Iron, Migdal-el, Horem, Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh. There were nineteen cities, along with their villages. IronThe name "Iron" is derived from the Hebrew root "עִירוֹן" (Irōn), which means "place of watching" or "watchtower." This suggests a strategic location, possibly elevated, where watchmen could observe the surrounding area. In a spiritual sense, it reminds believers of the importance of vigilance and being watchful in their faith journey, as Jesus instructed His disciples to "watch and pray" ( Matthew 26:41). Migdal-el
"Migdal-el" translates to "tower of God" from the Hebrew "מִגְדַּל־אֵל" (Migdal-’El). This name signifies a place of strength and divine protection. Towers in ancient times were symbols of security and refuge. Spiritually, this can be seen as a reminder of God's role as a stronghold and protector for His people, as echoed in Psalm 18:2, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer." Horem
The name "Horem" comes from the Hebrew "חֹרֶם" (Hōrem), meaning "devoted" or "consecrated." This suggests a place set apart for a special purpose. In the context of the Israelites, it reflects the call to holiness and dedication to God. Believers are reminded of their own call to be set apart for God's purposes, as stated in 1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession." Beth-anath
"Beth-anath" means "house of response" or "house of affliction" from the Hebrew "בֵּית עֲנָת" (Bēth-‘Anath). This dual meaning can reflect both a place of seeking answers or a place of trial. It serves as a reminder that in times of affliction, believers are called to seek God and find solace in His presence, as encouraged in James 1:2-4, which speaks of finding joy in trials for the development of perseverance. Beth-shemesh
The name "Beth-shemesh" translates to "house of the sun" from the Hebrew "בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ" (Bēth-Shemesh). This indicates a place associated with light and possibly sun worship in ancient times. For the Israelites, it underscores the contrast between pagan practices and the worship of the one true God, the Creator of the sun. It serves as a call to reflect God's light in the world, as Jesus declared in Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world." There were nineteen cities, along with their villages
This phrase highlights the completeness and fulfillment of God's promise to the tribe of Naphtali. The number nineteen, while not symbolically significant in itself, represents the totality of the inheritance given to them. It serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in providing for His people, fulfilling His promises, and ensuring that each tribe received their allotted portion. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's provision and faithfulness, as seen throughout Scripture. Persons / Places / Events 1. IronA city within the territory allotted to the tribe of Naphtali. Its exact location is uncertain, but it is part of the inheritance given to Naphtali. 2. Migdal-elAnother city in Naphtali's inheritance. The name means "tower of God," indicating a place of strength or refuge. 3. HoremA city whose name means "devoted" or "consecrated." It is part of the Naphtali territory. 4. Beth-anathA city named after the Canaanite goddess Anath, indicating the presence of Canaanite influence in the region. 5. Beth-shemeshMeaning "house of the sun," this city was also part of Naphtali's inheritance and is noted for its religious significance. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness in InheritanceThe listing of cities in Joshua 19:38 is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the tribes of Israel. Each tribe received its inheritance as God had promised through Moses. The Importance of ObedienceThe failure of Naphtali to fully drive out the Canaanites, as seen in Judges 1:33, serves as a warning about the consequences of partial obedience. It reminds us of the importance of complete obedience to God's commands. Cultural Influence and CompromiseThe presence of cities like Beth-anath, named after a Canaanite deity, highlights the danger of cultural compromise. Believers are called to be in the world but not of it, maintaining their distinct identity in Christ. Spiritual Significance of PlacesNames like Migdal-el ("tower of God") and Beth-shemesh ("house of the sun") remind us of the spiritual significance of places and the importance of dedicating our homes and lives to God. