John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward , etc.] In the country possessed by the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh: 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 ; of these places, and the signification of their names, and of the application of them to Christ, the antitype of the cities of refuge, (see Gill on “ Deuteronomy 4:43”). These last cities were not appointed now, they were appointed in the times of Moses, and severed by him, ( Deuteronomy 4:41); nor are they here said to be appointed, but to be assigned or “given” f505 ; they were now delivered up into the hands of the Levites for cities of refuge, for they were before severed for that use; they were not, according to the Jews f506 , made use of as such, until the other three were appointed.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-9 - These cities, as those also on the other side Jordan, stood so that man might in half a day reach one of them from any part of the country God is ever a Refuge at hand. They were all Levites' cities. It wa kindness to the poor fugitive, that when he might not go up to the house of the Lord, yet he had the servants of God with him, to instruc him, and pray for him, and to help to make up the want of publi ordinances. Some observe a significance in the names of these citie with application to Christ our Refuge. Kedesh signifies holy, and ou Refuge is the holy Jesus. Shechem, a shoulder, and the government is upon his shoulder. Hebron, fellowship, and believers are called int the fellowship of Christ Jesus our Lord. Bezer, a fortification, for he is a strong hold to all those that trust in him. Ramoth, high of exalted, for Him hath God exalted with his own right hand. Golan, jo or exultation, for in Him all the saints are justified, and shal glory _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ומעבר5676 לירדן3383 יריחו3405 מזרחה4217 נתנו5414 את853 בצר1221 במדבר4057 במישׁר4334 ממטה4294 ראובן7205 ואת853 ראמת7216 בגלעד1568 ממטה4294 גד1410 ואת853 גלון1474 בבשׁן1316 ממטה4294 מנשׁה׃4519
