Keraia
Deuteronomy 4

Deuteronomy 4:43

Cities of Refuge · Deuteronomy 4:41–43
Read Deuteronomy 4

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau, for the Reubenite; and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadite; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassite.
Latin
Bosor in solitudine, quæ sita est in terra campestri de tribu Ruben: et Ramoth in Galaad, quæ est in tribu Gad: et Golan in Basan, quæ est in tribu Manasse.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

Deuteronomy 4:43

  • Bezer is probably modern Umm al-‘Amad. Bezer was 1.6 kilometers (about six miles) east of Heshbon.

  • Ramoth in Gilead was 56 kilometers (35 miles) east-southeast of the Sea of Galilee.

  • The town of Golan was about 64 kilometers (40 miles) north of Ramoth in Gilead.

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

Parallels

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

People

Manasseh: Firstborn son of Joseph, blessed by Jacob Reuben: Firstborn son of Jacob and Leah

Places

Bashan: Region east of the Jordan, known for its fertility Bezer: Levitical city of refuge in Reuben Gilead: Mountainous region east of Jordan; tribal territory and personal name Golan: A city of refuge in Bashan, allotted to Manasseh Ramoth: City of refuge east of the Jordan

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Bezer (Place) Cities of Refuge Deuteronomy, Book of Gaulanitis Golan Joshua, Book of Manasseh (Person) Manassite Ramoth-Gilead

Topics

Bezer: A City of Refuge, East of the Jordan Cities of Refuge: Names of Golan: Given to the Tribe of Manasseh As a City of Refuge Homicide: Accidental Ramoth-Gilead: A City of the Territory of the Tribe of Gad, and One of the Cities of Refuge Refuge: Cities of from the Avenger of Blood