Deuteronomy 4:41-43

APPENDIX: APPOINTMENT OF EASTERN CITIES OF REFUGE (Deuteronomy 4:41-43)

41 Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising; 42 that the manslayer might flee thither, that slayeth his neighbor unawares, and hated him not in time past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live: 43 namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 4:41-43

93.

Read Numbers 35:9-15 and Deuteronomy 19:1-13 and Joshua 20:1-6 to help in understanding these verses.

94.

In what sense are these verses an appendix?

95.

State briefly the reason for the cities of refuge.

96.

Do we have a city of refuge for protection against spiritual death?

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 4:41-43

41 Then Moses set apart three cities [of refuge] beyond the Jordan to the east,
42 That the manslayer might flee there, who slay his neighbor unintentionally, and had not previously been at enmity with him, that fleeing to one of the cities he might save his life:
43 Bezer in the wilderness on the tableland for the Reubenites, and Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.

COMMENT 4:41-43

We have called this section an appendix because of its obvious parenthetical nature. Moses gives instruction concerning all six of the cities of refuge in Chapter 19, and from what is said there it appears that that passage comes before this one chronologically. The phrase Then Moses set apart. etc. would then simply be understood to mean at the time Israel was still on the plains of Moab and before their leader's death, the east side refuge-cities were set aside.

As the above verses stand, however, it certainly appears that the phrase Then Moses set apart. etc. is where it is for an obvious reasonto specify that at this time (between the first and second discourses) these cities were set apart by Moses.

Many suppose that not only these verses, but Deuteronomy 4:44-49 are the work of a later editor. Clarke states: I SUPPOSE the last nine verses of this chapter to have been added by either Joshua or Ezra. (See the special studies at the conclusion of this volume on the subject of editing.) There is nothing to necessitate, however, the assumption that some other than Moses wrote these lines. The fact that he speaks of himself does not pose as a barrier, for he does this throughout the book (Deuteronomy 4:44, Deuteronomy 5:1, Deuteronomy 27:1; Deuteronomy 27:11, etc.) unless, of course, we consider all such statements editorial additions.

The reason for the appointment of these cities is given in Deuteronomy 19:1-13 and Numbers 35:9-15. There were three on each side of the Jordan. They were not designed for the permanent exile of murderer, but as a refuge till he could stand before the congregation for judgment. After the death of the high priest, the man who stayed another unwittingly could return to his own city (Exodus 21:13, Joshua 20:1-6).

The west-side cities are named in Joshua 20:7: Kedesh in Galilee of Naphtail, Shechem in Ephraim, and Kiriath-Arba (Hebron) in Judah.