Joshua 18 26

Joshua 18:26 kjv

And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,

Joshua 18:26 nkjv

Mizpah, Chephirah, Mozah,

Joshua 18:26 niv

Mizpah, Kephirah, Mozah,

Joshua 18:26 esv

Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,

Joshua 18:26 nlt

Mizpah, Kephirah, Mozah,

Joshua 18 verses

Joshua 18 26 Meaning

Joshua 18:26 is part of the meticulous account of the land distribution to the tribes of Israel, specifically listing cities allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. This verse enumerates six specific towns: Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah, Rekem, Irpeel, and Taralah. It signifies the precise and divinely orchestrated fulfillment of God's covenant promises, demonstrating His faithfulness in providing specific, tangible inheritances for each segment of His people within the Promised Land.

Joshua 18 26 Context

Joshua chapter 18 details the division of the remaining portion of the Promised Land among the seven tribes of Israel who had not yet received their inheritance, specifically after the tabernacle had been relocated from Gilgal to Shiloh. This relocation signaled a more settled period for the Israelites in the land. Before Benjamin's allotment, Judah and the house of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) had already received theirs. The chapter describes the meticulous process: three men from each remaining tribe were sent out to survey the land, map its boundaries, and delineate the cities into seven portions. These findings were then presented to Joshua, who cast lots for them before the Lord at Shiloh, ensuring a divine and impartial distribution. Joshua 18:21-28 specifically lists the 26 cities allotted to the tribe of Benjamin, which stretched geographically between the formidable territories of Judah in the south and Ephraim to the north, granting Benjamin a strategically vital central position. This process solidified tribal identities, provided stability, and underscored the fulfillment of God's ancient promises regarding the land.

Joshua 18 26 Word analysis

• Mizpeh (מִצְפֶּה, Mitzpeh): Derived from the root meaning "to look out," Mizpeh translates to "watchtower" or "observation point." It indicates a high or strategically important location. This particular Mizpeh, within Benjamin's territory, became a significant rallying point and administrative center in later biblical history, featured prominently in the books of Judges and Samuel as a place of tribal assembly, prayer, and selection of leadership.

• Chephirah (כְּפִירָה, Kephirah): Meaning "village" or possibly "lioness." Chephirah was one of the four Gibeonite cities (along with Gibeon, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim) that made a cunning peace treaty with Joshua. Its inclusion in Benjamin's lot highlights the absorption of existing populations into Israel's tribal structure after the conquest.

• Mozah (מוֹצָה, Motza): Means "fountain" or "going forth," likely referring to a place with a spring or outflow of water, indicating a life-sustaining resource. It is a lesser-known city, attesting to the comprehensive nature of the land survey and allocation down to smaller settlements.

• Rekem (רֶקֶם, Rekem): Possibly meaning "embroidered" or "motley." Its exact identification and significance are debated among scholars. Its presence in the list signifies the thorough enumeration of all settlements, regardless of their current prominence.

• Irpeel (יִרְפְּאֵל, Yirpel): Composed of "Ir" (city) and "peel" (related to healing), it likely means "God heals" or "God restores." The name carries a theological overtone, even in a geographical list, subtly affirming God's providential care.

• Taralah (תַּרְאֲלָה, Tar'alah): The meaning is uncertain, possibly related to "trembling" or "shaking." It is one of the more obscure names on the list, demonstrating the detailed administrative cataloging required for precise land apportionment.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah, Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah": This precise list of city names represents the concrete reality of God's covenant fulfillment. It goes beyond vague promises of land by identifying specific, physical locations that belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. The exhaustive nature of this enumeration, continued from previous verses, underscores the meticulous planning and divine authorization behind Israel's inheritance. It solidifies the identity and physical security of the Benjaminites within their designated tribal territory, laying the groundwork for their unique role and history in the developing nation of Israel. The diverse etymologies of these names, ranging from strategic locations to seemingly ordinary villages, reveal the comprehensiveness of God's provision for all aspects of tribal life.

Joshua 18 26 Bonus section

• Historical Geography: The identification of many of these cities with modern archaeological sites continues to be a subject of active research, connecting the biblical text to the tangible landscape of ancient Israel. While Mizpeh is commonly identified with Tell en-Nasbeh, the precise locations of Rekem and Taralah, for instance, remain less certain.
• Strategic Importance of Benjamin's Territory: Benjamin's allocation, described in this and surrounding verses, positioned the tribe uniquely. Its territory spanned the crucial ridge route connecting the north and south, making it highly significant for control of the land and future political and military developments within Israel. The strategic location meant Benjamin was often at the center of national events, both unifying and conflictual, as seen later in Judges and Samuel.
• Divine Guidance of the Lot: The allocation of cities "by lot" was not a random gamble. In the biblical worldview, particularly in the Pentateuch and Joshua, casting lots before the Lord was a divinely sanctioned method of determining God's will (e.g., Prov 16:33). This process removed human partiality and ensured that the division was impartial and aligned with God's sovereign design for each tribe's inheritance.

Joshua 18 26 Commentary

Joshua 18:26, though a simple list of cities, powerfully illustrates the faithfulness and meticulousness of God in delivering on His promises. Far from a generic land grant, the detailed enumeration of specific towns within Benjamin's lot emphasizes the tangible reality of the inheritance and the precision of divine provision. This divine-human cooperation in surveying, dividing by lot, and then receiving detailed portions solidified tribal identities and ensured that the chaotic wilderness wanderings were definitively over, replaced by ordered, secure, and settled life in the Promised Land. This attention to granular detail confirms that every aspect of the covenant was fulfilled, demonstrating God's sovereign hand over the lives and territories of His people, providing a blueprint for their national and spiritual identity centered on the land.