Joshua 19 20

Joshua 19:20 kjv

And Rabbith, and Kishion, and Abez,

Joshua 19:20 nkjv

Rabbith, Kishion, Abez,

Joshua 19:20 niv

Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez,

Joshua 19:20 esv

Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez,

Joshua 19:20 nlt

Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez,

Joshua 19 verses

Joshua 19 20 Meaning

Joshua 19:20 lists four specific towns or cities: Remeth, En-Gannim, En-Haddah, and Beth-Pazzez. These localities were part of the tribal inheritance allocated to Issachar, signifying a detailed fulfillment of God's promise to Israel regarding their land. The verse serves as a precise geographical record within the larger account of the division of Canaan.

Joshua 19 20 Context

Joshua 19:20 is situated within the lengthy passage of Joshua chapters 13-19, which details the meticulous division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel after their successful conquest under Joshua. Specifically, this verse is part of the account describing the territory allotted to the tribe of Issachar, as decided by lot at Shiloh (Josh 19:17-23). The land division followed instructions given by Moses (Num 26:52-56). The immediate verses (Josh 19:17-23) list Issachar's complete inheritance, including cities, villages, and geographical boundaries. This specific list underscores the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob centuries earlier, establishing the Israelite's claim to the land with detailed precision. It served as a vital administrative and historical record for the new nation.

Joshua 19 20 Word analysis

• And: Hebrew: wāw (וְ). This is the common Hebrew conjunctive particle, often translated as "and," linking the current phrase or name to the preceding ones, indicating continuation in the list of towns.
• Remeth: Hebrew: Remeth (רֶמֶת). Meaning "height" or "elevated place." This name suggests its geographical position. It is sometimes identified with Ramoth, a city mentioned elsewhere (1 Chr 6:73), highlighting potential interconnections between tribal lists and Levite city lists. Its identification underscores the concrete nature of the inheritance.
• En-Gannim: Hebrew: ʿEn Gannim (עֵין גַּנִּים). This is a compound name.
  • En-: Hebrew: ʿEin (עֵין). Meaning "spring" or "fountain." This prefix frequently appears in ancient place names, indicating a source of water nearby, vital for life and agriculture in the ancient Near East. Such places were often significant settlements.
  • Gannim: Hebrew: Gannim (גַּנִּים). Meaning "gardens." So, "En-Gannim" literally means "spring of gardens," suggesting a fertile and well-watered area suitable for cultivation. It is a well-known location, later appearing as a Levitical city (Josh 21:29) and identified with modern Jenin.
• En-Haddah: Hebrew: ʿEn H̱addah (עֵין חַדָּה). Another compound name with the prefix "En-" (ʿEin), meaning "spring."
  • Haddah: Hebrew: H̱addah (חַדָּה). Can mean "sharp" or "swift." Therefore, "En-Haddah" could mean "swift spring" or "sharp spring," perhaps referring to a spring with a strong current or one located in rugged terrain. This city is less definitively identified than En-Gannim, reflecting the challenging task of correlating all ancient names with modern sites.
• Beth-Pazzez: Hebrew: Bēt Pazzez (בֵּית פַּצֵּץ). This is also a compound name.
  • Beth-: Hebrew: Bet (בֵּית). Meaning "house" or "place of." This is another common prefix in biblical place names, indicating a settlement, dwelling, or sanctuary (e.g., Bethlehem, Bethel).
  • Pazzez: Hebrew: Pazzez (פַּצֵּץ). Derived from a root meaning "to break" or "to disperse." Thus, "Beth-Pazzez" could mean "house of dispersion" or "house of breaking." The precise meaning here is debated among scholars but indicates the city's character or origin in some way.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And Remeth, and En-Gannim, and En-Haddah, and Beth-Pazzez": This phrase consists of a direct list of proper nouns. The repetitive use of the conjunctive "and" (waw) emphasizes the distinctiveness of each city while showing their inclusion as part of a collective whole (Issachar's territory). The precision of these geographical markers affirms God's fidelity in covenant fulfillment, transforming the spiritual promise of land into tangible, demarcated reality. The inclusion of places named after water sources (En-) highlights the economic and survival importance of springs in ancient Israel. Such detailed lists were crucial for establishing land claims and avoiding disputes, demonstrating meticulous care in the administration of God's land gift.

Joshua 19 20 Bonus section

The cities listed in Joshua 19:20 and throughout the territorial allotments were not merely abstract names; they represented real strategic points, agricultural centers, and places of future habitation and conflict. The fact that some of these cities, like En-Gannim, reappear in later biblical accounts as Levitical cities (Josh 21:29, 1 Chr 6:73) illustrates the layered administrative and spiritual dimensions of the Israelite territory. The Levites, who had no tribal inheritance, were instead distributed throughout the other tribes in designated cities, ensuring religious instruction and judicial presence were accessible to all. This intricate network of city distribution, even for a verse just listing four names, showcases the highly organized and divinely guided establishment of the Israelite nation in the Promised Land. These details served to concretize the abstract promises into a physical reality that would shape Israel's history for centuries.

Joshua 19 20 Commentary

Joshua 19:20 is not a verse rich in theological narrative or ethical instruction. Instead, its significance lies primarily in its documentary purpose. It serves as an example of the detailed cadastral surveys and records kept by the early Israelite state. These lists testify to the accuracy and reality of the division of the land among the tribes of Israel, acting as a historical and legal proof of their territorial inheritance. Each named city, though now largely unknown to modern readers, represented a specific parcel of land given by divine lot. The careful enumeration underlines God's precise fulfillment of His ancient promises to the patriarchs, providing Israel with a land that was tangibly theirs, demarcated and recorded. It illustrates God's faithfulness in action, demonstrating His divine order in the land's distribution and providing a secure homeland for His people. This administrative detail underpins the stability and future flourishing of the Israelite nation.