Joshua 20:7
And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath-arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּקְדִּ֜שׁוּ
And they appointed
H6942
וַיַּקְדִּ֜שׁוּ
And they appointed
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
1 of 17
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בַּגָּלִיל֙
in Galilee
H1551
בַּגָּלִיל֙
in Galilee
Strong's:
H1551
Word #:
4 of 17
galil (as a special circuit) in the north of palestine
בְּהַ֥ר
in mount
H2022
בְּהַ֥ר
in mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
5 of 17
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
נַפְתָּלִ֔י
Naphtali
H5321
נַפְתָּלִ֔י
Naphtali
Strong's:
H5321
Word #:
6 of 17
naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּהַ֥ר
in mount
H2022
בְּהַ֥ר
in mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
9 of 17
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
אֶפְרָ֑יִם
Ephraim
H669
אֶפְרָ֑יִם
Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
10 of 17
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אַרְבַּ֛ע
and Kirjatharba
H7153
אַרְבַּ֛ע
and Kirjatharba
Strong's:
H7153
Word #:
13 of 17
kirjath-arba or kirjath-ha-arba, a place in palestine
הִ֥יא
H1931
הִ֥יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
14 of 17
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Cross References
Joshua 21:11And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with the suburbs thereof round about it.1 Chronicles 6:76And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.Luke 1:39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;Joshua 21:32And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammoth-dor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.Joshua 14:15And the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.Joshua 21:13Thus they gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with her suburbs,Joshua 21:21For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,
Historical Context
These three cities had significant covenant history. Shechem witnessed covenant renewals (Joshua 24). Hebron was Abraham's home and David's first capital. Kedesh anchored northern Israel. Their selection as refuge cities honored their sacred heritage while serving practical justice.
Questions for Reflection
- How does geographic distribution of refuge cities reflect God's accessible grace to all?
- What spiritual significance do the names Kedesh (holy), Shechem (strength), and Hebron (fellowship) have?
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Analysis & Commentary
And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath-arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah—The three western cities of refuge: Kedesh (north), Shechem (central), Hebron (south). This ensures geographic accessibility—no Israelite lived far from refuge. Kedesh means 'holy,' Shechem 'shoulder/strength,' Hebron 'fellowship.'
The names prophetically point to Christ: holy (set apart for sinners), strength (able to save), fellowship (communion with God). That refuge cities covered all regions shows God's universal provision. Christ is accessible to all—'whosoever will may come' (Revelation 22:17).