Deuteronomy 19:2

then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Moses speaks to the Israelites as they prepare to occupy the territory the LORD is giving them after the preceding nations are driven out. He issues a direct command to establish designated urban centers within that newly acquired land.

The words — The verb תַּבְדִּ֣יל (tav.Dil) means "you will set apart," paired with עָרִ֖ים ('a.Rim) for "cities" and שָׁל֥וֹשׁ (sha.Lo.osh) for "three." The text explicitly commands the creation of three separated urban centers within the allotted land.

The thread — This directive aligns with Exodus 21:13, where God appoints a place for flight, and Numbers 35:10, which instructs crossing the Jordan to organize the land. Moses previously set aside three cities across the Jordan in Deuteronomy 4:41.

Why it lands — The text requires the establishment of a concrete geographic and legal structure for refuge. It demands immediate obedience to a specific administrative order rather than abstract devotion.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

שָׁל֥וֹשׁsha.Lo.oshthree עָרִ֖ים'a.Rimcities תַּבְדִּ֣ילtav.Dilyou will set apartלָ֑ךְLa/khfor <the>/ yourselfבְּת֣וֹךְbe./Tokhin/ [the] midst of אַרְצְךָ֔'ar.tze./Khaland/ your אֲשֶׁר֙'a.Sherwhich יְהוָ֣הYah.wehYahweh אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ'e.lo.Hei./khaGod/ your נֹתֵ֥ןno.Ten[is] about to giveלְךָ֖le./Khato <the>/ youלְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃le./rish.Ta/hto/ take possession of/ it

King James Version

Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee to possess it.

Cross-references

Exodus 21:13 If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.
Numbers 35:10 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
Deuteronomy 4:41 Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east
Joshua 20:2 “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,
Hebrews 6:18 Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.