Joshua 20:1–9 describes the allocation and purpose of the cities of refuge. These cities were Levitical cities designated as a place of asylum for anyone who took the life of another person by accident (see Numbers 35:6). The idea was that those guilty of unintentional homicide could flee to one of these cities for protection and a fair trial.

In the context of Joshua, the allocation and purpose of these cities are mentioned in order to confirm that the people of Israel are doing what the Lord commanded them to do.