Joshua 18:26
Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,
Mizpeh
Mizpeh, meaning "watchtower" or "lookout," is a name given to several locations in the Bible. This particular Mizpeh is likely in the territory of Benjamin, as listed in Joshua 18. It served as a significant gathering place for Israel, notably in Judges 20:1, where the tribes assembled to address the sin of Gibeah. Mizpeh's role as a lookout point suggests its strategic importance in military and communication contexts. It is also associated with Samuel, who judged Israel there and called the people to repentance (1 Samuel 7:5-6). The name reflects the spiritual vigilance required of God's people, symbolizing a place of prayer and seeking divine guidance.

Chephirah
Chephirah is one of the four Hivite cities that made a treaty with Joshua and the Israelites, as recorded in Joshua 9. The Gibeonites, including the inhabitants of Chephirah, deceived Israel into making a peace treaty by pretending to be from a distant land. This incident highlights the importance of seeking God's counsel in decision-making. Chephirah's inclusion in the territory of Benjamin underscores the integration of these cities into Israel's tribal system, despite their initial deception. The story of the Gibeonites serves as a reminder of God's mercy and the inclusion of Gentiles into His covenant community.

Mozah
Mozah is mentioned only in this list of Benjamin's cities, and little is known about it archaeologically or historically. Its inclusion in the tribal allotment signifies the detailed nature of the land distribution among the tribes of Israel. Each city and region, though sometimes obscure, played a role in the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land. The precise recording of such locations underscores the faithfulness of God in providing for His people and the importance of each part of the inheritance, no matter how seemingly insignificant. Mozah's mention serves as a testament to the comprehensive nature of God's provision and the meticulous care in the division of the Promised Land.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Mizpeh
A location often associated with watchtowers or places of gathering. In the context of Joshua, it is one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. Mizpeh is significant in various biblical accounts as a place of assembly and covenant-making.

2. Chephirah
Another city within the territory of Benjamin. It was one of the cities that made a treaty with Israel through deception, as recorded earlier in Joshua 9.

3. Mozah
A lesser-known city in the territory of Benjamin. Its mention here is primarily for the purpose of delineating the boundaries and cities within the tribal allotment.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Community and Assembly
Mizpeh's role as a gathering place reminds us of the importance of coming together as a community of believers for worship, decision-making, and covenant renewal.

Seeking God's Guidance
The account of Chephirah and the Gibeonites underscores the necessity of seeking God's wisdom and discernment in our interactions and decisions.

Understanding Our Inheritance
Just as the cities were allotted to the tribe of Benjamin, believers today have a spiritual inheritance in Christ. Understanding and embracing this inheritance is crucial for living out our faith.

The Role of Lesser-Known Places
Mozah, though not prominent, is part of God's plan. This teaches us that every part of the body of Christ, no matter how seemingly insignificant, has a role and purpose.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of Mizpeh as a gathering place for Israel inform our understanding of the importance of church gatherings today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are seeking God's guidance in our decisions, as highlighted by the account of Chephirah and the Gibeonites?

3. How can we better understand and embrace our spiritual inheritance in Christ, similar to the tribal allotments in Joshua?

4. What lessons can we learn from the inclusion of lesser-known places like Mozah in God's plan, and how can this encourage us in our own roles within the church?

5. How do the events and places mentioned in Joshua 18:26 connect with the broader account of God's faithfulness to His promises throughout Scripture?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joshua 9
The Gibeonite deception, which includes the city of Chephirah, highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance in decision-making.

Judges 20
Mizpeh is a gathering place for the tribes of Israel, showing its continued significance as a site for assembly and decision-making.

1 Samuel 7
Mizpeh is a place where Samuel calls Israel to repentance and renewal of their covenant with God, emphasizing its role as a spiritual center.
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
Chephirah, Chephi'rah, Kephirah, Mizpeh, Mozah
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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