Joshua 20:8

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 20:8

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

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 20:8

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 20:8-9

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 20:1-9

Cities for the Levites (20:1-21:45)The Levites were given forty-eight cities throughout Israel, along with surrounding pasture lands for their cattle (see 21:41-42; Numbers 35:1-8). Among these cities were six cities of refuge (Numbers 35:6). These were cities where a person who had killed another could flee for safety until he had been lawfully judged (Exodus 21:12-14). If he was found guilty of murder he was to be executed, but if he was found to have caused the death accidentally, he could... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 20:1-9

1. The cities of refuge ch. 20At this time, the tribal leaders formally designated the six cities of refuge, about which Moses had received instructions (Numbers 35). Three stood west of the Jordan: Kadesh in Naphtali, Shechem in Manasseh, and Hebron in Judah (Joshua 20:7). Three more were east of the Jordan: Bezer in Reuben, Ramoth in Gad, and Golan in Manasseh (Joshua 20:8). Their placement meant that no Israelite would have to travel far to reach one of them. [Note: See my notes on Numbers... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 20:1-42

D. The special cities chs. 20:1-21:42God also set aside special cities for special purposes within the Promised Land. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 20:1-9

The Appointment of Cities of RefugeThe allotment of the tribal inheritance is followed by the appointment of six cities of refuge previously provided and in part assigned by Moses, according to the terms of the Sinaitic law concerning manslaughter: cp. Exodus 21:13; Numbers 35:6. These are enumerated in the following order:—W. of Jordan: Kedesh (N.), Shechem (central), Hebron (S.); E. of Jordan: Bezer (S.), Ramoth-Gilead (central), Golan (N.). Geographical considerations must have had the first... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Joshua 20:1-9

CHAPTER XXVII.THE CITIES OF REFUGE.Joshua 20:1-9.CITIES of refuge had a very prominent place assigned to them in the records of the Mosaic legislation. First, in that which all allow to be the earliest legislation (Exod. Chs. 20-23) intimation is given of God’s intention to institute such cities (Exodus 21:13); then in Numbers (Numbers 35:9-34) the plan of these places is given in full, and all the regulations applicable to them; again in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 19:1-13) the law on the subject... read more

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