Joshua 20:7-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 20:7-9

We have here the nomination of the cities of refuge in the land of Canaan, which was made by the advice and authority of Joshua and the princes (Josh. 20:7); and upon occasion of the mention of this is repeated the nomination of the other three in the lot of the other two tribes and a half, which was made by Moses (Deut. 4:43), but (as bishop Patrick thinks) they had not the privilege till now. 1. They are said to sanctify these cities, that is the original word for appointed, Josh. 20:7. Not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 20:7

And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in Mount Naphtali ,.... Of which see Joshua 19:37 ; the appointment of this and the two cities following was made by the children of Israel at this time: and Shechem in Mount Ephraim ; called Sichem, Genesis 12:6 ; and Shechem from a prince of that name that possessed it, Genesis 34:2 ; it fell to the lot of the tribe of Ephraim; its name in the New Testament is Sychar, John 4:5 ; and it is now called Neapolis, or Naplouse: and Kirjatharba,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 20:8

And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward ,.... In the country possessed by the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh: 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 ; of these places, and the signification of their names, and of the application of them to Christ, the antitype of the cities of refuge; see Gill on Deuteronomy 4:43 .... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 20:7

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 Numbers 35:33 ; it has been stated that these cities were a type of our blessed Lord, and that the apostle... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 20:7

Verse 7 7.And they appointed Kedesh, etc The Hebrew word Kedesh here used, signifies also to fit and consecrate. Accordingly, I interpret, that cities were selected according as common use required. (174) Hence it is inferred that matters were well arranged so as to make private yield to public interest. Moreover, we shall see in the next chapter, that Ciriath-Arbah, which was afterwards called Hebron, was transferred to the Levites, though it had formerly been the property of Caleb. Hence... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 20:1-9

The cities of refuge. The institution of these cities was intended to put bounds to revenge, while providing for the punishment of crime. As Lange remarks, the Mosaic law found the principle of vengeance at the hand of the nearest relative of the deceased already recognised, and desired to direct and restrain it. Three considerations suggest themselves on this point. I. THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE . The most serious crime one man could commit against another (offences against God... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 20:7

And they appointed. The original, which, strange to say, the LXX . and Vulgate, as well as our version, have neglected to render, is sanctified ( heiligten, Luther). The selection is itself a proof that our author knew well what he was writing about. It is not likely that in the later times of Jewish history, when the law had been forgotten ( 2 Kings 22:8 ) and its precepts had long been in abeyance, that the institution of the city of refuge remained in full force. But we find three... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 20:8

By Jericho eastward. Or, eastward of Jericho. This, of course, only refers to Bezer. The plain. The Mishor, or table land (see Joshua 3:16 , Joshua 9:1 , and notes). Our version, by its renderings, obscures the beautiful precision with which our historian never fails to hit off the physical geography of the country. Thus, the plain of Bashan, Gilead, and Reuben is always the Mishor; the strip of land between the mountains and the Mediterranean is always the Shephelah; the depression of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 20:7

Joshua 20:7. And they appointed Concerning these cities, note, 1st, That they were all upon mountains, that they might be seen at a great distance, and so direct those who fled thither. 2d, That they were seated at a convenient distance one from another, for the benefit of the several tribes; for Kedesh was in the north, Hebron in the south, and Shechem between them. 3d, That they all belonged to the Levites; partly, that these causes might be more impartially examined and justly determined... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 20:8-9

Joshua 20:8-9. On the other side Jordan they assigned Or had assigned, or given; for these cities were assigned by Moses before he died, Deuteronomy 4:41. They were not, however, properly speaking, invested with the privilege till now, when they were applied to the use for which Moses had designed them. The stranger Not only proselytes, but others also; because this was a matter of common right, that a distinction should be made between casual man-slayers and wilful murderers. read more

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