Deuteronomy 4:43
New International Version
The cities were these: Bezer in the wilderness plateau, for the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.

New Living Translation
These were the cities: Bezer on the wilderness plateau for the tribe of Reuben; Ramoth in Gilead for the tribe of Gad; Golan in Bashan for the tribe of Manasseh.

English Standard Version
Bezer in the wilderness on the tableland for the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.

Berean Standard Bible
Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau belonging to the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the Gadites, or Golan in Bashan belonging to the Manassites.

King James Bible
Namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.

New King James Version
Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau for the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.

New American Standard Bible
Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau for the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.

NASB 1995
Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau for the Reubenites, and Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.

NASB 1977
Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau for the Reubenites, and Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.

Legacy Standard Bible
Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau for the Reubenites, and Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.

Amplified Bible
Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau for the Reubenites, and Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.

Christian Standard Bible
Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau land, belonging to the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead, belonging to the Gadites; or Golan in Bashan, belonging to the Manassites.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau land, belonging to the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead, belonging to the Gadites; or Golan in Bashan, belonging to the Manassites.

American Standard Version
namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.

English Revised Version
namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The cities were Bezer on the desert plateau for the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead for the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan for the tribe of Manasseh.

Good News Translation
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.

International Standard Version
Bezer in the desert plain for the descendants of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead for the descendants of Gad, and Golan in Bashan for the descendants of Manasseh.

Majority Standard Bible
Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau belonging to the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the Gadites, or Golan in Bashan belonging to the Manassites.

NET Bible
These cities are Bezer, in the desert plateau, for the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan for the Manassehites.

New Heart English Bible
Bezer in the wilderness, on the plateau, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.

Webster's Bible Translation
Namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.

World English Bible
Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Bezer in the wilderness, in the land of the plain, for the Reubenite; and Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadite; and Golan in Bashan for the Manassite.

Young's Literal Translation
Bezer, in the wilderness, in the land of the plain, of the Reubenite; and Ramoth, in Gilead, of the Gadite; and Golan, in Bashan, of the Manassahite.

Smith's Literal Translation
Bezer in the desert, in the land of the plain to the Reubenites, and Ramoth in Gilead to the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan, to the Manassites.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Bosor in the wilderness, which is situate in the plains of the tribe of Ruben: and Ramoth in Galaad, which is in the tribe of Gad: and Golan in Basan, which is in the tribe of Manasses.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Bezer in the wilderness, which is situated in the plains of the tribe of Ruben; and Ramoth in Gilead, which is in the tribe of Gad; and Golan in Bashan, which is in the tribe of Manasseh.

New American Bible
Bezer in the wilderness, in the region of the plateau, for the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites. A. The Lord’s Covenant with Israel

New Revised Standard Version
Bezer in the wilderness on the tableland belonging to the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan belonging to the Manassites.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramath in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Mathnin, of the Manassites.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
One of them : Butsar in the wilderness, in the land of the plain of Rubil, and the other Ramath Gelad of Gad, and Gulan that is in Mathnin of Menasheh.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Bezer in the wilderness, in the table-land, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Bosor in the wilderness, in the plain country of Ruben, and Ramoth in Galaad belonging to Gad, and Gaulon in Basan belonging to Manasse.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Cities of Refuge
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: 43 Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau belonging to the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the Gadites, or Golan in Bashan belonging to the Manassites.

Cross References
Joshua 20:8
And beyond the Jordan, east of Jericho, they designated Bezer on the wilderness plateau from the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh.

Numbers 35:14
Select three cities across the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan as cities of refuge.

Joshua 21:36-37
From the tribe of Reuben they were given Bezer, Jahaz, / Kedemoth, and Mephaath—four cities, together with their pasturelands.

1 Chronicles 6:78-79
From the tribe of Reuben east of the Jordan opposite Jericho they were given Bezer in the wilderness, Jahzah, / Kedemoth, and Mephaath, together with their pasturelands.

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 35:6
Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities.

Joshua 21:13
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,

Joshua 21:27
This is what the Levite clans of the Gershonites were given: From the half-tribe of Manasseh they were given Golan in Bashan, a city of refuge for the manslayer, and Beeshterah—two cities, together with their pasturelands.

Joshua 21:32
And from the tribe of Naphtali they were given Kedesh in Galilee (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Hammoth-dor, and Kartan—three cities, together with their pasturelands.

Joshua 21:38
And from the tribe of Gad they were given Ramoth in Gilead, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Mahanaim,

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.

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.

Acts 7:53
you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”

Romans 7:7
What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”

Galatians 3:19
Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.


Treasury of Scripture

Namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.

Genesis 36:33
And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.

Joshua 20:8
And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, 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.

Joshua 21:38
And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs,

1 Kings 4:13
The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars:

1 Kings 22:3,4
And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria? …

Joshua 21:27
And unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities.

