Definition: And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, [to be] a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse. It's a really interesting and somewhat surprising passage! Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes the rebuilding of a city – specifically, a city called “Bethlehem” – after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Philistines. It’s about creating a safe place for people who were harmed or displaced. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And out of the tribe of Naphtali…” This tells us the city was being built by descendants of the Naphtali tribe, which was a group of people in ancient Israel. “…Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, [to be] a city of refuge for the slayer…” This is where it gets a little more complex. “Kedesh” and “Hammothdor” are two specific towns within the Naphtali tribe. The verse says they were chosen to build this city as a place of safety – a "city of refuge." "The slayer" refers to someone who was hurt or killed during the conflict with the Philistines. It’s a symbolic reference to those who suffered. “And three cities.” This is the key part. The verse states that this city would become three distinct communities: Bethlehem, Kedesh, and Hammothdor. Putting it all together – What's the point? The message of this verse is about redemption and rebuilding after tragedy. It’s saying that even though the destruction of Jerusalem was a terrible event, God chose to create a new place of safety and community for those who were harmed. It emphasizes a sense of hope and restoration. Why is it important? This is a significant passage in the Old Testament because it describes the initial stages of rebuilding after a major disaster. It shows that God’s plan wasn't just about rebuilding Jerusalem, but also about providing a place where people could rebuild their lives and communities. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Talk about the historical context of this event? Discuss what this verse might mean in terms of God’s perspective?