and current chapter source.
Canonical locus
Joshua 20:5
Source lane
Apologetics Bible source bundle
Biblical cross-references named in the witness
- Joshua 20:5
Exposition: Joshua 20:5 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'And 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.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.
Apologetics Notes
- Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
- Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
- Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.
Joshua 20:6
Hebrew
וְיָשַׁב ׀ בָּעִיר הַהִיא עַד־עָמְדוֹ לִפְנֵי הָֽעֵדָה לַמִּשְׁפָּט עַד־מוֹת הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל אֲשֶׁר יִהְיֶה בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם אָז ׀ יָשׁוּב הָרוֹצֵחַ וּבָא אֶל־עִירוֹ וְאֶל־בֵּיתוֹ אֶל־הָעִיר אֲשֶׁר־נָס מִשָּֽׁם׃veyashav- -va'iyr-hahiy'-'ad-'amedvo-lifeney-ha'edah-lamishefat-'ad-mvot-hakhohen-hagadvol-'asher-yiheyeh-vayamiym-hahem-'az- -yashvv-harvotzecha-vva'-'el-'iyrvo-ve'el-veytvo-'el-ha'iyr-'asher-nas-misham
KJV: 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.
AKJV: 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 to his own city, and to his own house, to the city from where he fled. ¶
ASV: And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the manslayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.
YLT: and he hath dwelt in that city till his standing before the company for judgment, till the death of the chief priest who is in those days--then doth the man-slayer turn back and hath come unto his city, and unto his house, unto the city whence he fled.'
Commentary Witness (Generated)Joshua 20:6Generated editorial synthesis
Commentary Witness (Generated)
Joshua 20:6
Joshua 20:6 advances the immediate literary flow of the chapter and should be interpreted in its canonical context, not as an isolated proof text. In the present translation it reads: '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.'. A close Hebrew reading supports attention to key lexical choices, clause movement, and redemptive-historical placement so doctrinal conclusions remain textually grounded.
Provenance. Rendered as an editorial synthesis tied to the canonical verse context and current chapter source.
Canonical locus
Joshua 20:6
Source lane
Apologetics Bible source bundle
Biblical cross-references named in the witness
- Joshua 20:6
Exposition: Joshua 20:6 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: '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 u...'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.
Apologetics Notes
- Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
- Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
- Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.
Joshua 20:7
Hebrew
וַיַּקְדִּשׁוּ אֶת־קֶדֶשׁ בַּגָּלִיל בְּהַר נַפְתָּלִי וְאֶת־שְׁכֶם בְּהַר אֶפְרָיִם וְאֶת־קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע הִיא חֶבְרוֹן בְּהַר יְהוּדָֽה׃vayaqedishv-'et-qedesh-vagaliyl-vehar-nafetaliy-ve'et-shekhem-vehar-'eferayim-ve'et-qireyat-'areva'-hiy'-chevervon-vehar-yehvdah
KJV: And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath–arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.
AKJV: And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.
ASV: And they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill-country of Naphtali, and Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (the same is Hebron) in the hill-country of Judah.
YLT: And they sanctify Kedesh in Galilee, in the hill-country of Naphtali, and Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim, and Kirjath-Arba (it is Hebron), in the hill-country of Judah;
Commentary WitnessJoshua 20:7Quoted commentary witness
Commentary Witness
Joshua 20:7
Verse 7 They appointed Kedesh in Galilee - The cities of refuge were distributed through the land at proper distances from each other that they might be convenient to every part of the land; and it is said they were situated on eminences, that they might be easily seen at a distance, the roads leading to them being broad, even, and always kept in good repair. In the concluding note on Num 35:33 it has been stated that these cities were a type of our blessed Lord, and that the apostle refers to them as such, Heb 6:17, Heb 6:18. Hence their names have been considered as descriptive of some character or office of Christ. I shall give each and its signification, and leave the application to others. 1. קדש Kedesh, from kadash, to separate or set apart, because it implies the consecration of a person or thing to the worship or service of God alone; hence to make or be holy, and hence Kedesh, holiness, the full consecration of a person to God. 2. שכם Shechem, from shacham, to be ready, forward, and diligent; hence Shechem, the shoulder, because of its readiness to bear burdens, prop up, sustain, etc., and from this ideal meaning it has the metaphorical one of Government. 3. חברון chebron; Hebron, from חבר chabar, to associate, join, conjoin, unite as friends; and hence chebron, fellowship, friendly association, or with the diminutive nun, the little fellow-ship or association. 4. בצר Bezer, from batsar, to restrain, enclose, shut up, or encompass with a wall; and hence the goods or treasure thus secured, and hence a fortified place, a fortress. 5. ראמות Ramoth, from ראם raam, to be raised, made high or exalted, and hence Ramoth, high places, eminences. 6. גולן Golan, from גלה galah, to remove, transmigrate, or pass away; hence Golan, a transmigration or passage. Some derive it from גל gal, to rejoice, hence Golan, rejoicing or exultation. A person of the spirit and turn of Origen could preach the whole Gospel from these particulars. Kedesh and Hebron were at the two extremities of the promised land; one was in Galilee, the other in the tribe of Judah, both in mountainous countries; and Shechem was in the tribe of Ephraim, nearly in the middle, between both. Bezer was on the east side of Jordan, in the plain, opposite to Jericho. Ramoth was about the midst of the country occupied by the two tribes and a half, about the middle of the mountains of Gilead. Golan was the capital of a district called Gaulonitis, in the land of Bashan, towards the southern extremity of the lot of Manasseh.
Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.
Canonical locus
Joshua 20:7
Source lane
Apologetics Bible source bundle
Biblical cross-references named in the witness
- Num 35:33
- Heb 6:17
- Heb 6:18
Named authorities or texts detected in the witness
- Lord
- Christ
- Kedesh
- Shechem
- Government
- Hebron
- Bezer
- Ramoth
- Golan
- Galilee
- Judah
- Ephraim
- Jordan
- Jericho
- Gilead
- Gaulonitis
- Bashan
- Manasseh
Exposition: Joshua 20:7 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath–arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.
Apologetics Notes
- Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
- Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
- Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.
Joshua 20:8
Hebrew
וּמֵעֵבֶר לְיַרְדֵּן יְרִיחוֹ מִזְרָחָה נָתְנוּ אֶת־בֶּצֶר בַּמִּדְבָּר בַּמִּישֹׁר מִמַּטֵּה רְאוּבֵן וְאֶת־רָאמֹת בַּגִּלְעָד מִמַּטֵּה־גָד וְאֶת־גלון גּוֹלָן בַּבָּשָׁן מִמַּטֵּה מְנַשֶּֽׁה׃vme'ever-leyareden-yeriychvo-mizerachah-natenv-'et-vetzer-vamidevar-vamiyshor-mimateh-re'vven-ve'et-ra'mot-vagile'ad-mimateh-gad-ve'et-glvn-gvolan-vavashan-mimateh-menasheh
KJV: And 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.
AKJV: And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness on 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.
ASV: And beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness in 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.
YLT: and beyond the Jordan, at Jericho eastward, they have given Bezer in the wilderness, in 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.
Commentary Witness (Generated)Joshua 20:8Generated editorial synthesis
Commentary Witness (Generated)
Joshua 20:8
Joshua 20:8 advances the immediate literary flow of the chapter and should be interpreted in its canonical context, not as an isolated proof text. In the present translation it reads: 'And 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.'. A close Hebrew reading supports attention to key lexical choices, clause movement, and redemptive-historical placement so doctrinal conclusions remain textually grounded.
Provenance. Rendered as an editorial synthesis tied to the canonical verse context and current chapter source.
Canonical locus
Joshua 20:8
Source lane
Apologetics Bible source bundle
Biblical cross-references named in the witness
- Joshua 20:8
Named authorities or texts detected in the witness
- Reuben
- Gad
- Manasseh
Exposition: Joshua 20:8 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'And 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...'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.
Apologetics Notes
- Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
- Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
- Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.
Joshua 20:9
Hebrew
אֵלֶּה הָיוּ עָרֵי הַמּֽוּעָדָה לְכֹל ׀ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְלַגֵּר הַגָּר בְּתוֹכָם לָנוּס שָׁמָּה כָּל־מַכֵּה־נֶפֶשׁ בִּשְׁגָגָה וְלֹא יָמוּת בְּיַד גֹּאֵל הַדָּם עַד־עָמְדוֹ לִפְנֵי הָעֵדָֽה׃'eleh-hayv-'arey-hamv'adah-lekhol- -veney-yishera'el-velager-hagar-vetvokham-lanvs-shamah-khal-makheh-nefesh-vishegagah-velo'-yamvt-veyad-go'el-hadam-'ad-'amedvo-lifeney-ha'edah
KJV: These 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.
AKJV: These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourns among them, that whoever kills any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.
