In the biblical context, the term "cities far away" often refers to distant lands or foreign nations that are not part of the immediate geographical or cultural setting of the Israelites. These cities are frequently mentioned in the context of God's instructions, prophetic declarations, and historical narratives.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 20:10-15 · In the laws concerning warfare, God provides specific instructions to the Israelites on how to approach cities that are far away. The passage states: "When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace. If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people therein will become forced laborers to serve you. But if they refuse to make peace with you and wage war against you, lay siege to that city. When the LORD your God delivers it into your hand, you must put every male to the sword. But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder for yourselves. And you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you. This is how you are to treat all the cities that are far away from you, which are not the cities of the nations nearby."

This passage distinguishes between the treatment of cities within the Promised Land and those that are distant. The cities far away are to be offered terms of peace, and if they refuse, they are subject to conquest and plunder. This reflects the broader divine mandate for Israel to establish itself as a nation under God's covenant, while also engaging with distant peoples in a manner that acknowledges their autonomy unless they pose a direct threat.

2. Isaiah 39:3-6 · The prophet Isaiah speaks of distant lands in the context of a warning to King Hezekiah. After Hezekiah shows the treasures of his house to envoys from Babylon, Isaiah prophesies: "Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked, 'What did those men say, and where did they come from?' 'They came to me from a distant land,' Hezekiah replied, 'from Babylon.' Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, 'Hear the word of the LORD of Hosts: Behold, the days are coming when everything in your house, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.'"

Here, Babylon is described as a "distant land," emphasizing its geographical and cultural separation from Israel. The prophecy underscores the eventual rise of Babylon as a dominant power and serves as a warning against pride and reliance on foreign alliances.

3. Jeremiah 5:15 · The prophet Jeremiah also speaks of a distant nation as an instrument of God's judgment: "Behold, I am bringing a distant nation against you, O house of Israel, declares the LORD. It is an enduring nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know and whose speech you do not understand."

This reference to a "distant nation" highlights the theme of divine sovereignty over all nations, using them to fulfill His purposes. The foreignness of the language and culture serves to emphasize the severity of the impending judgment and the Israelites' estrangement from God.

Theological Implications:

The concept of "cities far away" in the Bible often serves as a metaphor for the broader world beyond Israel's immediate borders. It reflects the tension between God's chosen people and the surrounding nations, illustrating themes of judgment, mercy, and the universal scope of God's sovereignty. The instructions and prophecies concerning these distant cities underscore the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of straying from His covenant.

In the New Testament, the idea of distant lands takes on a new dimension with the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). This expands the mission of God's people from a focus on the Promised Land to a global outreach, bringing the message of salvation to all "cities far away."