Deuteronomy 4 43

Deuteronomy 4:43 kjv

Namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.

Deuteronomy 4:43 nkjv

Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau for the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.

Deuteronomy 4:43 niv

The cities were these: Bezer in the wilderness plateau, for the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.

Deuteronomy 4:43 esv

Bezer in the wilderness on the tableland for the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.

Deuteronomy 4:43 nlt

These were the cities: Bezer on the wilderness plateau for the tribe of Reuben; Ramoth in Gilead for the tribe of Gad; Golan in Bashan for the tribe of Manasseh.

Deuteronomy 4 verses

Deuteronomy 4 43 Meaning

Deuteronomy 4:43 specifies the names and tribal allocations of the three cities of refuge appointed by Moses on the eastern side of the Jordan River, before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. These cities – Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan – were designated places of asylum for individuals who had accidentally killed another person, protecting them from the immediate retribution of the avenger of blood until their case could be justly heard. This establishment reflected God's commitment to both justice and mercy, providing a structured system for distinguishing between premeditated murder and unintentional manslaughter, and thereby preserving life and maintaining order within the community.

Deuteronomy 4 43 Context

Deuteronomy 4:43 falls within Moses' second discourse to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab as they stood on the brink of entering the Promised Land. The immediate context, verses 41-43, describes Moses setting apart three specific cities on the east side of the Jordan to fulfill God's earlier command regarding cities of refuge (Num 35:9-15). This act demonstrates Moses' obedience and God's faithfulness in providing a functioning legal and moral framework before the nation fully occupied the land. The broader chapter (Deut 4) emphasizes the importance of obeying God's statutes and ordinances, reminding Israel of their unique relationship with Yahweh demonstrated by His revelation at Horeb and warning them against idolatry. The establishment of these refuge cities before the full allocation of tribal lands highlights their crucial importance for justice and the sanctity of life within the Mosaic covenant, distinguishing God's just legal system from the potentially chaotic and revenge-driven customs of surrounding pagan nations.

Deuteronomy 4 43 Word analysis

• namely: (וְאֵלֶּה - ve'eileh) This conjunctive particle links the verse directly to the preceding one (Deut 4:42), providing the specific details promised concerning the designation of cities. It signifies that what follows is an enumeration or identification.
• Bezer: (בֶּצֶר - Betzer) A city located in the tableland region of the Reubenites. The name potentially means "fortress" or "gold ore," suggesting its strength or perhaps an earlier economic significance. Its designation as a city of refuge underscores God's provision of secure asylum.
• wilderness: (בַּמִּדְבָּר - bammidbar) This term for "wilderness" here likely refers to open, uncultivated, pastoral land, not necessarily a barren desert. It indicates Bezer's location within the pasturage of Reuben, east of the Dead Sea.
• tableland: (בַּמִּישֹׁר - bammishor) Refers to the flat plateau east of the Jordan, a fertile region used for pasture. Its clear, open terrain might have made it easily accessible for those fleeing.
• for the Reubenites: (לָרֻאוּבֵנִי - la'Reuveni) Designates the tribe to whom Bezer was allotted as part of their tribal territory, emphasizing a specific allocation of protective oversight. This was the first of the two and a half tribes settling east of the Jordan.
• Ramoth: (רָאמוֹת - Ramot) Meaning "heights," implying an elevated or prominent location. This city was situated in Gilead, a significant region for the Gadites. Its name aligns with its geographical character.
• in Gilead: (בַּגִּלְעָד - ba'Gil'ad) A rugged, mountainous region east of the Jordan River, famous for its balm and pastures. Gilead's strategic importance and its division between Gad and half-Manasseh made a refuge city here crucial.
• for the Gadites: (לַגָּדִי - la'Gadi) The tribe to whom Ramoth was allotted, occupying a significant portion of Gilead. Their responsibility included ensuring its proper function as a refuge.
• and Golan: (וְגוֹלָן - ve'Golan) The final city of refuge on the eastern bank. The meaning of "Golan" is debated but often linked to "circuit" or "exile." It served the northernmost of the Transjordanian tribes.
• in Bashan: (בַּבָּשָׁן - ba'Bashan) A fertile, elevated plain northeast of Gilead, known for its rich pasturage and forests of oak. Bashan was allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh, fitting Golan's location.
• for the Manassites: (לַמְּנַשֶּׁה - la'Mnashe) Specifically, this refers to the half-tribe of Manasseh who chose to settle east of the Jordan, taking possession of Bashan. This tribal allocation underscores the precise planning involved in distributing the refuge cities for maximum accessibility across the territories.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Bezer in the wilderness on the tableland for the Reubenites": This phrase precisely locates Bezer within the territory allocated to the tribe of Reuben. The descriptions "wilderness" and "tableland" highlight its specific geography, likely an open, elevated plain suitable for immediate access and escape. The tribal affiliation signifies ownership and responsibility for its function.
• "Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites": This section similarly situates Ramoth within the Gilead region, a well-known area of the Gadite inheritance. "Ramoth" (heights) might suggest its visibility and accessibility as a known landmark.
• "and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites": Completing the list, this points to Golan within the productive Bashan territory, belonging to the half-tribe of Manasseh. This triad covers the three main tribal groups east of the Jordan, ensuring widespread access to refuge.
• The entire verse listing these three cities: The explicit naming and precise geographical and tribal allocation of these cities underscore the systematic and divine provision for justice. This pre-emptive setting apart of cities, even before the full conquest of Canaan, demonstrates the critical importance of law, order, and the sanctity of life within the nascent Israelite society. It highlights a God who provides safe havens for the innocent and a framework for proper legal recourse against blood vengeance.

