Golan, Ramoth, and Bosor were east of the Jordan, and Kedesh, Shechem, and Hebron on the west.
When the Land of Promise’s borders were described in Numbers 34, they included territory to be given only to “the nine tribes and to the half-tribe. For the tribe of the children of Reuben…and the tribe of the children of Gad…have received their inheritance; and the half-tribe of Manasseh has received its inheritance” (vv 13-14) on the east side of the Jordan River. However, in Numbers 35, when cities were to be selected as Levitical cities, where the priests and Levites made their homes when not serving at the Holy Place, such cities were appointed on both sides of the river (see vv 1-5). As well, said the Lord, “among the cities which you will give to the Levites you shall appoint six cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. And to these you shall add forty-two cities. So all the cities you will give to the Levites shall be forty-eight; these you shall give with their common-land” (vv 6-7). Even though we sometimes settle for less than the Lord intended, He still acts in grace toward us. As Paul would put it, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim 2:13). In fact, the nine and a half tribes west of the Jordan had three cities of refuge, and the two and a half tribes east of the Jordan had three as well. These cities, equally distributed through the land, and set on easily-seen heights, had their gates open day and night so a person who had accidentally killed someone could seek refuge from the near kinsman who would want to avenge the victim’s death. There would then be a trial of peers in the city to determine culpability. God thinks of everything, doesn’t He! The seventh place of refuge? Ah, we “have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us…, even Jesus…” (Heb 6:18-20).