Joshua 19:4 kjv
And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,
Joshua 19:4 nkjv
Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
Joshua 19:4 niv
Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
Joshua 19:4 esv
Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
Joshua 19:4 nlt
Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
Joshua 19 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 49:7 | "Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel." | Jacob's prophecy regarding Simeon's dispersion. |
| Num 26:14 | "These are the clans of the Simeonites, twenty-two thousand two hundred." | Simeon's relatively small population. |
| Josh 19:1-9 | "The second lot came out for Simeon, for the tribe of the people of Simeon, according to their clans... (full listing of cities)" | The full context of Simeon's inheritance. |
| Judg 1:3 | "And Judah said to Simeon his brother, 'Come up with me into the territory allotted to me...'" | Simeon's reliance on Judah for conquest. |
| 1 Chron 4:24-43 | "The sons of Simeon... they migrated to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley..." | Simeon's later history, migration, and seeking land. |
| Gen 12:7 | "Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land.'" | God's foundational promise of the land. |
| Gen 15:18 | "On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, 'To your offspring I give this land...'" | Confirmation of the land covenant. |
| Deut 1:8 | "See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore to your fathers..." | God commanding Israel to inherit the land. |
| Josh 1:6 | "Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law... for you shall cause this people to inherit the land..." | Joshua's commission to lead in land inheritance. |
| Josh 11:23 | "So Joshua took the whole land... and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes." | Overall fulfillment of the land promise. |
| Josh 14:2 | "Their inheritance was by lot, as the LORD had commanded through Moses for the nine and one-half tribes." | Land divided by divine lot. |
| Josh 21:43 | "Thus the LORD gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled in it." | Affirmation of God's promise fulfilled. |
| Josh 21:45 | "Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass." | God's perfect faithfulness in fulfilling promises. |
| Num 14:45 | "Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and struck them... even to Hormah." | Initial defeat of Israel near Hormah. |
| Num 21:3 | "And the LORD listened to the voice of Israel and gave over the Canaanites... So the name of the place was called Hormah." | Israel's subsequent victory and naming of Hormah ("devotion to destruction"). |
| Deut 1:44 | "And the Amorites who lived in that hill country came out against you and chased you... and crushed you in Seir as far as Hormah." | Reference to Israel's initial defeat near Hormah. |
| Prov 16:33 | "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." | Divine sovereignty over land allocation by lot. |
| Deut 32:8 | "When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind..." | God's active role in dividing the nations and their lands. |
| Acts 17:26 | "And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place." | God's sovereign control over human habitation. |
| Eze 48:24-25 | "Adjoining the territory of Judah, from the east side to the west, shall be Benjamin, one portion... Next to the territory of Benjamin, from the east side to the west, shall be Simeon, one portion." | Simeon's placement in Ezekiel's visionary temple. |
| Eph 1:11 | "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will..." | Spiritual inheritance for believers. |
| Heb 9:15 | "Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance..." | The promise of a greater, eternal inheritance through Christ. |
Joshua 19 verses
Joshua 19 4 Meaning
This verse enumerates three cities, Eltolad, Bethul, and Hormah, that were allocated as part of the inheritance for the tribe of Simeon. These towns, along with others listed in Joshua 19:2-8, constituted Simeon's territory which was granted within the larger territory of the tribe of Judah. It signifies the detailed fulfillment of God's covenant promises regarding the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham, specifying the boundaries and possessions of each tribe through divine arrangement.
Joshua 19 4 Context
Joshua chapter 19 describes the detailed allocation of land to the remaining tribes of Israel by lot, as commanded by the Lord. This particular verse falls within the section describing the territory allotted to the tribe of Simeon. The book of Joshua recounts Israel's conquest of Canaan and the fulfillment of God's ancient promises to Abraham concerning the land. Historically, Simeon received its portion within Judah's tribal territory rather than a distinct, separate block of land like other tribes. This peculiar arrangement reflects the prophetic word of Jacob concerning Simeon (Gen 49:7), where their scattering or dispersion in Israel was foretold. Judah, as the most powerful tribe, could provide a home for their smaller, weaker kin. Thus, this verse and the surrounding description of Simeon's inheritance serve not only as a geographical record but also as evidence of God's meticulous fulfillment of prophecy and His providential care for each tribe, even those with a difficult past.
