Deuteronomy 4:41

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sunrising;

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then Moshe separated three cities on the east side of the Yarden, toward the sunrise,

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east

American Standard Version:

Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then Moses^{H4872} severed^{H914} three^{H7969} cities^{H5892} on this side^{H5676} Jordan^{H3383} toward the sunrising^{{H8121}{H4217}};

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 4:41

Deuteronomy 4:41 is part of the larger narrative where Moses is instructing the Israelites on the laws and customs they are to follow as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The historical context of this verse is the period just before the Israelites cross the Jordan River into Canaan, having wandered in the wilderness for 40 years after their exodus from Egypt.

The theme of the verse pertains to the establishment of cities of refuge, a concept introduced earlier in the Pentateuch (specifically in Numbers 35 and Deuteronomy 19). These cities were designated as safe havens for individuals who had committed unintentional manslaughter. The cities provided protection from the avenger of blood—a relative of the deceased who might seek vengeance—until the accused could stand trial before the assembly.

In Deuteronomy 4:41, Moses is fulfilling the commandment of God by setting aside three cities east of the Jordan River, in the territory that would be allotted to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This act is a practical application of the law, ensuring that justice could be administered fairly and that innocent blood would be protected from rash acts of vengeance.

The broader theme here is the establishment of a just and orderly society under God's guidance, reflecting His concern for justice and mercy. It also underscores the importance of following divine commands, as Moses demonstrates obedience by designating these cities as God had instructed. This system of cities of refuge prefigures the New Testament concept of God's provision for sinners to find refuge and forgiveness in Christ, who is often described as a safe haven for those who seek Him.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4872
   There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
   Transliteration: Môsheh
   Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
   Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
   
2. Strong's Number: H914
   There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּדַל
   Transliteration: bâdal
   Pronunciation: baw-dal'
   Description: a primitive root; to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.); (make, put) difference, divide (asunder), (make) separate (self, -ation), sever (out), [idiom] utterly.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7969
   There are 381 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: shâlôwsh
   Pronunciation: shaw-loshe'
   Description: or שָׁלֹשׁ; masculine שְׁלוֹשָׁה; or שְׁלֹשָׁה; a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice; [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare שָׁלִישׁ.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5892
   There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עִיר
   Transliteration: ʻîyr
   Pronunciation: eer
   Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5676
   There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵבֶר
   Transliteration: ʻêber
   Pronunciation: ay'-ber
   Description: from עָבַר; properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the Jordan; ususally meaning the east); [idiom] against, beyond, by, [idiom] from, over, passage, quarter, (other, this) side, straight.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3383
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יַרְדֵּן
   Transliteration: Yardên
   Pronunciation: yar-dane'
   Description: from יָרַד; a descender; Jarden, the principal river of Palestine; Jordan.
   
7. Strong's Number: H8121
   There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֶׁמֶשׁ
   Transliteration: shemesh
   Pronunciation: sheh'-mesh
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement; [phrase] east side(-ward), sun (rising), [phrase] west(-ward), window. See also בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ.
   
8. Strong's Number: H4217
   There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִזְרָח
   Transliteration: mizrâch
   Pronunciation: miz-rawkh'
   Description: from זָרַח; sunrise, i.e. the east; east (side, -ward), (sun-) rising (of the sun).