Joshua 20:7

King James Version (KJV)

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.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

They appointed Kedesh in Galilee - The cities of refuge were distributed through the land at proper distances from each other that they might be convenient to every part of the land; and it is said they were situated on eminences, that they might be easily seen at a distance, the roads leading to them being broad, even, and always kept in good repair. In the concluding note on Numbers 35:33; it has been stated that these cities were a type of our blessed Lord, and that the apostle refers to them as such, Hebrews 6:17, Hebrews 6:18. Hence their names have been considered as descriptive of some character or office of Christ. I shall give each and its signification, and leave the application to others.

קדש Kedesh, from kadash, to separate or set apart, because it implies the consecration of a person or thing to the worship or service of God alone; hence to make or be holy, and hence Kedesh, holiness, the full consecration of a person to God.

שכם Shechem, from shacham, to be ready, forward, and diligent; hence Shechem, the shoulder, because of its readiness to bear burdens, prop up, sustain, etc., and from this ideal meaning it has the metaphorical one of Government.

חברון chebron ; Hebron, from חבר chabar, to associate, join, conjoin, unite as friends; and hence chebron, fellowship, friendly association, or with the diminutive nun, the little fellow-ship or association.

בצר Bezer, from batsar, to restrain, enclose, shut up, or encompass with a wall; and hence the goods or treasure thus secured, and hence a fortified place, a fortress.

ראמות Ramoth, from ראם raam, to be raised, made high or exalted, and hence Ramoth, high places, eminences.

גולן Golan, from גלה galah, to remove, transmigrate, or pass away; hence Golan, a transmigration or passage. Some derive it from גל gal, to rejoice, hence Golan, rejoicing or exultation.

A person of the spirit and turn of Origen could preach the whole Gospel from these particulars. Kedesh and Hebron were at the two extremities of the promised land; one was in Galilee, the other in the tribe of Judah, both in mountainous countries; and Shechem was in the tribe of Ephraim, nearly in the middle, between both. Bezer was on the east side of Jordan, in the plain, opposite to Jericho. Ramoth was about the midst of the country occupied by the two tribes and a half, about the middle of the mountains of Gilead. Golan was the capital of a district called Gaulonitis, in the land of Bashan, towards the southern extremity of the lot of Manasseh.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

These cities, as those also on the other side Jordan, stood so that a man might in half a day reach one of them from any part of the country. God is ever a Refuge at hand. They were all Levites' cities. It was kindness to the poor fugitive, that when he might not go up to the house of the Lord, yet he had the servants of God with him, to instruct him, and pray for him, and to help to make up the want of public ordinances. Some observe a significance in the names of these cities with application to Christ our Refuge. Kedesh signifies holy, and our Refuge is the holy Jesus. Shechem, a shoulder, and the government is upon his shoulder. Hebron, fellowship, and believers are called into the fellowship of Christ Jesus our Lord. Bezer, a fortification, for he is a strong hold to all those that trust in him. Ramoth, high or exalted, for Him hath God exalted with his own right hand. Golan, joy or exultation, for in Him all the saints are justified, and shall glory.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

7. They appointed. Literally, “they sanctified,” that is, they set these cities apart for a sacred use. They were all cities of the Levites in which these ministers of God lived, since they carried out the service of the Lord in courses. These circumstances afforded the fleer the opportunity of study, and communication with the Levites, who were trained in the things of God. Hence, the place of refuge could become at the same time a source of real blessing to the slayer as the priests and Levites taught him the way of Jehovah (see Deut. 17:8-13; 21:5; 33:9, 10).

The cities of refuge were all upon the level plain or in valleys, in well-known areas. They were at convenient distances from one another, for the benefit of all the tribes. Three were west of the Jordan and three were east, one in the north, one in the central area, and one in the south. An anxious, fleeing man, escaping for his life, must have every advantage. He must have no weary mountain to climb in the last stretch of his flight, when he perhaps would be almost exhausted. The roads leading to these centers must be good, and the cities well known. Mothers of Israel may have taught their little children the names of these six cities by heart, so that in years to come, if it became necessary for these children to flee, they would know exactly where to go.

There is a lesson in this for us. There is a place if refuge for guilty sinners today. That refuge is Jesus. The road is always open, there are signpost all along the way and access to the city is easy. “The Lord is nigh unto them who are of broken heart” (Ps. 34:18; cf. Ps. 85:9; 145:18). In this refuge we must continue to abide until the indignation is past.

Kedesh. The name comes from the Heb. qadash, “to be holy,” which in its strengthened form means “to sanctify.” From this the noun, qodesh, meaning “holiness,” is also derived. For the location of this city see on ch. 19:37.

Shechem. Heb. shekem, “the shoulder,” thence it has the metaphorical meaning of “government.” “The government shall be upon his shoulder [shekem]” (Isa. 9:6). Schechem was in the tribe of Ephraim between the two mounts Ebal and Gerizim. Its site is now known as Tell BalÃƒÂ¢Ã¡Â¹Âah, 30.5 mi. (48.8 km.) north by east of Jerusalem.

Hebron. This name comes from the verb chabar, meaning “to join,” “to associate,” “to unite.” Hence chebron, meaning “fellowship,” “alliance.” For the location see on ch. 14:15.

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Cross References

appointed

Shechem

Kirjath-arba