Joshua 20

^A “Lord” = YHVH. From the same as YHVH (the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton; pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place); {from havah (to be, become) or hayah (to come to pass, become, be)}. This is a secondary spelling of the Lord, the name of the God of Israel. It has the same meaning.
^B “spoke” = dabar. This is generally to speak, answer, declare, or command. It might mean to arrange and so to speak in a figurative sense as arranging words.
^C “Joshua” = Yehoshua. Related to “Lord” in v1. From YHVH (see note A above) + yasha (to deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue; properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. So, in a causative sense, this is to free someone). This is Joshua, Jeshua, or Yehoshua, which means “the Lord is salvation.”
^D “saying” = amar. This is to speak, say, answer, command, promise, report.

^E “say” = dabar. Same as “spoke” in v1. See note B above.
^F “Israelites” = ben + Yisrael. Literally, “children of Israel.” Ben is from banah (to build or obtain children). This is son, age, child. It is son in a literal or figurative sense. Yisrael is from sarah (to persist, exert oneself, contend, persevere, wrestle, prevail) + El (God or god). This is Israel, meaning God strives or one who strives with God; new name for Jacob and for his offspring. This refers to the people and to the land.
^G {untranslated} = amar. Same as “saying” in v1. See note D above.
^H “appoint” = natan. This is to give, put, set, offer. It is to give literally or figuratively.

^I “cities” = iyr. From uwr (to awaken or wake oneself up). This can mean excitement in the sense of wakefulness or city. Properly, this is a place that is guarded. Guards kept schedules according to watches. This sense of the word would include cities as well as encampments or posts that were guarded.
^J “refuge” = miqlat. Perhaps from qalat (to lack a portion, be stunted). This is a refuge or asylum.
^K {untranslated} = yad. This is hand, ability, power. Hand in a literal sense, but also what one can do or the means by which one does it.
^L “Moses” = Mosheh. From mashah (to pull out in a literal or figurative sense, to draw out) OR from Egyptian mes or mesu (child, son i.e. child of…). This is Moses – the one drawn out from the water, which is to say, rescued. If derived from the Egyptian, his name would share a root with Rameses and Thutmose.

^M “anyone” = ratsach. Properly, this is to dash something to pieces. It is to kill a person, but it is used particularly (though not exclusively) for murder.
^N “kills” = nakah. This is to hit whether lightly or severely. It can be used in a literal or figurative sense. So, this could be beat, punish, give wounds, kill, or slaughter.
^O “person” = nephesh. Related to naphash (to refresh or be refreshed). This is soul, self, person, emotion. It is a breathing creature. Can also refer to appetites and desires.
^P “without intent” = shegagah. 19x in OT. From shagag (to go astray, sin, be deceived; to sin through ignorance). This is an inadvertent sin or a sin that came from an error/mistake.

^Q “by mistake” = beli + daat. Beli is from balah (to grow old, wear out, waste away, consume, spend). This is properly a failure. So, it could mean without, not yet, unawares, lacking, something that wears out, or because not. Daat is from yada (to know, be aware, see and so understand – includes observation, care, recognition; can also be used as a euphemism). This is knowledge, unawares, cunning, wittingly.
^R “flee” = nus. This is to flee, vanish away, hide, escape, be displayed.
^S “be” = hayah. Related to “Lord” and “Joshua” in v1. See note A above.
^T “avenger” = gaal. This is to redeem someone or something according to kinship laws. So, it could be acting on a relative’s behalf to buy back their property, to marry one’s brother’s widow, etc. This could be more briefly translated as to redeem, acts as kinsman, or purchase. As a noun, it could be deliverer or avenger.
^U “blood” = dam. Perhaps from damam (to cease, be or become mute, silent, still, cut off, hold peace, be astonished, die). This is blood, bloodshed, bloodguilt, lifeblood, and death. It is used for people and animals. More often blood from a wound or the blood of the innocent. Used figuratively for violence or for wine. Closely tied to life and death.

