Deuteronomy 4:41

Translations

Modern

Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east

Traditional

Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sunrising;

Literal

Then Moses set apart three cities on this side of the Jordan toward the rising of the sun,

Latin

Tunc separavit Moyses tres civitates trans Jordanem ad orientalem plagam,

Original

Hebrew

English

Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east

Notes

Deuteronomy 4:41–43

When Israel settled in Canaan and began living in cities, serious crimes such as homicide required legal decisions. Disputes could not be settled by private revenge. They needed judges to decide each case.

The law provided cities of refuge to protect people accused of killing someone. These cities gave safety from immediate revenge and allowed time for a fair trial. The first cities were set apart east of the Jordan River. Later, others were set apart in Canaan (see Numbers 35:9–28).

The laws about these cities appear again in Deuteronomy 19:1–13. They are mentioned here because Moses had just promised long and secure life in the land (4:40). Protecting the innocent from false accusations helped make that promise possible.

Deuteronomy 4:41–49

Moses was ready to present the covenant with full authority. He spoke as the Lord’s chosen leader and teacher.

This section connects two parts of Deuteronomy. First, Moses reviewed Israel’s past journey (1:6–4:40). Next, he began to explain the covenant itself in detail (5:1–26:19).

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes

Related verses

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.
Numbers 35:14–15
Select three cities across the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan as cities of refuge.
Joshua 20:2–9
“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,

Parallels

Numbers 35:9–34 Deuteronomy 19:1–14 Joshua 20:1–9

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Places

Jordan: A river and region, significant in Israel's history

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Deuteronomy, Book of Gaulanitis Joshua, Book of

Topics

Cities of Refuge: Names of Homicide: Accidental Refuge: Cities of from the Avenger of Blood The Sun: The Jews: Expressed the East by Rising of

Deuteronomy 4:41

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