The Adam Clarke Commentary

	Search This Resource
	Navigator
	Previous	Next
	Chapter 19	Chapter 21
Printer friendly version
	Additional Resources
	• Burton Coffman  • Gill's Exposition  • Geneva Study Bible  • David Guzik's Commentaries  • Jamieson, Fausset, Brown  • Matthew Henry Complete  • Matthew Henry Concise  • Treasury of Scripture  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Chapter 20

Joshua is commanded to appoint cities of refuge, 1,2. The purpose of their institution, 34. Three cities are appointed in the promised land, 7; and three on the east side of Jordan, 8,9.

Notes on Chapter 20

Verse 2. Cities of refuge
An institution of this kind was essentially necessary wherever the patriarchal law relative to the right of redemption and the avenging of blood was in force; we have already seen that the nearest of kin to a deceased person had not only the right of redeeming an inheritance that had been forfeited or alienated, but had also authority to slay on the spot the person who had slain his relative. Now, as a man might casually kill another against whom he had no ill-will, and with whom he had no quarrel, and might have his life taken away by him who was called the avenger of blood, though he had not forfeited his life to the law; therefore these privileged cities were appointed, where the person might have protection till the cause had been fully heard by the magistrates, who certainly had authority to deliver him up to the avenger, if they found, on examination, that he was not entitled to this protection. On this subject see the notes on Numbers 35:11to the end.

Verse 7. They appointed Kedesh in Galilee
The cities of refuge were distributed through the land at proper distances from each other that they might be convenient to every part of the land; and it is said they were situated on eminences, that they might be easily seen at a distance, the roads leading to them being broad, even, and always kept in good repair. In the concluding note on Numbers 35:33it has been stated that these cities were a type of our blessed Lord, and that the apostle refers to them as such, Hebrews 6:17,18. Hence their names have been considered as descriptive of some character or office of Christ. I shall give each and its signification, and leave the application to others.

1. KEDESH, from kadash, to separate or set apart, because it implies the consecration of a person or thing to the worship or service of God alone; hence to make or be holy, and hence Kedesh, holiness, the full consecration of a person to God.

2. SHECHEM, from shacham, to be ready, forward, and diligent; hence Shechem, the shoulder, because of its readiness to bear burdens, prop up, sustain, meaning it has the metaphorical one of GOVERNMENT.

3. chebron; HEBRON, from chabar, to associate, join, conjoin, unite as friends; and hence chebron, fellowship, friendly association, or with the diminutive nun, the little fellow-ship or association.

4. BEZER, from batsar, to restrain, enclose, shut up, or encompass with a wall; and hence the goods or treasure thus secured, and hence a fortified place, a fortress.

5. RAMOTH, from raam, to be raised, made high or exalted, and hence Ramoth, high places, eminences.

6. GOLAN, from galah, to remove, transmigrate, or pass away; hence Golan, a transmigration or passage. Some derive it from gal, to rejoice, hence GOLAN, rejoicing or exultation.

A person of the spirit and turn of Origen could preach the whole Gospel from these particulars.

Kedesh and Hebron were at the two extremities of the promised land; one was in Galilee, the other in the tribe of Judah, both in mountainous countries; and Shechem was in the tribe of Ephraim, nearly in the middle, between both.

Bezer was on the east side of Jordan, in the plain, opposite to Jericho.

Ramoth was about the midst of the country occupied by the two tribes and a half, about the middle of the mountains of Gilead.

Golan was the capital of a district called Gaulonitis, in the land of Bashan, towards the southern extremity of the lot of Manasseh.

Verse 9. For all the children of Israel, and for the stranger
As these typified the great provision which God was making for the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles, hence the stranger as well as the Israelite had the same right to the benefits of these cities of refuge. Is HE the God of the Jews only? Is HE not also the God of the Gentiles?

Until he stood before the congregation.
The judges and elders of the people, in trying civil and criminal causes, always sat; the persons who came for judgment, or who were tried, always stood; hence the expressions so frequent in Scripture, STANDING before the Lord, the judges, the elders,

IT is worthy of remark that the cities of refuge were given to the Levites; see the following chapter. The sacrificial system alone afforded refuge; and while the suspected person was excluded from his family, whose business it was to instruct the ignorant, and comfort the disconsolate. Thus he had the means constantly at hand, by a careful use of which he might grow wiser and better; secure the favour of his God, and a lot of blessedness in a better world. How wise, equal, and beneficent are all the institutions of God!