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Deuteronomy 4:41

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 4:41 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising;
Deuteronomy 4:41 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
38to drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as at this day.
39Know therefore this day, and lay it to thy heart, that Jehovah he is God in heaven above and upon the earth beneath; there is none else.
40And thou shalt keep his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days in the land, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, for ever.
41Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising;
42that the manslayer might flee thither, that slayeth his neighbor unawares, and hated him not in time past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:
43[namely], Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.
44And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel:
← Deuteronomy 4:40Deuteronomy 4:42 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan--(See on Jos 20:7).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“These verses are inserted between two distinct and complete discourses for the reason to which they themselves call attention (“Then Moses severed three cities,” etc.); i. e., the fact narrated took place historically after Moses spoke the one discourse and before he delivered the other. In thus severing the three cities of refuge Moses carried out a previous command of God (see the marginal references); and so followed up his exhortations to obedience by setting a punctual example of it, as far as opportunity was given him. Deuteronomy 4:43 In the plain country - literally, “in the land of the Mishor.” The word means a level tract of land; but when used (Deuteronomy 3:10; Joshua 13:9, etc.)…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:41-49 Moses was ready to set forth the covenant in all its magisterial authority. This section bridges the review of the past (1:6–4:40) and the presentation of the covenant text proper (5:1–26:19). 4:41-43 When Israel settled in Canaan and adopted an urban lifestyle, crimes such as homicide would inevitably need judicial resolution. In order to protect alleged perpetrators from premature vengeance and to guarantee them a fair trial, they needed safe haven in accessible cities of refuge. These towns were first assigned east of the Jordan and later in Canaan (see Num 35:9-28). The laws governing these matters occur again in Deut 19:1-13, but they appear here because of the just-mentioned…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Num 35:6, Num 35:14, Num 35:15; Jos 20:2-9 Deuteronomy 4:42”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Selection of Three Cities of Refuge for Unintentional Manslayers on the East of the Jordan. - The account of this appointment of the cities of refuge in the conquered land on the east of the Jordan is inserted between the first and second addresses of Moses, in all probability for no other reason than because Moses set apart the cities at that time according to the command of God in Num 35:6, Num 35:14, not only to give the land on that side its full consecration, and thoroughly confirm the possession of the two Amoritish kingdoms on the other side of the Jordan, but also to give the people in this punctual observance of the duty devolving upon it an example for their imitation in the…”
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Related study paths

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