ASV: These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person unwittingly might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.
YLT: These have been cities of meeting for all the sons of Israel, and for a sojourner who is sojourning in their midst, for the fleeing thither of any one smiting life inadvertently, and he doth not die by the hand of the redeemer of blood till his standing before the company.
Commentary WitnessJoshua 20:9Quoted commentary witness
Commentary Witness
Joshua 20:9
Verse 9 For all the children of Israel, and for the stranger - As these typified the great provision which God was making for the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles, hence the stranger as well as the Israelite had the same right to the benefits of these cities of refuge. Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Until he stood before the congregation - The judges and elders of the people, in trying civil and criminal causes, always sat; the persons who came for judgment, or who were tried, always stood; hence the expressions so frequent in Scripture, Standing before the Lord, the judges, the elders, etc. It is worthy of remark that the cities of refuge were given to the Levites; see the following chapter, Joshua 21 (note). The sacrificial system alone afforded refuge; and while the suspected person was excluded from his family, etc., he had the advantage of being with those whose business it was to instruct the ignorant, and comfort the disconsolate. Thus he had the means constantly at hand, by a careful use of which he might grow wiser and better; secure the favor of his God, and a lot of blessedness in a better world. How wise, equal, and beneficent are all the institutions of God!
Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.
Canonical locus
Joshua 20:9
Source lane
Apologetics Bible source bundle
Named authorities or texts detected in the witness
- Israel
- Gentiles
- Scripture
- Lord
- Levites
Exposition: Joshua 20:9 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'These 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...'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.
Apologetics Notes
- Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
- Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
- Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.
Citation trailOpen the commentary counts, references, and named sources.
Scholarly apparatus
Commentary citation index
This chapter now surfaces commentary as quoted witness material with an explicit citation trail. The index below gathers the canonical references and named authorities detected inside the commentary layer for faster academic review.
Direct commentary witnesses
4
Generated editorial witnesses
5
Source lane
Apologetics Bible source bundle
Canonical references surfaced in commentary
- Joshua 20:1
- Num 35:11
- Joshua 20:2
- Joshua 20:3
- Joshua 20:4
- Joshua 20:5
- Joshua 20:6
- Num 35:33
- Heb 6:17
- Heb 6:18
- Joshua 20:7
- Joshua 20:8
- Joshua 20:9
Named authorities or texts surfaced in commentary
- Jordan
- Now
- Lord
- Christ
- Kedesh
- Shechem
- Government
- Hebron
- Bezer
- Ramoth
- Golan
- Galilee
- Judah
- Ephraim
- Jericho
- Gilead
- Gaulonitis
- Bashan
- Manasseh
- Reuben
- Gad
- Israel
- Gentiles
- Scripture
- Levites
Book directory Open the 66-book reader directory Use this when you need a specific book. The passage reader above stays first.
Choose a book and open the reader.
Each card opens chapter 1 for that canonical book. The directory is here for navigation, not as the first thing a visitor has to read.
Examples: Genesis, Psalms, Gospels, prophets, Romans, Revelation.
Genesis
Rendered chapters 1–50 are mapped to the public reader path for Genesis. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Exodus
Rendered chapters 1–40 are mapped to the public reader path for Exodus. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Leviticus
Rendered chapters 1–27 are mapped to the public reader path for Leviticus. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Numbers
Rendered chapters 1–36 are mapped to the public reader path for Numbers. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Deuteronomy
Rendered chapters 1–34 are mapped to the public reader path for Deuteronomy. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Joshua
Rendered chapters 1–24 are mapped to the public reader path for Joshua. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Judges
Rendered chapters 1–21 are mapped to the public reader path for Judges. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Ruth
Rendered chapters 1–4 are mapped to the public reader path for Ruth. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
1 Samuel
Rendered chapters 1–31 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 Samuel. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
2 Samuel
Rendered chapters 1–24 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 Samuel. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
1 Kings
Rendered chapters 1–22 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 Kings. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
2 Kings
Rendered chapters 1–25 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 Kings. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
1 Chronicles
Rendered chapters 1–29 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 Chronicles. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
2 Chronicles
Rendered chapters 1–36 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 Chronicles. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Ezra
Rendered chapters 1–10 are mapped to the public reader path for Ezra. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Nehemiah
Rendered chapters 1–13 are mapped to the public reader path for Nehemiah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Esther
Rendered chapters 1–10 are mapped to the public reader path for Esther. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Job
Rendered chapters 1–42 are mapped to the public reader path for Job. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Psalms
Rendered chapters 1–150 are mapped to the public reader path for Psalms. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Proverbs
Rendered chapters 1–31 are mapped to the public reader path for Proverbs. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Ecclesiastes
Rendered chapters 1–12 are mapped to the public reader path for Ecclesiastes. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Song of Solomon
