SEV Biblia, Chapter 20:7
¶ Entonces seńalaron a Cedes en Galilea, en el monte de Neftalí, y a Siquem en el monte de Efraín, y a Quiriat-arba, que es Hebrón, en el monte de Judá.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Joshua 20:7
Verse 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 Num. xxxv. 33; it has been stated that these cities were a type of our blessed Lord, and that the apostle refers to them as such, Heb. vi. 17, 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. Ťdq 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. µkŤ 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. wrbj chebron; HEBRON, from rbj 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. rxb 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. twmar RAMOTH, from µar raam, to be raised, made high or exalted, and hence Ramoth, high places, eminences. 6. lwg GOLAN, from hlg galah, to remove, transmigrate, or pass away; hence Golan, a transmigration or passage. Some derive it from lg 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in Mount Naphtali , etc.] Of which (see Joshua 19:37); the appointment of this and the two cities following was made by the children of Israel at this time: and Shechem in Mount Ephraim ; called Sichem, ( Genesis 12:6); and Shechem from a prince of that name that possessed it, ( Genesis 34:2); it fell to the lot of the tribe of Ephraim; its name in the New Testament is Sychar, ( John 4:5); and it is now called Neapolis, or Naplouse: and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, in the mountain of Judah ; it stood in the hill country of Judea, ( Luke 1:39,65); of which (see Joshua 14:15) ( Joshua 15:54). There seems to be a difficulty here, since this city was before given to Caleb, ( Joshua 14:13,14); and yet afterwards given to the Levites, and appointed a city of refuge. The Jews reconcile this by observing, that the city and suburbs were given to the Levites, and fixed for a city of refuge; but the villages and fields, and country around it, and belonging to it, were given to Caleb, ( Joshua 21:12); and Abarbinel makes no doubt that the children of Judah gave something else to Caleb in lieu of it. As these cities of refuge were typical of Christ, as has been observed on ( Numbers 35:29); their names are applicable to him. “Kedesh” signifies “holy” or “holiness”; Christ is holy in both his natures, divine and human; and so abundantly qualified to be the Mediator, Saviour, and Redeemer; and is the fountain of holiness to his people, and is made sanctification to them, ( Psalm 16:10 Hebrews 7:26) ( Corinthians 1:30); and “Shechem” signifies the “shoulder”; and not only the government of the church and people of God is on the shoulder of Christ, but all their sins have been laid upon him, and bore by him; and every particular soul in conversion, every lost sheep, is looked up by him, and taken up and brought home on his shoulder, ( Isaiah 9:6 53:6) ( Luke 15:4). “Hebron” signifies “fellowship”; in the effectual calling, the saints are called into fellowship with Christ, and their fellowship is with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ; through him they have access to God, and communion with him now, and shall have uninterrupted communion with him to all eternity, ( 1 Corinthians 1:9 1 John 1:3 Ephesians 2:18) ( John 17:24).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-9 - These cities, as those also on the other side Jordan, stood so that man might in half a day reach one of them from any part of the country God is ever a Refuge at hand. They were all Levites' cities. It wa kindness to the poor fugitive, that when he might not go up to the house of the Lord, yet he had the servants of God with him, to instruc him, and pray for him, and to help to make up the want of publi ordinances. Some observe a significance in the names of these citie with application to Christ our Refuge. Kedesh signifies holy, and ou Refuge is the holy Jesus. Shechem, a shoulder, and the government is upon his shoulder. Hebron, fellowship, and believers are called int the fellowship of Christ Jesus our Lord. Bezer, a fortification, for he is a strong hold to all those that trust in him. Ramoth, high of exalted, for Him hath God exalted with his own right hand. Golan, jo or exultation, for in Him all the saints are justified, and shal glory __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
ויקדשׁו 6942 את 853 קדשׁ 6943 בגליל 1551 בהר 2022 נפתלי 5321 ואת 853 שׁכם 7927 בהר 2022 אפרים 669 ואת 853 קרית ארבע 7153 היא 1931 חברון 2275 בהר 2022 יהודה׃ 3063
