Joshua 18 21

Joshua 18:21 kjv

Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz,

Joshua 18:21 nkjv

Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, according to their families, were Jericho, Beth Hoglah, Emek Keziz,

Joshua 18:21 niv

The tribe of Benjamin, according to its clans, had the following towns: Jericho, Beth Hoglah, Emek Keziz,

Joshua 18:21 esv

Now the cities of the tribe of the people of Benjamin according to their clans were Jericho, Beth-hoglah, Emek-keziz,

Joshua 18:21 nlt

These were the towns given to the clans of the tribe of Benjamin. Jericho, Beth-hoglah, Emek-keziz,

Joshua 18 verses

Joshua 18 21 Meaning

Joshua 18:21 records the beginning of the detailed list of cities allocated to the tribe of Benjamin as their inheritance in the land of Canaan. This verse signifies the precise fulfillment of God's covenant promise to give the land to Abraham's descendants. It highlights the administrative exactness of the division, confirming Benjamin's territory "according to their families," and naming significant cities such as Jericho, Beth-hoglah, and Emek-keziz. This meticulous delineation served to establish clear boundaries and ownership among the tribes of Israel, affirming God's orderly provision and faithfulness.

Joshua 18 21 Context

Joshua chapter 18 details the division of the remaining seven tribes' inheritances, building upon the earlier allotments made to Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh. After some delay, Joshua spurred the Israelites to survey the land, describe it in seven parts, and present the survey to him. This verse falls within the precise allocation for the tribe of Benjamin, a strategically vital area located between the larger tribes of Judah and Ephraim. The specific mention of cities and "families" emphasizes the meticulous, divine and orderly process of fulfilling God's promise to Israel for each of its tribal units, ensuring everyone had an allotted place as an inheritance. Historically, the distribution after a conquest was essential for establishing a settled society and validating possession based on God's prior declaration, not merely human might.

Joshua 18 21 Word analysis

• Now the cities (הֶעָרִים - he'arim):

  • Hebrew עָרִים (arim) is the plural of עִיר (ir), meaning "city" or "town."
  • Signifies the physical settlements and population centers that comprised the tribe's inheritance. It points to tangible, divinely granted real estate, underscoring the literal fulfillment of the land promise.

• of the tribe (לְמַטֵּה - lematteh):

  • Hebrew מַטֶּה (matteh) literally means "staff" or "rod," but in this context refers to a "tribe" or "branch" of a larger family.
  • Highlights the corporate identity and division structure of Israel. Each matteh received a distinct, designated portion, emphasizing divine order and communal responsibility within the nation.

• of the children of Benjamin (בְנֵי בִנְיָמִין - bnei Binyamin):

  • בְּנֵי (bnei) means "sons of" or "descendants of," denoting the entire collective tribe or clan descended from Benjamin.
  • Identifies the specific beneficiaries of this land portion. Benjamin's territory was strategically important, bordering Jerusalem and a vital corridor for communication and travel.

• according to their families (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם - lemishpechotam):

  • Hebrew מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah) refers to a "family," "clan," or "kinship group" within a tribe.
  • Emphasizes the granular and systematic nature of the land distribution, down to the level of specific family units. This was crucial for establishing legal claims, maintaining genealogical records, and preventing disputes over inheritance, reflecting God's attention to detail and equity.

• were Jericho (יְרִיחוֹ - Yericho):

  • The city famously conquered by Israel after miraculous divine intervention (Joshua 6). Its inclusion here signifies not just a conquered city, but one that has been claimed and designated for settlement.
  • Its former destruction, followed by its re-assignment to Benjamin, speaks to God's ultimate authority over land, judgment, and subsequent provision for His people. It might imply eventual resettlement or the appropriation of its immediate fertile lands.

• and Beth-hoglah (בֵּית חָגְלָה - Beit Hoglah):

  • Means "House of Partridge" or "House of Procession."
  • A specific location that helped define Benjamin's eastern boundary, near the Jordan River and Dead Sea. It underscores the precision of the boundary lines.

• and Emek-keziz (וְעֵמֶק קְצִיץ - ve'Emek Keziz):

  • Means "Valley of Cutting" or "Valley of Division."
  • Another specific geographical marker, likely contributing to the exact mapping of Benjamin's border, reinforcing the legal and administrative detail of the land survey.

Words-group analysis:

• "Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin": This phrase sets the stage for a meticulous inventory. It transitions from the general division by lot to the specific towns. It emphasizes that the entire lineage of Benjamin is the corporate beneficiary, not just a select few, ensuring full tribal inheritance. This is part of God's order for His people, where identity and destiny are tied to one's tribal lineage.

• "according to their families": This crucial phrase points to the internal subdivision and fair allocation within Benjamin's tribe. It suggests a structured, orderly distribution that considered each family unit's rights and needs. This divine method contrasts sharply with arbitrary human land seizure, demonstrating God's justice and administrative care in providing for His people based on existing familial structures rather than purely military conquest.

• "were Jericho, and Beth-hoglah, and Emek-keziz": The listing of specific place names validates the precision of the land survey and the exact fulfillment of God's promise. The appearance of Jericho, a city of historical significance in Israel's conquest, emphasizes divine sovereignty: a city once destroyed is now foundational to an Israelite inheritance. These geographical markers made the boundaries concrete and legally binding, essential for preventing future disputes among tribes and solidifying Israel's possession.

Joshua 18 21 Bonus section

The lists of cities found in Joshua 15-19 serve not only as historical records but also as administrative documents vital for ancient Israelite society. They formed the basis for taxation, conscription, legal jurisdiction, and census-taking. This verse, with its precise naming of cities within Benjamin's lot, emphasizes the concrete and legally binding nature of the tribal inheritance. The presence of cities like Jericho, already known from earlier miraculous events, further links the land's current inhabitants to a history of divine intervention and fidelity. The act of dividing the land by lot, confirmed by these lists, ensured that the inheritance was seen as a divine gift, reducing human disputes and asserting God's sovereign allocation. The very fact that specific names are preserved, even some that may not appear prominently elsewhere in Scripture, attests to the historical verity and administrative importance placed on these divinely appointed boundaries.

Joshua 18 21 Commentary

Joshua 18:21 commences the detailed inventory of cities granted to the tribe of Benjamin, a significant phase in the divine distribution of the Promised Land. This verse is not merely a geographical list; it's a testament to God's meticulous fulfillment of His covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants. The mention of Jericho is particularly potent, symbolizing the restoration and appropriation of a territory that once defied Israel but was brought low by divine power, now re-established for Benjamin's habitation. The phrase "according to their families" highlights the internal, ordered, and equitable division within the tribe, ensuring that the inheritance extended to every household. This structured approach solidified the tribes' presence in the land, provided administrative clarity, and prevented internal strife, all rooted in God's faithfulness and precise provision. The inclusion of seemingly obscure places like Beth-hoglah and Emek-keziz underlines the thoroughness of the land survey and God's comprehensive care for His people's detailed needs. This entire process demonstrates God's sovereignty over the earth and His commitment to granting His people a secure dwelling.