^V “one” = echad. Perhaps from achad (to unify, continue on a path; figuratively, to gather one’s thoughts). This is the number one, first, united. It can also be alone, altogether, a certain, a few.
^W “stand” = amad. This is to stand up in a literal or figurative sense. So it can be establish, continue, endure, take a stand, act, be a servant, stand still, remain, stand against an enemy.
^X “entrance” = pethach. From pathach (to open wide in a literal or figurative sense; to open, draw out, let something go free, break forth, to plow, engrave, or carve). This is any kind of opening – a door, entrance, gate.
^Y “gate” = shaar. May be related to sha’ar (to calculate or reckon; may come from a root that means to open up or split). This is a gate, door, or other opening like a port.

^Z “explain” = dabar. Same as “spoke” in v1. See note B above.
^AA “case” = dabar. Related to “spoke” in v1. From dabar (see note B above). This is speech, a word, a matter, an affair, charge, command, message, promise, purpose, report, request. It is a word, which implies things that are spoken of in a wide sense.
^BB {untranslated} = ozen. This is ear, hearing, audience, show. Properly, it is broadness – applied to its ear in reference to its shape.
^CC “elders” = zaqen. From the same as zaqan (beard or chin – the beard represents old age). This is old, aged, or elder.

^DD “taken” = asaph. This is to gather, assemble, or bring. It can also mean to take away, destroy, or remove.
^EE “given” = natan. Same as “appoint” in v2. See note H above.
^FF “place” = maqom. From qum (to arise, stand, accomplish, establish, abide; rising against, getting up after being sick or asleep, arising from one state to another, becoming powerful, or rising for action; standing in a figurative sense). This is a standing, which is to say a spot or space a place. It can also refer to a locality or a physical/mental condition. HaMaqom is also a Jewish name for God – the place, i.e. the Omnipresent One.
^GG “remain” = yashab. This is to sit and so to remain and so to dwell. It is sitting for any reason – as a judge, in order to ambush, or just sitting quietly. Causatively, this can mean settling or marrying. This can also mean continue, endure, or establish.

^HH “is in pursuit” = radaph…achar. Radaph is to chase after, pursue, hunt, or persecute. It is running after someone or something, generally with hostile motives. Achar is from achar (to remain behind, linger, continue, be behind, or delay; can also imply procrastination). This is after or the last part, following.
^II “give up” = sagar. This is to shut up, imprison, lock, hand over, or figuratively surrender.
^JJ {untranslated} = yad. Same as {untranslated} in v2. See note K above.
^KK “slayer” = ratsach. Same as “anyone” in v3. See note M above.

^LL “neighbor” = rea. From raah (to associate with). This is the same as neighbor in Leviticus 19:18 “love your neighbor as yourself.” This is friend, companion, fellow, neighbor. It is someone with whom you associate, whether more or less close.
^MM “enmity” = sane. This is to hate, an enemy. It is a personal hatred and not an abstract one.
^NN “before” = temol + shilshom. Temol may be from ethmol (formerly, before, yesterday, time); {from et (with, among, beside, including, toward, near); from anah (to meet, happen, approach)} + mul (front, opposite, toward); {from mul (to cut short, circumcise, blunt, destroy)}. This is ago, recently, yesterday, past. Shilshom is from shalash (to make triplicate, do a third time); from the same as shalosh (three, fork, three times). This is three days ago, before, yesterday in the past.

^OO “is a trial” = amad…mishpat Amad is the same as “stand” in v4. See note W above. Mishpat is from shaphat (to judge, defend, pronounce judgment, condemn, govern). This is a verdict or formal sentence whether from humans or from God. It includes the act of judging as well as the place that judging takes place, the suit itself, and the penalty. Abstractly, this is justice, which includes the rights of the participants.
^PP “before” = paneh. From panah (to turn, face, appear). This is face in a literal or figurative sense. It could be face, presence, anger, respect. It can also be used of God to indicate divine favor or presence.
^QQ “congregation” = edah. From yaad (to appoint, assemble or gather selves, agree) OR from ed (witness, testimony, recorder); from ud (to admonish, repeat, duplicate, testify, restore, record, relieve). This is a congregation, assembly, or company. It could be a family, crowd, or fixture.