Deuteronomy 4 43 Bonus section

• The cities of refuge were not only geographical locations but also centers for justice and legal process. An accused manslayer fleeing to a city of refuge had to present their case to the elders at the city gate. If found innocent of murder but guilty of manslaughter, they remained within the city until the death of the reigning high priest (Num 35:25). The high priest's death symbolized a "cleansing" or atonement, allowing the manslayer to return to their family land without fear of vengeance.
• It is notable that several of the cities of refuge, including Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan, were also designated as Levitical cities (Josh 21, 1 Chr 6). This connection suggests that these cities had a population of Levites, who were custodians of the Law, capable of facilitating legal proceedings and maintaining the integrity of the system. This integration implies that these places were not merely safe havens but also hubs for religious instruction and legal discernment, aligning with God's desire for a righteous and orderly society.
• The meticulous command to set apart cities of refuge even before Israel fully entered and possessed the land underscores the proactive nature of God's covenant with His people. Justice and the sanctity of life were not afterthoughts but foundational principles to be established immediately upon settlement.

Deuteronomy 4 43 Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:43 provides the specific inventory of the three cities of refuge on the eastern side of the Jordan, designated to serve the tribes who had chosen to settle there: Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This legislative act, recorded here during Moses's final sermon, served a dual purpose deeply rooted in God's character: it upheld divine justice and extended divine mercy. In an ancient world where "blood vengeance" was a prevailing custom, leading to endless cycles of retaliatory killings, God instituted a system that meticulously distinguished between intentional murder, which warranted the death penalty, and unintentional manslaughter, which deserved protection and a fair hearing. These cities were literal places of asylum, preventing the accidental killer from being immediately slain by the "avenger of blood." The systematic distribution of these cities (three on the east and later three on the west side of the Jordan, as seen in Joshua 20) demonstrates God's foresight and care for the practical well-being and just governance of His people. The paths to these cities were to be kept clear (Deut 19:3), ensuring accessibility for those in flight, emphasizing that divine refuge was meant to be easily found. These Old Testament provisions can be seen as shadows of a greater spiritual reality, pointing to Christ Jesus as the ultimate refuge and strong tower for all who flee to Him for safety from sin, judgment, and the consequences of the fall (Heb 6:18-19; Prov 18:10).