Old Testament
Joshua 20:1
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
The LORD spoke to Joshua, saying,
Compare translations
The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,
What Joshua 20:1 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, we see a direct communication from God to Joshua, emphasizing the importance of divine guidance in leadership. God speaks to Joshua, indicating that He has specific instructions for him. This moment highlights the relationship between God and His chosen leaders, showing that Joshua is not acting on his own but is receiving direction from the Lord. The act of God speaking signifies His active involvement in the affairs of His people, particularly in matters of justice and governance. This communication sets the stage for the establishment of cities of refuge, which will be discussed in the following verses. It underscores the necessity of listening to God’s voice for making decisions that align with His will. Joshua's role as a leader is to convey God's instructions to the people, ensuring that they understand and follow God's laws. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking God's guidance in all aspects of life, especially when faced with significant decisions or challenges.
How to apply Joshua 20:1 to your life
In our daily lives, we should seek God's guidance through prayer and scripture. Just as Joshua listened to God, we too can find direction for our decisions. This encourages us to cultivate a relationship with God, ensuring we align our actions with His will.
Curated for this public verse page. Joshua Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

Illustrated scene from Joseph, Jacob's son's story: Joseph Is Born (Genesis 30:22–24)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Joseph, Jacob's son

Photo: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samantha R. Ciaramitaro, via DVIDS and Wikimedia Commons. License: Public domain in the United States — U.S. federal-government work. Source. Location: Great Ziggurat, Ur Archaeological City (Tell el-Mukayyar), Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Ur
The city Abram's family left to travel toward Canaan.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Joshua 20:1
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Joshua 20:1
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Joshua
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Joshua and later compilers
- Written
- Around 1400-1370 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites entering Canaan
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Joshua 20:1 mean?
Joshua 20:1 shows God directly communicating with Joshua, highlighting the importance of divine guidance in leadership. It emphasizes that Joshua is receiving specific instructions from God, which is crucial for making decisions that align with God's will.
How can we apply Joshua 20:1 to our lives?
We can apply Joshua 20:1 by seeking God's guidance through prayer and scripture, just as Joshua did. This encourages us to cultivate a relationship with God to ensure our decisions align with His will.
What themes are present in Joshua 20:1?
The themes present in Joshua 20:1 include divine guidance, leadership, communication with God, obedience, justice, and community support. These themes highlight the importance of following God's direction in our lives.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.