Joshua 20:8-9

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 20:9

These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel ,.... For the common use of them all, and not for that tribe only in which they stood: and for the stranger that sojourneth among them ; not only for the proselytes of righteousness, but for the proselytes of the gate also, as well as for the natives of Israel; Christ is a refuge for Jews and Gentiles, for all sinners that flee to him: that whosoever killeth any person unawares might flee thither ; and find shelter and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 20:9

For all the children of Israel , and for the stranger - As these typified the great provision which God was making for the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles, hence the stranger as well as the Israelite had the same right to the benefits of these cities of refuge. Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Until he stood before the congregation - The judges and elders of the people, in trying civil and criminal causes, always sat;... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 20:9

Appointed . Or, of refuge or resort. Our version has followed the LXX . and Vulgate here. Greek, unawares; Hebrew, in error or inadvertently, as above. Matthew Henry's note on the cities of refuge is worthy of remark. He says, "I delight not in quibbling on names, yet am willing to take notice of these." Thus Kedesh, he reminds us, is holy. Shechem, a shoulder, reminding us of Him upon whose shoulder the government was to be. Hebron is fellowship, recalling the fellowship we... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 20:9

killeth any person = smiteth a soul". Hebrew. nephesh. See App-13 . read more

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