Matthew Henry Commentary Joshua 20:7-9

"And they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill-country of Naphtali, and Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (the same is Hebron) in the hill-country of Judah. And beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness in the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh. These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person unwittingly might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation." — Joshua 20:7-9 (ASV)

These cities, like those also on the other side of the Jordan, stood so that a person could reach one of them in half a day from any part of the country. God is always a Refuge close at hand. They were all Levites' cities.

It was a kindness to the poor fugitive that when he could not go up to the house of the Lord, he still had the servants of God with him, to instruct him, pray for him, and help to make up for the lack 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 stronghold to all those that trust in him.

Ramoth, high or exalted, for Him has God exalted with his own right hand. Golan, joy or exultation, for in Him all the saints are justified and shall glory.