Joshua 20:8 sets three cities of refuge east of the Jordan—Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan—ensuring fair justice for accidental killings.
God declares three cities of refuge to the east of the Jordan for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in “And beyond the Jordan east of Jericho, they designated Bezer in the wilderness on the plain from the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh, for the sons of Israel” (v.8). These three cities—Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan—were set apart to protect someone who accidentally killed another person, preventing the avenger of blood from carrying out vengeance until a proper trial could be conducted. The tribal allocations for each city show how God provided a fair distribution of justice throughout Israel’s territory. The idea of designating cities of refuge came from earlier instructions (Numbers 35; Deuteronomy 19). Joshua, who lived around the late fifteenth century BC to the early fourteenth century BC, carried out Moses’ decree once the Israelites had settled in Transjordan and the land west of the Jordan.
The first city, Bezer, lay “in the wilderness on the plateau” in the domain of the Reubenites, possibly southeast of the Dead Sea. It eventually became a Levitical city (Joshua 21:36, 1 Chronicles 6:78). The second city, Ramoth, rose in the region called Gilead for the Gadites. Gilead spanned a rugged area northeast of the Dead Sea, the northern part of modern-day Jordan. Ramoth would later be a well-known site during the reign of Ahab and Jehu (1 Kings 22:3; 2 Kings 9:14). The third city, Golan, was in Bashan for the Manassites. Bashan was a region of fertility east of the Sea of Galilee, known for its cattle and fortifications. Like Bezer, Golan was listed as a Levitical city (Joshua 21:27, 1 Chronicles 6:71).
By establishing an orderly process for justice, God preserved societal harmony and underscored the gravity of life and covenant loyalty. These cities of refuge foreshadow a spiritual truth that emerges within the New Testament, where Jesus becomes the ultimate refuge and atoning sacrifice for humankind (Romans 8:1). He provides safety from the condemnation of sin, just as these cities offered protection from the avenger of blood.
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Joshua 20:8 meaning
God declares three cities of refuge to the east of the Jordan for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in “And beyond the Jordan east of Jericho, they designated Bezer in the wilderness on the plain from the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh, for the sons of Israel” (v.8). These three cities—Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan—were set apart to protect someone who accidentally killed another person, preventing the avenger of blood from carrying out vengeance until a proper trial could be conducted. The tribal allocations for each city show how God provided a fair distribution of justice throughout Israel’s territory. The idea of designating cities of refuge came from earlier instructions (Numbers 35; Deuteronomy 19). Joshua, who lived around the late fifteenth century BC to the early fourteenth century BC, carried out Moses’ decree once the Israelites had settled in Transjordan and the land west of the Jordan.
The first city, Bezer, lay “in the wilderness on the plateau” in the domain of the Reubenites, possibly southeast of the Dead Sea. It eventually became a Levitical city (Joshua 21:36, 1 Chronicles 6:78). The second city, Ramoth, rose in the region called Gilead for the Gadites. Gilead spanned a rugged area northeast of the Dead Sea, the northern part of modern-day Jordan. Ramoth would later be a well-known site during the reign of Ahab and Jehu (1 Kings 22:3; 2 Kings 9:14). The third city, Golan, was in Bashan for the Manassites. Bashan was a region of fertility east of the Sea of Galilee, known for its cattle and fortifications. Like Bezer, Golan was listed as a Levitical city (Joshua 21:27, 1 Chronicles 6:71).
By establishing an orderly process for justice, God preserved societal harmony and underscored the gravity of life and covenant loyalty. These cities of refuge foreshadow a spiritual truth that emerges within the New Testament, where Jesus becomes the ultimate refuge and atoning sacrifice for humankind (Romans 8:1). He provides safety from the condemnation of sin, just as these cities offered protection from the avenger of blood.