Deuteronomy 4:41

41 Then Moses set aside three cities east of the Jordan River ¹

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 So remember today and never forget: the Lord is God in heaven and on earth. There is no other god.

40 Obey all his laws that I have given you today, and all will go well with you and your descendants. You will continue to live in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to be yours forever."

41 Then Moses set aside three cities east of the Jordan River

42 to which a man could escape and be safe if he had accidentally killed someone who had not been his enemy. He could escape to one of these cities and not be put to death.

43 For the tribe of Reuben there was the city of Bezer, on the desert plateau; for the tribe of Gad there was Ramoth, in the territory of Gilead; and for the tribe of Manasseh there was Golan, in the territory of Bashan.

Cross References

• 1. 4.41-43Joshua 20.8, 9.