then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.
Parallel translations
- WEB you shall set apart three cities for yourselves in the middle of your land, which Yahweh your God gives you to possess it.
- KJV Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
- NKJV you shall separate three cities for yourself in the midst of your land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.
- NASB you shall set aside for yourself three cities in the midst of your land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.
- NLT Then you must set apart three cities of refuge in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Israel is to set apart three cities of refuge within the land. God provides places of protection so justice is tempered with mercy.
Overview
God commands the designation of three accessible cities where someone who kills accidentally may flee for safety. This institution restrained blood vengeance and protected the innocent until a fair trial. It reflects God's concern for both justice and mercy, and pictures the refuge sinners find in Christ (Heb. 6:18).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Exod 21:13If, 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.
- Deut 4:41–43Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east
- Heb 6:18Thus 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.
- Josh 20:2–7“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,
- Num 35:10–15“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Moses promised a Prophet like himself to whom Israel must listen (18:15); Jesus is that Prophet, the one who keeps the covenant we broke and becomes the curse for us by hanging on a tree (Gal 3:13).
How Deuteronomy 19:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.