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the allocation of cities to the tribe of Naphtali teach us about God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises? 2. How can the failure of Naphtali to drive out the Canaanites serve as a lesson for us in our spiritual walk today? 3. In what ways might cultural influences lead to compromise in our faith, and how can we guard against this? 4. How can we apply the concept of dedicating our homes and lives to God in our daily living? 5. What other biblical examples can you find where partial obedience led to negative consequences, and how can these examples guide us in our obedience to God? Connections to Other Scriptures Judges 1:33This verse mentions that the tribe of Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath, which led to the Israelites living among the Canaanites and adopting some of their practices. 1 Chronicles 6:62This passage lists the cities given to the Levites, including some from the territory of Naphtali, showing the distribution of land among the tribes and the Levites. Psalm 78:68-69These verses highlight God's choice of the tribe of Judah and Mount Zion, contrasting with the other tribes, including Naphtali, emphasizing the centrality of worship and obedience to God. People Allon, Anath, Asher, Dagon, Dan, Danites, Eleazar, Elon, Heleb, Hepher, Hosah, Israelites, Issachar, Japhia, Jezreel, Joshua, Naphtali, Nun, Rehob, Serah, Shema, Shimron, Shual, Simeon, Simeonites, Timnah, Zebulun, ZidonPlaces Achshaph, Achzib, Adami-nekeb, Aijalon, Ain, Allammelech, Amad, Anaharath, Aphek, Ashan, Aznoth-tabor, Baalath, Baalath-beer, Balah, Beersheba, Bene-berak, Beten, Beth-anath, Beth-dagan, Beth-emek, Beth-lebaoth, Bethlehem, Beth-marcaboth, Beth-pazzez, Beth-shemesh, Bethul, Cabul, Carmel, Chesulloth, Chinnereth, Chisloth-tabor, Dabbesheth, Daberath, Dan, Ebez, Ebron, Edrei, Ekron, Elon, Eltekeh, Eltolad, En-gannim, En-haddah, Eshtaol, Ether, Ezem, Gath-hepher, Gath-rimmon, Gibbethon, Gibeah, Hali, Hammath, Hammon, Hannathon, Hapharaim, Hazar-shual, Hazar-susah, Hazor, Heleph, Helkath, Horem, Hormah, Hosah, Hukkok, Idalah, Ir-shemesh, Ithlah, Jabneel, Japhia, Jehud, Jezreel, Jokneam, Joppa, Jordan River, Kanah, Kattath, Kedesh, Kishion, Lakkum, Leshem, Mahalab, Me-jarkon, Migdal-el, Mishal, Moladah, Nahalal, Neah, Negeb, Neiel, Rabbith, Rakkath, Rakkon, Ramah, Rehob, Remeth, Rimmon, Sarid, Shaalabbin, Shahazumah, Sharuhen, Sheba, Shiloh, Shimron, Shion, Shunem, Sidon the Great, Tabor, Timnah, Timnath-serah, Tyre, Ummah, Valley of Iphtahel, Yiron, Zaanannim, Zer, Ziddim, Ziklag, ZorahTopics Anath, Beth, Bethanath, Beth-anath, Bethshemesh, Beth-shemesh, Beth-she'mesh, Cities, El, Hamlets, Horem, Iron, Jiron, Migdal, Migdalel, Migdal-el, Mig'dal-el, Nineteen, Places, Shemesh, Towns, Unwalled, Villages, YironDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 19:1-47 7266 tribes of Israel Joshua 19:1-48 5235 boundary Joshua 19:35-38 5315 fortifications Library Tiberias.
All the Jews declare, almost with one consent, that this was a fortified city from ancient times, even from the days of Joshua, and was the same with Rakkath, of which mention is made, Joshua 19:35. "Rakkath is Tiberias," say the Jerusalem Gemarists. And those of Babylon say the same, and that more largely: "It is clear to us that Rakkath is Tiberias." And when, after a few lines, this of Rabbi Jochanan was objected, "When I was a boy, I said a certain thing, concerning which I asked the elders, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and HebraicaChammath. Ammaus. The Warm Baths of Tiberias.