Joshua 19 4 Word analysis
- And (וְ, ve): A simple conjunctive "and," connecting this list of cities to the preceding ones, indicating continuity in the description of Simeon's land inheritance.
- Eltolad (אֶלְתּוֹלַד, ʾEltôlad): A town listed as belonging to Simeon. The name itself suggests "God of generation" or "God of birth" or possibly "God has begotten." The precise significance of this name in its context here is not directly stated in the text, but it is one of the tangible places representing God's active hand in granting territory.
- Bethul (בְּתוּל, Betûl): Another city of Simeon's inheritance. The name can mean "maiden" or "virgin." This city is likely equivalent to "Bethuel" found in 1 Chronicles 4:30 as one of Simeon's towns and "Bethel" in 1 Samuel 30:27 among places David sent spoil. The specific name is common in the ancient Near East and holds no direct symbolic meaning in this immediate context beyond being a specific geographical marker of the granted land.
- Hormah (חָרְמָה, Ḥormāh): This name is highly significant. It means "destruction" or "devoted to destruction," referencing a place with a distinct history in Israelite tradition. Earlier, it was the site where the unfaithful Israelites were defeated by the Amalekites and Canaanites (Num 14:45; Deut 1:44). Later, after a successful conquest against the King of Arad, the Israelites devoted his cities to the Lord and renamed the area Hormah (Num 21:1-3). Its inclusion here signifies not just a piece of land, but a location with a profound past, a reminder of both divine judgment on disobedience and divine aid in successful destruction of enemies when dedicated to the Lord.
- Words-group analysis: "And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah": This phrase is part of a longer list (Josh 19:2-8) of towns given to Simeon. The inclusion of precise city names underscores the concrete nature of God's promise and its detailed fulfillment. It demonstrates God's commitment to giving His people specific, tangible inheritances. The specificity refutes any notion of the land inheritance being merely symbolic or loosely defined. It paints a picture of divine providence actively working through the casting of lots to apportion the land accurately and justly according to His sovereign plan. Even the repetition of "and" ("wa-" in Hebrew) emphasizes the meticulous itemization, ensuring no detail of the land distribution is overlooked.
Joshua 19 4 Bonus section
The tribal inheritance system detailed in Joshua chapter 19 serves as a theological bedrock, showcasing God as the ultimate land owner and dispenser of territory. Each portion was determined by divine lot (Prov 16:33), signifying His sovereignty over geographical boundaries for His people (Deut 32:8). For Simeon, this allotment within Judah's territory (Josh 19:9) serves as a partial fulfillment of Jacob's ancient prophetic blessing/curse (Gen 49:7), where their tribe was foretold to be "scattered" in Israel. While other tribes received contiguous territories, Simeon's situation exemplifies how divine plans work out precisely, even through what might appear as less favorable circumstances, reminding us of God's intricate orchestration of destinies. This foreshadows a deeper New Testament truth that true inheritance for believers is not solely a physical land but a spiritual dwelling and position in Christ (Eph 1:11, Heb 9:15), fulfilling a greater purpose beyond the physical boundaries.
Joshua 19 4 Commentary
Joshua 19:4, by listing these specific towns, highlights the meticulous fulfillment of God's land promises to Israel. For Simeon, this inheritance was unique; situated within Judah, it reflected Jacob's prophecy of their dispersion. The naming of Hormah, meaning "destruction," is especially poignant, marking a place of significant historical defeat and subsequent victory for Israel. It stands as a powerful reminder that the land inherited by Israel was often contested ground, marked by prior conflict and divine judgment. The exact enumeration of these cities within Simeon's boundaries underscores the divine accuracy and detailed providence behind the entire land allocation. It demonstrates that God's promises are not vague assurances but tangible realities delivered with precise geographic and historical specificity, confirming His faithfulness despite the tribes' varied histories and destinies.