Joshua 19 36

Joshua 19:36 kjv

And Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor,

Joshua 19:36 nkjv

Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,

Joshua 19:36 niv

Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,

Joshua 19:36 esv

Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,

Joshua 19:36 nlt

Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,

Joshua 19 verses

Joshua 19 36 Meaning

Joshua 19:36 identifies three specific towns – Adamah, Ramah, and Hazor – as part of the allotted inheritance for the tribe of Naphtali within the land of Canaan. This verse is part of a longer enumeration (Joshua 19:32-39) detailing the cities and villages granted to Naphtali, emphasizing the meticulous fulfillment of God's covenant promises regarding the division of the promised land among the Israelite tribes.

Joshua 19 36 Context

Joshua chapter 19 describes the final allocations of territory to the remaining Israelite tribes, following the conquest of Canaan. This meticulously details the fulfillment of God's promise to give His people a land of their own, as well as the blessings declared by Jacob (Genesis 49) and Moses (Deuteronomy 33). Specifically, Joshua 19:32-39 outlines the boundaries and cities for the tribe of Naphtali, whose territory stretched across northern Galilee, east of Asher and west of the Upper Jordan River. This exact listing of towns like Adamah, Ramah, and Hazor served as crucial legal and administrative documentation for the tribal identity and claim to their designated land. The original audience would have understood these names as precise markers of their God-given homeland, solidifying their presence and heritage in contrast to the prior chaotic or disputed claims of the Canaanite inhabitants. The detailed survey counters any notion of an incomplete or unreliable divine promise, showcasing the exactness of Yahweh's provision.

Joshua 19 36 Word analysis

• Adamah (אָדָמָה - 'Adhamah):

  • Word Level: The Hebrew word אָדָמָה ('Adhamah) means "ground," "earth," or "soil." It is directly related to אָדָם ('adam), meaning "man" or "humanity," signifying humanity's connection and origin from the dust of the earth.
  • Significance: As a place name, "Adamah" could signify fertile or cultivated land. Its inclusion highlights the provision of sustenance and a place for agricultural life for the tribe of Naphtali. The very naming implies a land meant to be inhabited and worked.

• Ramah (רָמָה - Ramah):

  • Word Level: The Hebrew word רָמָה (Ramah) literally means "height," "high place," or "elevated place." This name often indicated a settlement built on a hill or prominent geographical feature.
  • Significance: There were several places called Ramah in ancient Israel (e.g., Ramah in Benjamin, Ramah in Gilead). Its appearance here points to a specific high point within Naphtali's territory, perhaps significant for defense or as a lookout. A high location often held strategic or cultic importance.

• Hazor (חָצוֹר - Chatsor):

  • Word Level: The Hebrew word חָצוֹר (Chatsor) means "enclosure," "fortress," or "village." It could denote a protected settlement or a large village.
  • Significance: Hazor was one of the most significant cities in ancient Canaan, consistently mentioned in ancient Near Eastern texts (like Mari and Amarna letters). It was the largest fortified city in the ancient Near East, crucial strategically. Joshua had famously conquered and burned Hazor (Jos 11:10-11) as part of the northern campaign against King Jabin, the head of the northern coalition. Its listing here implies that after its destruction by Joshua, it was re-settled or its ruins were within Naphtali's territory, possibly later becoming an administrative center under Israelite control (e.g., under Solomon, 1 Ki 9:15). The mention of Hazor, a renowned regional power, underscores the vastness and significance of the land divinely granted to even lesser tribes.

• "Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,":

  • Words-Group: This sequence of three city names exemplifies the precision and detail in God's provision for the Israelite tribes. They are part of a larger list that defined the tangible boundaries and core settlements of Naphtali's inheritance. The commas signify the continuation of this precise inventory.
  • Significance: The meticulous listing emphasizes God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants. It underscores the concept that the land was not haphazardly claimed, but divinely allotted. Each name on the list served as a legal and territorial marker, confirming Israel's rightful ownership under God's sovereign hand, challenging the claims of existing Canaanite cultures and their deities. It conveys order, precision, and the thoroughness of divine administration.

Joshua 19 36 Bonus section

The inclusion of these specific towns, along with dozens of others listed in Joshua, reinforces the historical veracity of the biblical narrative. Such precise geographical detail was crucial for an ancient land deed, and the consistency of these names with archeological discoveries continues to provide external support for the Book of Joshua. The detailed land division, down to specific towns, prevented internal strife among the tribes over territory and underlined the principle of divine sovereignty over all land. This principle meant that the land was always ultimately Yahweh's (Lev 25:23), and the Israelites were merely stewards of His grant. This verse, therefore, is not just a dry list of names, but a snapshot of God's covenant loyalty being manifested in concrete geographical and social reality.

Joshua 19 36 Commentary

Joshua 19:36, by listing "Adamah, Ramah, Hazor," serves as a concise yet powerful testimony to God's unfailing faithfulness and His meticulous organization. Following the general conquest of Canaan, the division of land was paramount for establishing Israel's identity as a settled nation. This verse highlights specific localities within Naphtali's allocation, solidifying their tangible claim to the land God promised. The inclusion of Hazor, a historically formidable city recently destroyed by Joshua, speaks to the divine reversal of power and the total subjugation of Canaanite strongholds under God's command. These specific place names reinforced for the Israelites that their inheritance was real, concrete, and directly ordained by Yahweh, not achieved through their own strength alone. It provided the tribal members with clear markers of their home, ensuring order and identity within the larger tribal structure of Israel.