Chammath and Rakkath are joined together, Joshua 19:35. For they were very neighbouring cities; Rakkath is Tiberias,--and Chammath, the town Ammaus, in Josephus. Of their neighbourhood, the Jerusalem Talmudists write thus: "The men of a great city may walk" (on the sabbath) "through a whole small city" (which was within a sabbath-day's journey); "but the inhabitants of a small city walk not through a whole great city." And then follows, "Formerly the men of Tiberias walked through all Chammath; but …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Some Other Towns Near Tiberias. Beth-Meon. Caphar Chittaia. Paltathah.
Among the towns, neighbouring upon Tiberias, Tarichee is especially commemorated in Josephus, a city thirty furlongs distant from Tiberias: you will find in him the history and mention of it very frequent. In the Talmudists we meet with other names also. I. Beth-Meon. "The men of Tiberias, who went up to Beth-Meon to be hired for workmen, were hired according to the custom of Beth-Meon: the men of Beth-Meon, who went down to Tiberias to be hired, were hired according to the custom of Tiberias." This …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
(Jerusalem and Bethlehem, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 1-12. ^a 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem [It lies five miles south by west of Jerusalem, a little to the east of the road to Hebron. It occupies part of the summit and sides of a narrow limestone ridge which shoots out eastward from the central chains of the Judæan mountains, and breaks down abruptly into deep valleys on the north, south, and east. Its old name, Ephrath, meant "the fruitful." Bethlehem means "house of bread." Its modern …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Within what Tribe the Lake of Gennesaret Was.
By comparing the maps with the Talmudic writers, this question ariseth: for there is not one among them, as far as I know, which does not altogether define the sea of Gennesaret to be without the tribe of Naphthali; but the Talmudists do most plainly place it within. "The Rabbins deliver: The sea of Tiberias is in the portion of Naphtali; yea, it takes a full line for the nets on the south side of it: as it is said, 'Possess the sea and the south,' Deuteronomy 33:23." The Gloss is; "(Naphtali) had …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The First Sign --The Marriage in Cana.
"And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and Jesus also was bidden, and His disciples, to the marriage. And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine. And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it. Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews' manner of purifying, containing two …
Marcus Dods—The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St. John, Vol. I And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Emmaus. Kiriath-Jearim.
"From Beth-horon to Emmaus it was hilly."--It was sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem.--"To eight hundred only, dismissed the army, (Vespasian) gave a place, called Ammaus, for them to inhabit: it is sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem." I inquire, whether this word hath the same etymology with Emmaus near Tiberias, which, from the 'warm baths,' was called Chammath. The Jews certainly do write this otherwise... "The family (say they) of Beth-Pegarim, and Beth Zipperia was out of Emmaus."--The …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
(Sea of Galilee, Near Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IV. 18-22; ^B Mark I. 16-20; ^C Luke V. 1-11. ^a 18 And walking ^b 16 And passing along by the sea of Galilee [This lake is a pear-shaped body of water, about twelve and a half miles long and about seven miles across at its widest place. It is 682 feet below sea level; its waters are fresh, clear and abounding in fish, and it is surrounded by hills and mountains, which rise from 600 to 1,000 feet above it. Its greatest depth is about 165 feet], he [Jesus] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
Subdivision D. The Transfiguration. Concerning Elijah. (a Spur of Hermon, Near Cæsarea Philippi.) ^A Matt. XVII. 1-13; ^B Mark IX. 2-13; ^C Luke IX. 28-36. ^c 28 And it came to pass about eight days { ^a six days} ^c after these sayings [Mark agrees with Matthew in saying six days. Luke qualifies his estimate by saying "about." But if we regard him as including the day of the "sayings" and also the day of the transfiguration, and the other two as excluding these days, then the three statements …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel 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 Links Joshua 19:38 NIVJoshua 19:38 NLTJoshua 19:38 ESVJoshua 19:38 NASBJoshua 19:38 KJV
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