Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then Moses set aside three cities east of the Jordan, New Living Translation Then Moses set apart three cities of refuge east of the Jordan River. English Standard Version Then Moses set apart three cities in the east beyond the Jordan, Berean Standard Bible Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east King James Bible Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sunrising; New King James Version Then Moses set apart three cities on this side of the Jordan, toward the rising of the sun, New American Standard Bible Then Moses set apart three cities across the Jordan to the east, NASB 1995 Then Moses set apart three cities across the Jordan to the east, NASB 1977 Then Moses set apart three cities across the Jordan to the east, Legacy Standard Bible Then Moses set apart three cities across the Jordan to the east toward the sunrise, Amplified Bible Then Moses set apart three cities [of refuge] beyond the Jordan toward the rising of the sun (eastward), Christian Standard Bible Then Moses set apart three cities across the Jordan to the east. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then Moses set apart three cities across the Jordan to the east. American Standard Version Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising; English Revised Version Then Moses separated three cities beyond Jordan toward the sunrising; GOD'S WORD® Translation Then Moses set aside three cities on the east side of the Jordan River. Good News Translation Then Moses set aside three cities east of the Jordan River International Standard Version Then Moses designated three cities on the east side of the Jordan, Majority Standard Bible Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east NET Bible Then Moses selected three cities in the Transjordan, toward the east. New Heart English Bible Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise; Webster's Bible Translation Then Moses set apart three cities on the side of Jordan, towards the sun-rising; World English Bible Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThen Moses separates three cities beyond the Jordan, toward the sun-rising, Young's Literal Translation Then Moses separateth three cities beyond the Jordan, towards the sun-rising, Smith's Literal Translation Then Moses will separate three cities in the other side of Jordan from the rising of the sun; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen Moses set aside three cities beyond the Jordan at the east side, Catholic Public Domain Version Then Moses set aside three cities, across the Jordan toward the eastern region, New American Bible Then Moses set apart three cities in the region east of the Jordan, New Revised Standard Version Then Moses set apart on the east side of the Jordan three cities Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen Moses set apart three cities on this side of the Jordan toward the rising sun; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Then Moshe separated three cities at the crossing of Jordan from the dawning of the sun; OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then Moses separated three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising; Brenton Septuagint Translation Then Moses separated three cities beyond Jordan on the east, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Cities of Refuge41Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east 42to which a manslayer could flee after killing his neighbor unintentionally without prior malice. To save one’s own life, he could flee to one of these cities:… Cross References Joshua 20:1-9 Then the LORD said to Joshua, / “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, / so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. ... Numbers 35:9-15 Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, / designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. ... Hebrews 6:18 Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged. Joshua 21:13-38 So to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave these cities, together with their pasturelands: Hebron, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Libnah, / Jattir, Eshtemoa, / Holon, Debir, ... 1 Chronicles 6:57-81 So the descendants of Aaron were given Hebron (a city of refuge), Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, / Hilen, Debir, / Ashan, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh, together with their pasturelands. ... Exodus 21:13 If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. Acts 2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ Romans 10:13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Psalm 46:1 For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Isaiah 25:4 For You have been a refuge for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like rain against a wall, Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him. Matthew 5:21-22 You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. Luke 10:29-37 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” / Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. / Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ... Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Treasury of Scripture Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sun rise; Numbers 35:6,14,15 And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities… Joshua 20:2-9 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: … Jump to Previous Apart Cities East Jordan Marked Moses Separated Separateth Severed Side Sunrise Sunrising Sun-Rising Three Towards TownsJump to Next Apart Cities East Jordan Marked Moses Separated Separateth Severed Side Sunrise Sunrising Sun-Rising Three Towards TownsDeuteronomy 4 1. An exhortation to obedience41. Moses appoints the three cities of refuge on that side of Jordan 44. Recapitulation Then Moses set aside This phrase indicates a deliberate action taken by Moses, the leader of the Israelites. It reflects his role as a lawgiver and mediator between God and the people. The setting aside of cities is part of the legal and societal structure established for the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of justice and mercy within the community. This act is in obedience to God's earlier commands regarding cities of refuge (Numbers 35:9-15). three cities across the Jordan to the east Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who, under God's guidance, led them out of Egypt and through the wilderness. In this verse, he is responsible for setting aside cities of refuge. 2. Cities of Refuge These were designated places where individuals who had accidentally committed manslaughter could flee for safety from the avenger of blood until they stood trial. 3. Jordan River A significant geographical landmark for the Israelites, representing the boundary between the wilderness and the Promised Land. 4. East of the Jordan The region where the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh settled. It is significant as the location of the cities of refuge mentioned in this verse. 5. Israelites The chosen people of God, who were given laws and commandments to live by, including the establishment of cities of refuge. Teaching Points God's Provision for Justice and MercyThe cities of refuge demonstrate God's balance of justice and mercy, providing a way for the innocent to be protected while awaiting trial. The Importance of Obedience Moses' obedience in setting aside these cities reflects the importance of following God's commands precisely, even in logistical matters. Spiritual Refuge in Christ Just as the cities provided physical safety, Christ offers spiritual refuge. Believers can find safety and rest in Him from the consequences of sin. Community Responsibility The establishment of these cities highlights the community's role in protecting the innocent and ensuring justice is served. Preparation and Planning The foresight in establishing these cities before entering the Promised Land teaches the value of preparation and planning in accordance with God's will.THE APPOINTMENT OF THREE CITIES OF REFUGE. (41) Then Moses severed.--The word "then" appears to be a note of time. It would seem that the appointment of the three cities of refuge on the eastern side of Jordan actually followed this discourse. On this side Jordan.--Heb., b' 'eber hay-yarden. The expression is here defined by the words that follow, "toward the sun-rising," and it need not, therefore, be taken to fix the writer's point of view. By itself, the expression would naturally mean, on the other side of Jordan. (43) Bezer is as yet unidentified. Ramoth in Gilead, though famous in the history of Israel as the scene of Ahab's death and of the anointing of Jehu (1 Kings 21 and 2 Kings 9), is also as yet unknown. Golan has given a name to the district of Gaulonitis. But it is as yet also unknown. We may hope that when the survey of Eastern Palestine is concluded, these ancient sites will be recovered. Verses 41-43. - APPOINTMENT OF THREE CITIES OF REFUGE BEYOND JORDAN. A short historical notice is here inserted, probably because it was during the interval between the first and second addresses of Moses that he carried into effect the Divine command to appoint cities of refuge for the manslayer (Numbers 35:9, etc.; cf. Exodus 21:13). This notice, therefore, is here in its proper place in the order of the narrative. That Moses should, just at this stage, have made this appointment was fitting and proper, seeing he had been urging on the people obedience to the Divine statutes and commandments, and had represented their conquest of the territory of Sihon and Og as an earnest of their ultimate possession of the whole land of the Amorites. By appointing these cities, Moses gave an example of obedience to God's injunction, and, at the same time, not only asserted on the part of Israel a right of proprietorship in this trans-Jordanic territory, but assumed as certain that, on the ether side of Jordan also, the same right of proprietorship should be possessed and exercised by Israel in the fulfilling of the whole law concerning cities of refuge (cf. Deuteronomy 19:1, etc.). That this section belongs properly to Numbers 35, 36, and has been interpolated here by some later hand, is a pure assumption, for which there is no ground. Verse 41. - On this side Jordan; beyond Jordan, more expressly defined as toward the sun rising, viz. on the east of that river. |
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