Deuteronomy 4:41

41 Then Moses set apart three cities in the east beyond the Jordan,

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 therefore this day, and lay it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.

40 Therefore you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you this day, that it may go well with you, and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the LORD your God gives you for ever."

41 Then Moses set apart three cities in the east beyond the Jordan,

42 that the manslayer might flee there, who kills his neighbor unintentionally, without being at enmity with him in time past, and that by fleeing to one of these cities he might save his life:

43 Bezer in the wilderness on the tableland for the Reubenites, and Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manas'sites.