Joshua 20 (JND) - Bible Truth Library

The cities of refuge were distributed through the land at proper distances from each other, that they might be convenient to every part of the land; and it is said they were situated on eminences, that they might be easily seen at a distance; the roads leading to them being broad, even, and always kept in good repair.

Kedesh and Hebron were at the two extremities of the land, the former being in Galilee, and the latter in Judah, both in mountainous districts, and Shechem was in mount Ephraim, nearly in the centre.

Bezer was east of Jordan, in the eastern part of the plain opposite Jericho; Ramoth was about the midst of the country of the two tribes and a half, being about the middle of the mountains of Gilead; and Golan, the capital of Gaulonitis, was situated in the tribe of Manasseh, in the land of Bashan.

As this institution is considered as a type of Christ, some expositors observe a significancy in the names of these cities with application to Him as Our Refuge.

Kedesh signifies holy, and our refuge is the holy Jesus.

Shechem, a shoulder, "and the government is upon his shoulder."

Hebron, fellowship, and believers are called into the fellowship of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Bezer, a fortification, for he is a strong hold to all them that trust in him.

Ramoth, high, or exalted, for him hath God exalted with his own right hand.

Golan, joy, or exultation, for in him all the saints are justified, and shall glory.

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1 Chron. 6:76• ⁷⁶and out of the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee and its suburbs, and Hammon and its suburbs, and Kirjathaim and its suburbs. (1 Chron. 6:76)

Shechem.

Josh. 21:21• ²¹and they gave them the city of refuge for the slayer, Shechem and its suburbs in mount Ephraim; and Gezer and its suburbs, (Josh. 21:21)

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Gen. 33:18‑19• ¹⁸And Jacob came safely to the city Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan-Aram; and he encamped before the city.
¹⁹And he bought the portion of the field where he had spread his tent, of the hand of the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred kesitahs. (Gen. 33:18‑19)

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2 Chron. 10:1• ¹And Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. (2 Chron. 10:1)

Kirjath-arba.

Josh. 14:15• ¹⁵Now the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-Arba; the great man among the Anakim. And the land rested from war. (Josh. 14:15)

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mountain.

Luke 1:39• ³⁹And Mary, rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, (Luke 1:39)

J. N. Darby Translation

And they hallowed Kedesh in Galilee in the hill-country of Naphtali, and Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim, and Kirjath-Arba, that is, Hebron, in the hill-country of Judah.