Joshua 20:7

WEB

They set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba (the same is Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.

KJV

And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.

Commentary

And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in Mount Naphtali,.... Of which see Jos 19:37 ; the appointment of this and the two cities following was made by the children of Israel at this time: and Shechem in Mount Ephraim; called Sichem, Gen 12:6 ; and Shechem from a prince of that name that possessed it, Gen 34:2 ; it fell to the lot of the tribe of Ephraim; its name in the New Testament is Sychar, Joh 4:5 ; and it is now calle d Neapolis, or Naplouse: and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah; it stood in the hill country of Judea, Luk 1:39 ; of which see Jos 14:15 . There seems to be a difficulty here, since this city was before given to Caleb, Jos 14:13 ; and yet afterwards given to the Levites, and appointed a city of refuge. The Jews reconcile this by observing, that the city and suburbs were given to the Levites, and fixed for a city of refuge; but the villages and fields, and country around it, and belonging to it, were given to Caleb, Jos 21:12 ; and Abarbinel makes no doubt that the children of Judah gave something else to Caleb in lieu of it. As these cities of refuge were typical of Christ, as has been observed on Num 35:29 ; their names are applicable to him. "Kedesh" signifies "holy" or "holiness"; Christ is holy in both his natures, divine and human; and so abundantly qualified to be the Mediator, Saviour, and Redeemer; and is the fountain of holiness to his people, and is made sanctification to them, Psa 16:10 Co1 1:30 ; and "Shechem" signifies the "shoulder"; and not only the government of the church and people of God is on the shoulder of Christ, but all their sins have been laid upon him, and bore by him; and every particular soul in conversion, every lost sheep, is looked up by him, and taken up and brought home on his shoulder, Isa 9:6 Luk 15:4 . "Hebron" signifies "fellowship"; in the effectual calling, the saints are called into fellowship with Christ, and their fellowship is with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ; through him they have access to God, and communion with him now, and shall have uninterrupted communion with him to all eternity, Co1 1:9 Joh 17:24 .