^RR “death” = mavet. From muth (to die in a literal or figurative sense). This can be death, deadliness, the dead, or the place where the dead go. It can be used figuratively for pestilence or ruin.
^SS “high” = gadol. From gadal (to grow up, become great, become wealthy – to advance. The root meaning may be to twist in the sense of the process of growing). This is great, high, bigger, noble, old, marvelous. It can also refer to someone who is powerful or distinguished.
^TT “priest” = kohen. This is literally the one who officiates i.e. the priest. This is where the Jewish last name “Cohen” (and its variants) comes from.
^UU “time” = yom. Root may mean being hot. This is the day in a literal or figurative sense. It can also mean birth, age, daylight, continually or other references to time.

^VV “return” = shub. To turn back, return, turn away – literally or figuratively. Doesn’t necessarily imply going back to where you started from. This is also the root verb for the Hebrew word for repentance “teshubah.”
^WW “home” = bayit. Related to “Israelites” in v2. Probably from banah (see note F above). This is house, court, family, palace, temple.
^XX {untranslated} = bo. This is to enter, come in, advance, fulfill, bring offerings, enter to worship, attack. It can also have a sexual connotation.
^YY “town” = iyr. Same as “cities” in v2. See note I above.
^ZZ “deed was done” = nus. Same as “flee” in v3. See note R above.

^AAA “set apart” = qadash. From qodesh (set apart and so sacred; God is different from us and so God is holy/set apart; things we dedicate to God’s service are set apart for God and so they, too, are holy). This is set apart, consecrated, hallowed, sanctified. This is something or someone that is set apart for a holy purpose or use – ceremonially or morally clean.
^BBB “Kedesh” = Qedesh. Related to “set apart” in v7. 12x in OT. From the same as qodesh (see note AAA above). This is Kedesh or Qedesh, meaning “sanctuary” or “sanctum.”
^CCC “Galilee” = Galil. 6x in OT. From galal (to roll in a literal or figurative sense, roll away, roll down, wallow, remove, trust). This is a circle, district, or ring. It is also Galilee.

^DDD “hill country” = har. From harar (hill or mountain). This is mountain, hill, hilly region.
^EEE “Naphtali” = Naphtali. From pathal (to twist, twine, wrestle, struggle, behave in an unsavory way). This is Naphtali, meaning “my wrestling.” It can refer to Naphtali, his tribe, or the lands of the tribe.
^FFF “Shechem” = Shekem. From the same as shekem (shoulder, neck, or some other place that bears burdens; figuratively, the spur of a hill, or one’s allotted portion); from shakam (to rise early, begin work early; properly, this is leaning one’s shoulder or back into a load or a burden; also, loading an animal for work). This is Shechem, meaning “ridge.”
^GGG “Ephraim” = Ephrayim. From the same as epher (ashes or dust – properly something strewn) OR from parah (to grow, increase, be fruitful in a literal or figurative sense). This is Ephraim, one of Joseph’s sons, his descendants, and their land.

^HHH “Kiriath-arba” = Qiryath arba. 9x in OT. From qiryah (city, building); from qarah (to happen, meet, bring about)} + arba (four); {from raba (to make square or be four-sided); perhaps from raba (to lie down flat; can be to lie for mating)}. This is Kiriath-arba, meaning “city of the four” or “four-fold city.” See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Kiriath-arba.html
^III “Hebron” = Chebron. From cheber (company, society, enchantment, wide); from chabar (to unite, ally, attach, touch; to join in a literal or figurative sense; also, specially, using magic knots or spells to fascinate or connect). This is Hebron, meaning “seat of association” or “league.”
^JJJ “Judah” = Yehudah. Probably from yadah (to throw one’s hands into the air in a gesture of praise); from yad (hand). This is Judah, meaning “praised.”

^KKK “beyond” = eber. From abar (to pass over, pass through, or pass by; cross over or to alienate; used for transitions). This is the place across or beyond, by, from, other, the opposite side, against, over. It often refers to the other side of the Jordan river or toward the east.
^LLL “Jordan” = Yarden. From yarad (to go down, descend; going down in a literal or figurative sense; going to the shore or a boundary, bringing down an enemy). This is the Jordan River, meaning “descending.”
^MMM “east” = mizrach. From zarach (to rise, shine, or dawn; can also describe symptoms of leprosy). This is the east as the place where the sun rises. It can also refer to the sunrise itself.
^NNN “Jericho” = Yericho. From yareach (moon); {from the same as yerach (month)} OR from ruach (smell, breathe, perceive, anticipate, accept, enjoy). This is Jericho meaning either “moon city” or “fragrant place.”

