Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 35:14
Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, [which] shall be cities of refuge.
14. In Joshua 20 the cities were selected as follows: on the E . of Jordan, Bezer in the south, Ramoth in Gilead, and Golan in Bashan; on the W. of Jordan, Kiriath-arba (= Hebron) in the south of Judah, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kedesh in Naphtali. Thus the south, centre and north on both sides of the river were provided for.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
On this side Jordan; because that land was as long as Canaan, though not so broad, and besides these might be convenient for many of them that lived in Canaan.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Ye shall give three cites on this side Jordan,…. Which were Bezer in the wilderness, 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, Jos 20:8,
and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan: which were Kadesh in Galilee, in Mount Naphtali; Shechem in Mount Ephraim; and Kirjatharba, or Hebron, in the mountain of Judah, Jos 20:7
[which] shall be cities of refuge; the three on the other side Jordan, the Jews say, were separated by Moses, and the three in the land of Canaan by Joshua, but not one of them was a refuge until they were all separated m: it may seem strange that there should be as many in the two tribes and a half on the other side Jordan, as in the nine tribes and a half in the land of Canaan; let it be observed, what the Jewish writers, say n, Moses separated three cities beyond Jordan, and opposite them Joshua separated three in the land of Canaan; and they were like two rows in a vineyard, Hebron in Judea was opposite Bezer in the wilderness; Shechem in Mount Ephraim was opposite Ramoth in Gilead; Kadesh in Mount Naphtali was opposite Golan in Bashan; and the three were so disposed, that there was as much space from the south (of the land of Israel) to Hebron as from Hebron to Shechem; and as much from Hebron to Shechem as from Shechem to Kadesh; and as much from Shechem to Kadesh as from Kadesh to the north beyond Jordan; and it should be known that the land of the tribes beyond Jordan extended in length as far as the land of Canaan, and was equal to it, running along it; so that those in the land of Canaan could soon and easily get over Jordan to the cities of refuge there, if there was occasion; besides, there is a direction given, that if their coast should be enlarged, they were to add three cities more in the land of Canaan, De 19:8, hence the Jews have a notion, that in the days of the Messiah those three cities will be added o; but the Messiah is come already, and is the antitype of them all.
m Misn. Maccot, c. 2. sect. 4. Maimon. Hilchot Rotzeach, c. 8. sect. 2. 3. & in Pirke, c. 4. sect. 2. & Jarchi in loc. n T. Bab. Maccot, fol. 9. 2. o Maimon. Rotzeach, c. 8. sect. 4.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(14) Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan.The meaning of the Hebrew word which is here rendered on this side is determined by the words in the land of Canaan, which describe the position of the three cities on the west of the Jordan. Otherwise the Hebrew word is applicable equally to the cities on the east and to those on the west of the Jordan. Moses himself appointed the three cities on the east of the Jordanviz., Bezer, in the country of the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead, in the country of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, in the country of the Manassites (Deu. 4:43). The three cities on the west of the Jordan were not appointed until the land had been allotted amongst the nine tribes and a half (Jos. 20:7), when the original appointment of Moses in regard to the three cities on the east of the Jordan was confirmed (Jos. 20:8). It is supposed that the six cities were so selected that no one should be above thirty miles from the nearest city of refuge.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. Three cities on this side Jordan The cities of refuge east of the Jordan were Bezer in the south, Ramoth in Gilead, and Golan in Bashan. Jos 20:8, note.
Three cities in Canaan These were Kedesh in Galilee Shechem (Nablous) in Mount Ephraim, and Hebron in Judah. Jos 20:7, note. An inspection of the map will show how admirably these cities were distributed for the accomplishment of their purpose. These were all Levitical or priests’ cities, because the administration of justice is germane to religion, being its natural fruitage. Jehovah also had a peculiar ownership in these cities, which rendered them eminently fitting for refuge to those who were in trouble.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 35:14. Three cities on this side Jordan, and three citiesin the land of Canaan This appears not to be an equal partition, the land of Canaan being much larger than the territory beyond Jordan; for it contained about three parts in four of the tribes of Israel: but it is to be considered, that the country beyond Jordan was as long as the land of Canaan, though not so broad; besides, God commanded those in Canaan, if he enlarged their coasts to add three cities more besides these; Deu 19:8-9.
See commentary on Num 35:6
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
three cities = Bezer, Ramoth, Golan (Deu 4:41-43).
and three = Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron (Jos 20:7). These were placed in due order, east and west, in two ranks: Hebron over against Bezer. Shechem over against Ramoth. Kedesh over against Golan. If the Lord enlarged their land, they were to add three more (Deu 19:8, Deu 19:9).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
three cities: Deu 4:41-43, Deu 19:8-10, Jos 20:7-9
Reciprocal: Num 35:6 – six cities for refuge Deu 1:1 – on this Pro 28:17 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 35:14-16. On this side Jordan Because that land was as long as Canaan, though not so broad; and besides, these might be convenient for many of them that lived in Canaan. If he smite him Wittingly and wilfully, though not with premeditated malice. He shall be put to death Yea, though he had fled into the city of refuge.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
35:14 Ye shall give three cities {e} on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, [which] shall be cities of refuge.
(e) Among the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, De 4:41.