5 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.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 20:5

Commentary on Joshua 20:1-6

(Read Joshua 20:1-6)

When the Israelites were settled in their promised inheritance, they were reminded to set apart the cities of refuge, whose use and typical meaning have been explained, Hebrews 6:18.