^OOO “Bezer” = Betser. 5x in OT. From the same as betser (precious ore, gold; literally, it is a clipping); from batsar (to cut off, fortify, gather, wall up, to be inaccessible). This is Bezer, a city whose name may mean “fortress” or “ore” or “gold ore” or “defense.” See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Bezer.html
^PPP “wilderness” = midbar. Related to “spoke” in v1 & {untranslated} in v4. From dabar (see note B above). This is mouth or speech. It can also be desert or wilderness. Additionally, it can be used for a pasture to which one drives cattle.
^QQQ “tableland” = mishor. From yashar (to be straight, right, even, smooth, or agreeable; figuratively, to make something pleasant or prosperous) This is a level place like a plain. It can also be the proper name of a level place. Figuratively, it can refer to straightness in the sense of justice, equity, fairness, righteousness, or uprightness. It can also refer to a concord.

^RRR “tribe” = matteh. From natah (to stretch or spread out, extend, bend). This is a staff, rod, branch, or tribe. It could be a rod for discipline or correction. It could be a scepter to indicate authority, a throwing lance, or a walking staff. Figuratively, it could also be something that supports life (like bread).
^SSS “Reuben” = Reuben. Related to “Israelites” in v2 & “home” in v6. From raah (to see, show, stare, think, view; to see in a literal or figurative sense) + ben (see note F above). This is Reuben, meaning “behold a son.”
^TTT “Ramoth” = Ramoth. 4x in OT. From rum (rise, bring up, being high, extol, exalt, haughty; to raise in a literal or figurative sense) OR from ramoth (something very valuable, maybe coral); {from raam (to trouble, be agitated, irritated, angered; a peal of thunder)}. This is Ramoth, a city meaning “heights” or “high places” or “lofty place.” See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Ramoth.html
^UUU “Gilead” = Gilad. Related to “Galilee” in v7 & to “congregation” in v6. From gala (to lay bare, quarrel, expose) OR from gal’ed (heap of testimony); {from gal (wave, billow, rock pile; something rolled; a spring of water); {from galal (see note CCC above)} + ed (see note QQ above)}. This is Gilead, meaning “perpetual fountain” or “heap of testimony.” See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Gilead.html#.Xw_EFShKhPY.

^VVV “Gad” = Gad. Perhaps from gad (fortune, troop; Gad, the name of a god of Babylon); from gad (fortunate, a troop); from gud (to invade, overcome, attack). This is Gad, one of Jacob’s children, his tribe and the land they settled. It means “fortune” or “fortunate.”
^WWW “Golan” = Golan. 4x in OT. Perhaps from golah (exile, captive, captivity, removing, or carried away); from galah (to remove, bring, carry, lead, appear, advertise; to strip someone or something bare in a negative sense; captives were typically stripped before they were sent into exile; used figuratively, in a positive sense, this word means reveal, disclose, discover). This is Golan, a city whose name meaning is uncertain.
^XXX “Bashan” = Bashan. Bashan is a place whose name may mean “smooth.”
^YYY “Manasseh” = Menashsheh. From nashah (to forget, neglect, remove, deprive). This is Manasseh, literally “causing to forget.” It is Manasseh, his tribe, or the lands of the tribe.

^ZZZ “designated” = muadah. Related to “congregation” in v6. From yaad (see note QQ above). This is designated or appointed. It could also refer to a location that was designated.
^AAAA “all” = kol. From kalal (to complete). This is all or every.
^BBBB “aliens” = ger. From gur (to abide or sojourn; to leave the road to lodge or for any other reason). This is sojourner, guest, stranger, foreigner.
^CCCC “residing” = gur. Related to “aliens” in v9. See note BBBB above.
^DDDD “among” = tavek. This is among, middle, in the midst, the center. Perhaps, properly, to sever.

^EEEE “anyone” = kol. Same as “all” in v8. See note AAAA above.
^FFFF “die” = mut. Related to “death” in v6. See note RR above.
^GGGG “hand” = yad. Same as {untranslated} in v2. See note K above.
^HHHH “was a trial” = amad. Same as “stand” in v4. See note W above.
^IIII “before” = paneh. Same as “before” in v6. See note PP above.