---
title: "Clarke"
description: "CHAPTER XX Joshua is commanded to appoint cities of refuge, 1, 2. The purpose of their institution, 34. Three cities are appointed in the promised land, 7"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/joshua/20"
---

CHAPTER XX
*Joshua is commanded to appoint cities of refuge*, 1, 2.
*The purpose of their institution*, 34.
*Three cities are appointed in the promised land*, 7;
*and three on the east side of Jordan*, 8, 9.
NOTES ON CHAP. XX

Verse [Joshua 20:2](../../../kjv/joshua/20/2). ***Cities of refuge*** — An institution of this kind was essentially necessary wherever the patriarchal law relative to the right of redemption and the avenging of blood was in force; we have already seen that the *nearest of kin* to a deceased person had not only the right of redeeming an inheritance that had been forfeited or alienated, but had also authority to slay on the spot the person who had slain his relative. Now, as a man might *casually* kill another against whom he had no ill-will, and with whom he had no quarrel, and might have his life taken away by him who was called the *avenger of blood*, though he had not forfeited his life to the law; therefore these privileged cities were appointed, where the person might have protection till the cause had been fully heard by the magistrates, who certainly had authority to deliver him up to the avenger, if they found, on examination, that he was not entitled to this protection. On this subject see the notes on [Numbers 35:11](../../../kjv/numbers/35/11) to the end.

Verse [Joshua 20:7](../../../kjv/joshua/20/7). ***They appointed Kedesh in Galilee*** — 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. In the concluding note on [Numbers 35:33](../../../kjv/numbers/35/33) it has been stated that these cities were a type of our blessed Lord, and that the apostle refers to them as such, [Hebrews 6:17](../../../kjv/hebrews/6/17); [Hebrews 6:18](../../../kjv/hebrews/6/18). Hence their names have been considered as descriptive of some character or office of Christ. I shall give each and its signification, and leave the application to others.
1. קדש KEDESH, from *kadash*, to *separate* or *set apart*, because it implies the consecration of a person or thing to the worship or service of God alone; hence to *make* or *be holy*, and hence *Kedesh, holiness*, the *full consecration of a person to God*.
2. שכם SHECHEM, from *shacham*, to be *ready, forward*, and *diligent*; hence *Shechem*, the *shoulder*, because of its readiness to bear burdens, *prop up, sustain*, c., and from this ideal meaning it has the metaphorical one of GOVERNMENT.
3. חברון chebron HEBRON, from חבר *chabar*, to *associate,* *join, conjoin, unite as friends*; and hence *chebron, fellowship,* *friendly association*, or with the *diminutive* *nun*, the *little fellow-ship* or *association*.
4. בצר BEZER, from *batsar*, to *restrain, enclose, shut up*, or *encompass with a wall*; and hence the *goods* or *treasure* thus *secured*, and hence a *fortified* place, a *fortress*.
5. ראמות RAMOTH, from ראם *raam*, to be *raised, made high* or *exalted*, and hence *Ramoth, high places, eminences*.
6. גולן GOLAN, from גלה *galah*, to *remove, transmigrate*, or *pass away*; hence *Golan*, a *transmigration* or *passage*. Some derive it from גל *gal*, to *rejoice*, hence GOLAN, *rejoicing* or *exultation*.
A person of the spirit and turn of *Origen* could preach the whole Gospel from these particulars.
*Kedesh* and *Hebron* were at the two extremities of the promised land; one was in Galilee, the other in the tribe of Judah, both in mountainous countries; and *Shechem* was in the tribe of Ephraim, nearly in the middle, between both.
*Bezer* was on the east side of Jordan, in the plain, opposite to Jericho.
*Ramoth* was about the midst of the country occupied by the two tribes and a half, about the middle of the mountains of Gilead.
*Golan* was the capital of a district called *Gaulonitis*, in the land of Bashan, towards the southern extremity of the lot of Manasseh.

Verse [Joshua 20:9](../../../kjv/joshua/20/9). ***For all the children of Israel, and for the stranger*** — As these typified the great provision which God was making for the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles, hence the *stranger* as well as the Israelite had the same right to the benefits of these cities of refuge. Is HE the God of the *Jews* only? Is HE not also the God of the *Gentiles*?
***Until he stood before the congregation.*** — The judges and elders of the people, in trying civil and criminal causes, always *sat*; the persons who came for judgment, or who were *tried*, always *stood*; hence the expressions so frequent in Scripture, STANDING *before the Lord*, the *judges*, the *elders*, c.
IT is worthy of remark that the cities of refuge were given to the *Levites* see the following chapter. The *sacrificial* system alone afforded *refuge*; and while the suspected person was excluded from his family, c., he had the advantage of being with those whose business it was to instruct the ignorant, and comfort the disconsolate. Thus he had the means constantly at hand, by a careful use of which he might grow wiser and better secure the favour of his God, and a lot of blessedness in a better world. How wise, equal, and beneficent are all the institutions of God!

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