Joshua 18:27
Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah,
Rekem
The name "Rekem" is significant in the context of the tribal allotments in the Book of Joshua. In Hebrew, Rekem (רֶקֶם) can mean "variegation" or "embroidered." This city was part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. The mention of Rekem highlights the detailed and specific nature of the land distribution among the tribes of Israel, emphasizing God's promise to Abraham regarding the land. Historically, the precise location of Rekem is not definitively known today, but its inclusion in the list underscores the importance of each city and region in the fulfillment of God's covenant.

Irpeel
"Irpeel" is another city within the territory of Benjamin. The name Irpeel (אִרְפְּעֵל) is somewhat obscure, with potential meanings related to "God heals" or "God's deliverance." This reflects a common theme in the Bible where place names often carry theological significance, pointing to God's character and actions. The inclusion of Irpeel in the list of cities serves as a reminder of God's ongoing relationship with His people, providing healing and deliverance as they settle into the Promised Land.

Taralah
The city of "Taralah" is mentioned as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Benjamin. The name Taralah (תַּרְאֲלָה) is not widely understood, but it may be related to a root meaning "to be refreshed" or "to be strong." This could symbolize the strength and refreshment that the Israelites would find in their new homeland, a land flowing with milk and honey. The mention of Taralah, like the other cities, underscores the meticulous care with which God apportioned the land, ensuring that each tribe received its inheritance according to His divine plan.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Rekem
A town allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. Its exact location is not definitively known today, but it was part of the inheritance given to the Benjamites as they settled in the Promised Land.

2. Irpeel
Another town within the territory of Benjamin. Like Rekem, its precise location is uncertain, but it was significant enough to be mentioned in the division of the land.

3. Taralah
A town listed among the cities of Benjamin. The mention of these towns highlights the detailed nature of the land allotment process.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in Fulfillment of Promises
The detailed allotment of land to the tribes of Israel, including Benjamin, demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land.

The Importance of Inheritance
The specific mention of towns like Rekem, Irpeel, and Taralah underscores the importance of inheritance and the tangible blessings God provides to His people.

The Role of Community in God's Plan
The division of land among the tribes emphasizes the communal aspect of God's plan for His people, where each tribe and family has a place and role.

Challenges in Possessing God's Promises
The historical context of the Benjamites' struggle to fully possess their land serves as a reminder of the challenges believers may face in fully realizing God's promises in their lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the detailed allotment of land to the tribe of Benjamin teach us about God's attention to detail and care for His people?

2. How can the concept of inheritance in Joshua 18:27 be related to the spiritual inheritance promised to believers in the New Testament?

3. In what ways does the struggle of the Benjamites to possess their land reflect the challenges we face in our spiritual journey?

4. How can understanding the communal aspect of the land allotment in Joshua help us appreciate the role of community in our faith today?

5. What steps can we take to ensure we are fully possessing the promises God has given us, both individually and as a community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joshua 18:11-28
This passage provides the broader context of the land allotment to the tribe of Benjamin, detailing the boundaries and cities included in their inheritance.

Genesis 49:27
This verse contains Jacob's blessing over Benjamin, which can be seen as prophetic of the tribe's future, including their territorial inheritance.

Judges 1:21
This verse discusses the Benjamites' struggle to fully possess their inheritance, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the tribe.
Joshua's RemonstranceR. P. Buddicom, M. A.Joshua 18:1-28
Religion in the New LandW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 18:1-28
Slack to PossessW. Seaton.Joshua 18:1-28
People
Addar, Ben, Benjamin, Bohan, Ephron, Gad, Gibeon, Hoglah, Israelites, Joseph, Joshua, Levites, Manasseh, Ophrah, Rekem, Reuben
Places
Adummim, Arabah, Ataroth-addar, Avvim, Beeroth, Beth-arabah, Beth-aven, Bethel, Beth-hoglah, Beth-horon, Emek-keziz, En-rogel, En-shemesh, Ephron, Geba, Geliloth, Gibeah, Gibeon, Haeleph, Irpeel, Jebus, Jericho, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kiriath-baal, Kiriath-jearim, Luz, Mizpeh, Mozah, Nephtoah, Ophni, Ophrah, Parah, Ramah, Rekem, Salt Sea, Shiloh, Taralah, Valley of Hinnom, Valley of Rephaim, Zela, Zemaraim
Topics
Irpeel, Jirpeel, Rekem, Taralah, Tar'alah, Tharalah
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 18:11-28

     5235   boundary

Library
The Northern Coast of Judea. Beth-Horon.
This coast is marked out Joshua 18:12; where, at verse 14, are very many versions to be corrected, which render the sea; such are, the Syriac, the Seventy, the Vulgar, the Italian, ours, &c.: whence ariseth a sense of insuperable difficulty to a chorographical eye: when it should, indeed, be rendered of the west, as the Chaldee, Arabic, R. Solomon, &c. rightly do. We read of a double Beth-horon in the Old Testament, but one only under the second Temple... At that place that great Canaanitish army
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land,
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Retiring Before the Sanhedrin's Decree.
(Jerusalem and Ephraim in Judæa.) ^D John XI. 47-54. ^d 47 The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council [called a meeting of the Sanhedrin], and said, What do we? [Thus they reproach one another for having done nothing in a present and urgent crisis. As two of their number (Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathæa) were afterwards in communications with Christians, it was easy for the disciples to find out what occurred on this notable occasion.] for this man doeth many signs.
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Bethlehem Children.
(Bethlehem and Road Thence to Egypt, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 13-18. ^a 13 Now when they were departed [The text favors the idea that the arrival and departure of the magi and the departure of Joseph for Egypt, all occurred in one night. If so, the people of Bethlehem knew nothing of these matters], behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise [this command calls for immediate departure] and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt [This land was ever the
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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