Joshua 18 24

Joshua 18:24 kjv

And Chepharhaammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages:

Joshua 18:24 nkjv

Chephar Haammoni, Ophni, and Gaba: twelve cities with their villages;

Joshua 18:24 niv

Kephar Ammoni, Ophni and Geba?twelve towns and their villages.

Joshua 18:24 esv

Chephar-ammoni, Ophni, Geba ? twelve cities with their villages:

Joshua 18:24 nlt

Kephar-ammoni, Ophni, and Geba ? twelve towns with their surrounding villages.

Joshua 18 verses

Joshua 18 24 Meaning

Joshua 18:24 specifies three cities—Kephar-Ammoni, Ophni, and Gaba—as part of the twelve cities, along with their associated villages, that were allotted by lot to the tribe of Benjamin as their inheritance in the land of Canaan. This verse serves as a continuation of the detailed inventory of territorial possessions, confirming the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel regarding their allotted lands.

Joshua 18 24 Context

Joshua chapter 18 details the division of the remaining unconquered land among the seven tribes of Israel who had not yet received their inheritance: Benjamin, Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan. After the Tabernacle was set up in Shiloh (Josh 18:1), a land survey was commanded. This chapter records the specific lot that came up for the tribe of Benjamin (Josh 18:11-20), defining their boundaries and listing their cities. Verses 21-28 provide a detailed enumeration of the cities belonging to Benjamin. Verse 24 is part of the first group of cities listed (Josh 18:21-24), which explicitly totals "twelve cities with their villages," representing the northeastern sector of Benjamin's territory, between the northern border with Ephraim and the southern border with Judah. Historically, these lists provided a clear legal and administrative document for the tribes, outlining their divinely appointed claims in the promised land after the initial phase of conquest.

Joshua 18 24 Word analysis

• And Kephar-Ammoni:

  • Kephar-Ammoni: Hebrew כְּפַר הָעַמֹּנִי (Kefar Ha-Ammoni). "Kephar" (כְּפַר) means "village." "Ammoni" (הָעַמֹּנִי) refers to "the Ammonite." Therefore, "Village of the Ammonite" or "Ammonite village." This indicates that the place name preserved a memory of its former, non-Israelite inhabitants, likely driven out by the Israelites as commanded by God. It highlights God's sovereign authority over all peoples and territories.
  • Significance: Though named after Ammonites, it is now part of Israel's inheritance, emphasizing divine conquest and transformation of land.

• and Ophni:

  • Ophni: Hebrew וְעָפְנִי (ve-Ophni). The "ve-" (וְ) is a conjunctive "and." The name "Ophni" itself has no clear etymological meaning in Hebrew; it is simply a place name. It suggests the retention of older, perhaps Canaanite, toponyms within the Israelite settlement, similar to other places in the lists.
  • Significance: It marks a specific geographical location within the assigned territory, essential for defining Benjamin's portion precisely.

• and Gaba:

  • Gaba: Hebrew וָגָבַע (va-Gava`). "Gaba" means "hill" or "height." This particular Gaba is distinct from Gibeah (also "hill") mentioned elsewhere in Benjamin's territory (e.g., Judg 19-21) and other towns named "Geba." It is often identified with modern Jaba, located strategically on the northern border of Benjamin, looking into Ephraimite territory.
  • Significance: "Gaba" (or Geba) was an important frontier town, often mentioned in later historical narratives, marking the edge of Benjamin's tribal control.

• twelve cities:

  • Number Twelve: Hebrew שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה (shtem 'esre), meaning "two tens," or "twelve." The number twelve is symbolically significant throughout the Bible, representing completeness, divine order, and the totality of Israel (twelve tribes, twelve sons of Jacob, later twelve apostles). In this context, it signifies a complete and proper allocation to Benjamin, fitting into the larger divinely ordained structure of Israel.
  • Significance: Confirms the integrity and fullness of this specific portion of Benjamin's inheritance, aligning with the divinely structured division of the land among the twelve tribes.

• with their villages:

  • Villages: Hebrew וְחַצְרֵיהֶן (ve-ḥatzreyhen). "ḥatzer" (חָצֵר) refers to an unfortified settlement or enclosure associated with a main city, dependent upon it for administration, protection, and services. It implies the cultivated and inhabited rural areas surrounding the urban centers.
  • Significance: This phrase emphasizes that the inheritance extended beyond the immediate city walls, including all agricultural lands, smaller settlements, and surrounding territories crucial for the livelihood and expansion of the tribe. It indicates a practical and extensive possession, encompassing the entire dwelling and sustenance area.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Kephar-Ammoni, and Ophni, and Gaba": This group represents a specific cluster of cities within Benjamin's northern allotment. The listing of distinct city names emphasizes the precise and divinely ordained boundaries for each tribe, leaving no ambiguity in their inheritance. These names likely served as anchor points for understanding the detailed geography of the region for the original audience.
  • "twelve cities with their villages": This concluding phrase provides a quantitative summary and reinforces the comprehensive nature of the inheritance. It legally substantiates the preceding list, ensuring that not only the major centers but also their satellite communities and agricultural lands were firmly included in Benjamin's divinely appointed domain. This total provides a structured organization to the territorial lists, underscoring the completeness of the allocation.

Joshua 18 24 Bonus section

The seemingly mundane listing of city names in Joshua chapters like this served as vital legal and administrative documents for the ancient Israelites. They confirmed tribal claims, helped settle disputes over boundaries, and reminded the people of the fulfillment of God's promise. The act of listing "twelve cities" for Benjamin reinforced the tribal structure, aligning with the pattern of the twelve tribes of Israel that forms a recurring theme from Jacob's sons to the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus. While these specific cities might not individually achieve the prominence of other sites in later biblical narratives, their inclusion validates the complete and ordered nature of the land distribution as guided by God's providence, not human discretion. The detailing of these places, along with their "villages," portrays a picture of a flourishing, established inheritance where God's people were meant to thrive and expand their presence, extending beyond just the fortified city centers into the productive rural landscapes.

Joshua 18 24 Commentary

Joshua 18:24 concludes a specific segment of Benjamin's urban allocation, specifically summing up the first cluster of twelve cities from Jericho to Gaba, along with their associated agricultural and rural communities. This concise verse, seemingly a simple geographical enumeration, holds profound theological significance. It testifies to the meticulous fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants to inherit the land of Canaan. The listing of place names like "Kephar-Ammoni" (Village of the Ammonite) subtly affirms Israel's divine right to dispossess the existing inhabitants, underscoring God's sovereignty over the nations and their territories. The emphasis on "twelve cities" highlights the systematic and complete nature of God's division of the land among the tribes, signifying divine order and sufficiency. "With their villages" denotes that the inheritance was comprehensive, including the vital rural hinterlands necessary for the sustained life and growth of the Benjaminite populace. This allocation was not merely political; it was a sacred trust, marking God's provision for His people and the establishment of His kingdom on earth through precise boundaries for each family and clan.