Bible Strands
Joshua 20:7
So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joshua and the Israelite leaders designate three western cities as sanctuaries for manslayers, executing the command issued in the preceding verses. This administrative act occurs during the initial tribal settlement of the land, running parallel to the simultaneous designation of three eastern cities.
The words — The verb וַ/יַּקְדִּ֜שׁוּ (va/i.yak.Di.shu) literally renders "and they set apart," denoting an official reservation for a specific legal function. The name קֶ֤דֶשׁ (Ke.desh) identifies the first designated site, located within the hill country of Naphtali.
The thread — The eastern counterpart to this western allocation appears in Joshua 20:8, which lists Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan. Kiriath-arba (Hebron) reappears in Joshua 21:11 as part of the Judahite tribal allotment, while Kedesh in Galilee is later recorded in the priestly and Levitical distribution lists of Joshua 21:32 and 1 Chronicles 6:76.
Why it lands — The text establishes a fixed, geographically bounded legal procedure where flight alone does not grant safety, only entry into the designated city limits. It requires the reader to recognize that divine provision for accidental violence operates through concrete boundaries, established authority, and strict temporal limits tied to civic leadership.
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
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Joshua 21:11 They gave them Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), with its surrounding pasturelands, in the hill country of Judah. (Arba was the father of Anak.)
- Joshua 21:32 And from the tribe of Naphtali they were given Kedesh in Galilee (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Hammoth-dor, and Kartan—three cities, together with their pasturelands.
- 1 Chronicles 6:76 And from the tribe of Naphtali they were given Kedesh in Galilee, Hammon, and Kiriathaim, together with their pasturelands.
- Luke 1:39 In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
- Joshua 14:15 (Hebron used to be called Kiriath-arba, after Arba, the greatest man among the Anakim.) Then the land had rest from war.
- Joshua 21:13 So to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave these cities, together with their pasturelands: Hebron, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Libnah,
- Joshua 21:21 they were given Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Gezer,
- Genesis 33:18 After Jacob had come from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan, and he camped just outside the city.
- 2 Chronicles 10:1 Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king.