And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.
On the east side of the Jordan River near Jericho, they set apart three cities: Bezer in the desert plains from the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh.
This verse describes the three cities of refuge that were established on the east side of the Jordan River, where people who accidentally killed someone could find safety.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Joshua, the Israelites were settling the Promised Land after their conquest, and God had commanded through Moses that specific cities be set aside as places of refuge for anyone who accidentally killed another person. These cities ensured that the accused could find protection from avengers of blood until a proper trial was held, reflecting God's emphasis on justice and mercy in ancient Israelite society. Specifically, Joshua 20:8 describes the assignment of three such cities on the east side of the Jordan River to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.