Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 20:8
And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, 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.
8. Bezer ] was the most southerly of the cities chosen on the east of the Jordan. It was in the same latitude as Jericho.
in the wilderness upon the plain ] On or near the upland “downs” of Reuben, probably not far from Heshbon. With the other two cities on the east of Jordan Bezer had been selected by Moses for this purpose at the time of the conquest of Gilead and Bashan (Deu 4:43).
Ramoth in Gilead ] is called Ramath-mizpeh in ch. Jos 13:26. This town (= the heights of Gilead) was one of the great fortresses on the east of Jordan, and commanded the region of Argob and the towns of Jair (see above, ch. Jos 13:26). It is probable also it was the spot where Jacob made his covenant with Laban (Gen 31:43-53). For subsequent notices of it see ( a) 1Ki 4:13; ( b) 1Ki 15:17-22; ( c) 2Ki 9:14.
Golan in Bashan ] was the most northerly city chosen on the east of the Jordan (Deu 4:43). Its very site is now unknown, though once a place of great power and influence, which gave its name to a province, Gaulanitis, east of Galilee, = the modern Jauln. The district was once densely populated, but is now almost completely deserted.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
They assigned, or gave, or had assigned, or
given; for they were given by Moses, Deu 4:41, &c.; or they confirmed Mosess grant, and applied them to that use to which Moses designed and separated them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward,…. 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 comments on De 4:43]. These last cities were not appointed now, they were appointed in the times of Moses, and severed by him, De 4:41; nor are they here said to be appointed, but to be assigned or “given” c; 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 d, made use of as such, until the other three were appointed.
c “dederunt”, Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. d Misn. Maccot, c. 2. sect. 4. Maimon. Hilchot Rotzeach, c. 8. sect. 2, 3.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
8. By Jericho Literally, Beyond Jordan, Jericho eastward. The sense is, the side of Jordan opposite from Jericho. These eastern cities were appointed by Moses. See at Deu 4:41-43. On Ramoth, see Jos 13:26, note. The sites of the other two cities are now unknown.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And beyond the Jordan of Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness, in the tableland 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.’
Provision for a further three cities was necessary because of the Transjordan tribes. These additional cities were also provided for in the Law (Deu 19:9) and resulted from the fact that Transjordan was additional to the land of promise. Thus the emphasis on ‘three’ is emphatic depicting essential completeness of provision. By the time of Num 35:6 the number was fixed at six because the occupation of Transjordan was then known. These latter three cities were in fact initially set apart by Moses (Deu 4:41-43). The verb ‘assigned’ = ‘given’ may signify the secondary nature of their choice as an afterthought, or may simply be an alternative to prevent repetition.
“The Jordan of Jericho eastward.” An unusual designation. It describes the land eastward of the Jordan. It indicates a time when the Jordan could be defined in relationship to Jericho which would be prominent in the minds of the earliest settlers and confirms an early date for the passage (but see 1Ch 6:78 which, however, probably had this passage in mind. Note the mention of Bezer).
Bezer was in the territory of Reuben on the tableland in the south of Transjordan. Ramoth was central and Golan to the north. Bezer (see Jos 21:38) is possibly Umm el-Amad‘ and is mentioned on the Moabite Stone. Ramoth in Gilead later features regularly in the conflicts with Syria. It is possibly Tell Ramith. Golan in Bashan (see Jos 21:27) is of uncertain location although Sahm el-Jolan, twenty seven kilometres (seventeen miles) east of the Sea of Chinnereth had been suggested. The district of Gaulanitis was named after it many centuries later.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
These three cities were before appointed, and are only here again mentioned. Deu 4:43 . The situation of those cities were not only favourable for the flight of the poor manslayer, but as they were over against Bethpeor, the idol of the Amorites, a place of refuge in such a spot, served to teach the Israelite, the distinguished privilege of God’s people over idol nations. No Bethpeor could afford an asylum, like the city of refuge. But, Reader, when you have duly contemplated the privilege of Israel over other nations, call to mind the Christian ‘ s over Israel. Jesus himself is our city of refuge, our hiding place, our sanctuary. In him, my soul, thou mayest find shelter from all the pursuits of law, the terrors of conscience, the divine justice against sin, and the avenger of blood, when thou by sin hast destroyed thyself. Hos 13:9 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jos 20:8 And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, 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.
Ver. 8. They assigned Bezer. ] That is, They confirmed and ratified them according as Moses had assigned, and set them apart for such a use.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Bezer: Jos 21:36, Deu 4:43, 1Ch 6:78
Ramoth: Jos 21:38, 1Ki 22:3, 1Ki 22:4, 1Ki 22:6, 1Ch 6:80
Golan: Jos 21:27
Reciprocal: Deu 19:9 – then shalt thou Jos 13:26 – Ramathmizpeh 1Ki 4:13 – Ramothgilead 1Ch 6:71 – Golan 1Ch 6:73 – Ramoth 2Ch 18:2 – Ramothgilead
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 20:8-9. On the other side Jordan they assigned Or had assigned, or given; for these cities were assigned by Moses before he died, Deu 4:41. They were not, however, properly speaking, invested with the privilege till now, when they were applied to the use for which Moses had designed them. The stranger Not only proselytes, but others also; because this was a matter of common right, that a distinction should be made between casual man-slayers and wilful murderers.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
20:8 And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, 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 {d} tribe of Manasseh.
(d) Out of the half tribe of Manasseh beyond the Jordan.