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.
Original Language Analysis
אֵ֣ת׀
H853
אֵ֣ת׀
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁלֹ֣שׁ
and three
H7969
שְׁלֹ֣שׁ
and three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
2 of 15
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
עָרֵ֥י
cities
H5892
עָרֵ֥י
cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 15
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
תִּתְּנ֖וּ
Ye shall give
H5414
תִּתְּנ֖וּ
Ye shall give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
מֵעֵ֣בֶר
on this side
H5676
מֵעֵ֣בֶר
on this side
Strong's:
H5676
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁלֹ֣שׁ
and three
H7969
שְׁלֹ֣שׁ
and three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
8 of 15
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
עָרֵ֥י
cities
H5892
עָרֵ֥י
cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
9 of 15
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
תִּתְּנ֖וּ
Ye shall give
H5414
תִּתְּנ֖וּ
Ye shall give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
10 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
כְּנָ֑עַן
of Canaan
H3667
כְּנָ֑עַן
of Canaan
Strong's:
H3667
Word #:
12 of 15
kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him
עָרֵ֥י
cities
H5892
עָרֵ֥י
cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
13 of 15
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
Historical Context
The Transjordan cities (Bezer in Reuben, Ramoth in Gad, Golan in Manasseh) were designated before the conquest was complete (Deuteronomy 4:41-43), showing God's immediate concern for justice and mercy even before Israel fully possessed the land.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the equal distribution of cities on both sides of Jordan reveal about God's justice transcending geographical and tribal divisions?
- How do the well-marked roads to refuge cities illustrate the clarity and accessibility of the gospel message?
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Analysis & Commentary
Three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan—the strategic distribution ensured no Israelite was more than 30 miles from safety. This geographical equity reveals God's impartiality: the two-and-a-half tribes east of Jordan received equal provision with the nine-and-a-half tribes in Canaan proper.
Jewish tradition held that roads to these cities were clearly marked and well-maintained, with signposts reading 'Refuge! Refuge!' at every intersection. Similarly, the gospel is proclaimed widely (Mark 16:15), leaving none without access to Christ, our true miklat.