Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, EltekehEltekeh is a town mentioned in the allotment of land to the tribe of Dan. The name "Eltekeh" is derived from the Hebrew root "אלתקה" (Elteqeh), which may mean "God is my fear" or "God is my protection." This reflects the deep-seated belief in the divine protection and reverence for God that characterized the Israelites. Historically, Eltekeh is identified with a site near the Philistine plain, indicating the strategic importance of this location. The mention of Eltekeh in the context of Dan's inheritance underscores the tribe's role in the ongoing struggle to establish a foothold in the Promised Land, amidst the challenges posed by neighboring peoples. Gibbethon
Gibbethon is another town allocated to the tribe of Dan. The name "Gibbethon" comes from the Hebrew "גבתון" (Gibbethon), which can mean "mound" or "height." This suggests a location of elevation, possibly a fortified city or a place of military significance. In the broader biblical narrative, Gibbethon later becomes a site of conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines, as recorded in the books of Kings. This highlights the ongoing tension and warfare that the Israelites faced as they sought to claim and secure their God-given inheritance. The inclusion of Gibbethon in the list of Danite cities serves as a reminder of the persistent challenges and the need for faith and reliance on God in the face of adversity. Baalath
Baalath is the third town mentioned in this verse, and its name is derived from the Hebrew "בעלת" (Baalath), meaning "mistress" or "lady." The root "בעל" (Baal) is often associated with the Canaanite deity Baal, indicating that this town may have been a center of pagan worship before its inclusion in the Israelite territory. The presence of such a name in the allotment to Dan reflects the cultural and religious challenges the Israelites encountered as they settled in Canaan. The transformation of Baalath from a place potentially linked to idolatry to a part of the Israelite inheritance symbolizes the broader theme of redemption and the call to holiness that permeates the biblical narrative. It serves as a reminder of the Israelites' mission to be a distinct people, set apart for the worship of the one true God amidst a land filled with competing religious influences. Persons / Places / Events 1. EltekehA town allocated to the tribe of Dan. Its name means "God is my fear" or "God is my reverence," reflecting a spiritual significance in its naming. 2. GibbethonAnother town given to the tribe of Dan. It later becomes significant in the history of Israel as a site of conflict between the northern kingdom of Israel and the Philistines. 3. BaalathA town also within the territory of Dan. The name suggests a connection to "Baal," a Canaanite deity, indicating the cultural and religious challenges faced by the Israelites in maintaining their distinct identity. Teaching Points The Importance of InheritanceThe allocation of towns to the tribe of Dan reminds us of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Just as the Israelites received their inheritance, believers today are assured of their spiritual inheritance in Christ. Cultural ChallengesThe presence of towns like Baalath, with names linked to pagan deities, underscores the challenge of maintaining faithfulness to God amidst a culture that often opposes His ways. Believers are called to be in the world but not of it. Strategic LocationsThe mention of towns like Gibbethon highlights the strategic importance of certain locations. In our spiritual lives, we must recognize and fortify areas that are vulnerable to attack. Community and WorshipEltekeh's designation as a Levitical city emphasizes the role of community and worship in sustaining faith. Regular fellowship and worship are vital for spiritual growth. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the allocation of these towns to the tribe of Dan teach us about God's promises and their fulfillment in our lives today? 2. How can we apply the lesson of maintaining faithfulness in a culture that often opposes Christian values, as seen in the historical context of Baalath? 3. In what ways can we identify and strengthen the "strategic locations" in our spiritual lives to prevent spiritual attacks, similar to the significance of Gibbethon? 4. How does the role of Eltekeh as a Levitical city inform our understanding of the importance of community and worship in our faith journey? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced cultural or spiritual challenges. How did you rely on God's promises to navigate those challenges, and what can you learn from the tribe of Dan's experience? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 21:23This verse lists Eltekeh as one of the Levitical cities, indicating its importance in the religious life of Israel. 1 Kings 15:27Gibbethon is mentioned as a site of military action, highlighting its strategic importance and the ongoing conflict with the Philistines. 1 Chronicles 8:6Baalath is mentioned in the genealogies, showing its continued relevance in the history of Israel. 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 Baalath, Ba'alath, Eltekeh, El'tekeh, El-tekeh, Gibbethon, Gib'bethonDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 19:1-47 7266 tribes of Israel Joshua 19:1-48 5235 boundary 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 19:44 NIVJoshua 19:44 NLTJoshua 19:44 ESVJoshua 19:44 NASBJoshua 19:44 KJV
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