Deuteronomy 4:41

41 Then Moshe separated three cities on the east side of the Yarden, toward the sunrise,

Deuteronomy 4:41 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:41

Then Moses severed three cities
To be cities of refuge, according to the command of God, ( Numbers 35:14 ) this he did when he had conquered the two kingdoms of the Amorites, that God had given them for an inheritance to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, ( Deuteronomy 4:38 ) though Jarchi says, and so other Jewish writers, that persons were not received into them until the three cities appointed in the land of Canaan were separated for the like use; (See Gill on Numbers 35:14) and these were,

on this side Jordan, toward the rising sun;
on that side of the river on which the plains of Moab lay, and the kingdoms of the Amorites, and to the east of Jordan: so Jarchi remarks,

``on that side which is on the east of Jordan;''

see ( Joshua 20:8 ) .

Deuteronomy 4:41 In-Context

39 know today, and establish it in your heart, that ADONAI is God in heaven above and on earth below - there is no other.

40 Therefore, you are to keep his laws and mitzvot which I am giving you today, so that it will go well with you and with your children after you, and so that you will prolong your days in the land ADONAI your God is giving you forever."

41 Then Moshe separated three cities on the east side of the Yarden, toward the sunrise,

42 to which a killer might flee, that is, someone who kills by mistake a person whom he did not previously hate, and upon fleeing to one of these cities might live there.

43 The cities were Betzer in the desert, in the flatland, for the Re'uveni; Ramot in Gil'ad for the Gadi; and Golan in Bashan for the M'nashi.