1 Chronicles 6:71
Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:

Jump to Previous
Bashan Bezer Cities Country Desert Manassahite Manassites Manas'sites Namely Names Plain Plateau Ramoth Reubenite Reubenites Tableland Table-Land Towns Waste Wilderness
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Bashan Bezer Cities Country Desert Manassahite Manassites Manas'sites Namely Names Plain Plateau Ramoth Reubenite Reubenites Tableland Table-Land Towns Waste Wilderness
Deuteronomy 4
1. An exhortation to obedience
41. Moses appoints the three cities of refuge on that side of Jordan
44. Recapitulation














Bezer
The name "Bezer" is derived from the Hebrew root "בָּצַר" (batsar), meaning "fortress" or "stronghold." This city served as a city of refuge, a place where individuals who had accidentally committed manslaughter could seek asylum. Theologically, Bezer represents God's provision of safety and protection, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture as God is often depicted as a refuge for His people (Psalm 46:1).

in the wilderness on the plateau
The geographical description highlights the isolation and elevation of Bezer, emphasizing its role as a place set apart for refuge. The wilderness often symbolizes a place of testing and reliance on God, as seen in Israel's journey through the desert. The plateau, being elevated, signifies a place of visibility and prominence, suggesting that God's provision is both accessible and exalted.

for the Reubenites
The tribe of Reuben, as the firstborn of Jacob, had a unique position among the tribes of Israel. However, due to Reuben's transgression (Genesis 35:22), his tribe settled east of the Jordan, outside the Promised Land's initial boundaries. This allocation of Bezer to the Reubenites underscores God's grace and continued provision for all His people, even those who may have faltered.

Ramoth
The name "Ramoth" comes from the Hebrew "רָמוֹת" (ramoth), meaning "heights" or "elevated places." This city, like Bezer, served as a city of refuge. The concept of elevation here can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual elevation, where one seeks higher ground in times of trouble, aligning with the biblical call to seek God's higher ways (Isaiah 55:9).

in Gilead
Gilead was a fertile region known for its balm, a healing ointment. This setting for a city of refuge is symbolic of the healing and restoration that God offers to those who seek Him. Gilead's balm is often used metaphorically in Scripture to represent spiritual healing (Jeremiah 8:22).

for the Gadites
The tribe of Gad, known for their warrior spirit (1 Chronicles 12:8), was also settled east of the Jordan. The allocation of Ramoth to the Gadites highlights the balance of justice and mercy in God's law, providing refuge and protection even for a tribe known for its strength and might.

Golan
The name "Golan" is derived from the Hebrew "גּוֹלָן" (golan), meaning "circle" or "enclosure." As a city of refuge, Golan represents the encompassing protection of God, who encircles His people with His love and mercy. This imagery is echoed in the Psalms, where God is described as a shield and fortress (Psalm 18:2).

in Bashan
Bashan was a region known for its rich pastures and strong bulls (Psalm 22:12). It symbolizes abundance and strength. The presence of a city of refuge in Bashan underscores the message that God's provision and protection are available even in places of great strength and prosperity.

for the Manassites
The tribe of Manasseh, named after Joseph's firstborn, was divided between territories on both sides of the Jordan. This allocation signifies the inclusivity of God's grace, extending refuge and protection to all His people, regardless of their geographical or tribal distinctions. It reflects the unity and diversity within the body of believers, as emphasized in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 12:12-14).

Verse 43. - Names of the cities set apart. Bezer; LXX. βοσόρ; one of the cities of the plain or table-land of the Amorites, on the east of Jordan (Deuteronomy 3:10; Joshua 20:8), afterwards a Levitical city in the tribe of Reuben (Joshua 21:36). It is probably the Bosor of I Macc. 5:36; it has not been identified with any existing locality, but the ruined heaps of Burazin to the east of Hesban, or those of Berza in the same district, may mark its site. Ramoth in Gilead; probably the same as Ramoth-mizpeh (Joshua 13:26); it lay to the northwest of Philadelphia (Rabba or Rabbath-Ammon, hod. Amman), on the Jabbok ('Onom.,' s.v." Rammoth" and "Remmoth"); a Levitical city in the tribe of Gad (Joshua 21:38), hod. Es Salt, six hours from Amman (Von Raumer, Porter). Golan in Bashan. Eusebius identifies this with Gaulon, a very large village in Batanaea, from which the surrounding region had its name, viz. Gaulonitis, hod. Jolan ('Onom.,' s.v. "Gau-lon "); it was a Levitical city in the tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 21:27; 1 Chronicles 6:71); it has not been identified.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Bezer
בֶּ֧צֶר (be·ṣer)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1221: Bezer -- 'fortress', a city in Reuben, also a descendant of Asher

in the wilderness
בַּמִּדְבָּ֛ר (bam·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

on the plateau
הַמִּישֹׁ֖ר (ham·mî·šōr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4334: A level, a plain, as a, straightness, justice

belonging to the Reubenites,
לָרֻֽאוּבֵנִ֑י‪‬ (lā·ru·’ū·ḇê·nî)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7206: Reubenites -- a Reubenite

Ramoth
רָאמֹ֤ת (rā·mōṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7216: Ramoth -- 'heights', the name of several cities in Israel

in Gilead
בַּגִּלְעָד֙ (bag·gil·‘āḏ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1568: Gilead -- a region in Palestine, also the name of several Israelites

belonging to the Gadites,
לַגָּדִ֔י (lag·gā·ḏî)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1425: Gadites -- descendants of Gad

or Golan
גּוֹלָ֥ן (gō·w·lān)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1474: Golan -- a city and a region East of the Jordan in Manasseh

in Bashan
בַּבָּשָׁ֖ן (bab·bā·šān)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1316: Bashan -- 'smooth', a region East of the Jordan

belonging to the Manassites.
לַֽמְנַשִּֽׁי׃ (lam·naš·šî)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4520: Manassites -- descendant of Mannasseh


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