Rendered chapters 1–8 are mapped to the public reader path for Song of Solomon. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Isaiah
Rendered chapters 1–66 are mapped to the public reader path for Isaiah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Jeremiah
Rendered chapters 1–52 are mapped to the public reader path for Jeremiah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Lamentations
Rendered chapters 1–5 are mapped to the public reader path for Lamentations. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Ezekiel
Rendered chapters 1–48 are mapped to the public reader path for Ezekiel. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Daniel
Rendered chapters 1–12 are mapped to the public reader path for Daniel. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Hosea
Rendered chapters 1–14 are mapped to the public reader path for Hosea. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Joel
Rendered chapters 1–3 are mapped to the public reader path for Joel. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Amos
Rendered chapters 1–9 are mapped to the public reader path for Amos. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Obadiah
Rendered chapter 1 are mapped to the public reader path for Obadiah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Jonah
Rendered chapters 1–4 are mapped to the public reader path for Jonah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Micah
Rendered chapters 1–7 are mapped to the public reader path for Micah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Nahum
Rendered chapters 1–3 are mapped to the public reader path for Nahum. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Habakkuk
Rendered chapters 1–3 are mapped to the public reader path for Habakkuk. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Zephaniah
Rendered chapters 1–3 are mapped to the public reader path for Zephaniah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Haggai
Rendered chapters 1–2 are mapped to the public reader path for Haggai. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Zechariah
Rendered chapters 1–14 are mapped to the public reader path for Zechariah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Malachi
Rendered chapters 1–4 are mapped to the public reader path for Malachi. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Matthew
Rendered chapters 1–28 are mapped to the public reader path for Matthew. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Mark
Rendered chapters 1–16 are mapped to the public reader path for Mark. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Luke
Rendered chapters 1–24 are mapped to the public reader path for Luke. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
John
Rendered chapters 1–21 are mapped to the public reader path for John. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Acts
Rendered chapters 1–28 are mapped to the public reader path for Acts. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Romans
Rendered chapters 1–16 are mapped to the public reader path for Romans. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
1 Corinthians
Rendered chapters 1–16 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 Corinthians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
2 Corinthians
Rendered chapters 1–13 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 Corinthians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Galatians
Rendered chapters 1–6 are mapped to the public reader path for Galatians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Ephesians
Rendered chapters 1–6 are mapped to the public reader path for Ephesians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Philippians
Rendered chapters 1–4 are mapped to the public reader path for Philippians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Colossians
Rendered chapters 1–4 are mapped to the public reader path for Colossians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
1 Thessalonians
Rendered chapters 1–5 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 Thessalonians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
2 Thessalonians
Rendered chapters 1–3 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 Thessalonians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
1 Timothy
Rendered chapters 1–6 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 Timothy. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
2 Timothy
Rendered chapters 1–4 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 Timothy. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Titus
Rendered chapters 1–3 are mapped to the public reader path for Titus. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Philemon
Rendered chapter 1 are mapped to the public reader path for Philemon. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Hebrews
Rendered chapters 1–13 are mapped to the public reader path for Hebrews. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
James
Rendered chapters 1–5 are mapped to the public reader path for James. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
1 Peter
Rendered chapters 1–5 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 Peter. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
2 Peter
Rendered chapters 1–3 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 Peter. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
1 John
Rendered chapters 1–5 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 John. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
2 John
Rendered chapter 1 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 John. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
3 John
Rendered chapter 1 are mapped to the public reader path for 3 John. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Jude
Rendered chapter 1 are mapped to the public reader path for Jude. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
Revelation
Rendered chapters 1–22 are mapped to the public reader path for Revelation. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.
No book matched that filter yet
Try a book name like Genesis, Psalms, Romans, or Revelation, or switch back to a broader testament filter.
What this explorer shows today
The public reader has book-by-book chapter entry points across the 66-book canon. Deeper corpus and provenance details stay on the supporting Bible Data shelves.
Return to Apologetics Bible Use Bible Insights Use Bible Data
Commentary Witness
Joshua 20:1
Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.
Canonical locus
Joshua 20:1
Source lane
Apologetics Bible source bundle
Named authorities or texts detected in the witness