Kedesh, Edrei, En-hazor, KedeshKedesh, meaning "holy" or "sacred" in Hebrew, was a city of refuge located in the territory of Naphtali. It served as a sanctuary for those who accidentally committed manslaughter, providing them protection from the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted. This reflects God's provision for justice and mercy within the community, emphasizing the importance of both accountability and compassion. Archaeologically, Kedesh has been identified with Tell Qadesh, where excavations have revealed significant remains from the biblical period, underscoring its historical significance. Edrei
Edrei, meaning "mighty" or "strong," was another city within the inheritance of the tribe of Naphtali. The name itself suggests a place of strength and fortification, which is fitting given its strategic location. Historically, Edrei is also known as one of the royal cities of Og, king of Bashan, conquered by the Israelites under Moses' leadership (Numbers 21:33-35). This conquest symbolizes God's power and faithfulness in delivering His people and granting them victory over formidable foes. The mention of Edrei in Joshua 19:37 serves as a reminder of God's past deliverance and the ongoing fulfillment of His promises to Israel. En-hazor
En-hazor, meaning "spring of Hazor," indicates a location with a water source, which was vital for sustaining life in ancient times. The presence of a spring would have made En-hazor an attractive settlement site, providing necessary resources for agriculture and daily living. Hazor itself was a significant Canaanite city, known for its size and influence, and was later destroyed by Joshua as part of the conquest of Canaan (Joshua 11:10-11). The inclusion of En-hazor in the list of cities allotted to Naphtali highlights the transformation of the land from Canaanite control to Israelite inheritance, symbolizing the establishment of God's people in the Promised Land. This transition from Canaanite to Israelite control reflects the overarching biblical narrative of redemption and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth. Persons / Places / Events 1. KedeshA city of refuge located in the territory of Naphtali. It was a significant Levitical city, providing sanctuary and justice, reflecting God's provision for mercy and order. 2. EdreiA town in the region of Naphtali. Not to be confused with the Edrei in Bashan, this Edrei is part of the inheritance given to the tribe of Naphtali. 3. En-hazorA lesser-known location within Naphtali's inheritance. Its mention signifies the detailed and specific nature of God's promises and the fulfillment of His word to the tribes of Israel. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness in DetailThe specific mention of cities like Kedesh, Edrei, and En-hazor in the allotment of land to Naphtali demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises down to the smallest detail. Believers can trust that God is attentive to the details of their lives. Sanctuary and JusticeKedesh as a city of refuge illustrates God's provision for mercy and justice. Christians are called to be places of refuge and justice in their communities, offering grace and truth. Strategic Importance of ObedienceThe cities mentioned were not just random locations but strategic places for the tribe of Naphtali. Believers should seek God's guidance in understanding the strategic roles they play in His kingdom. Inheritance and IdentityThe allocation of these cities to Naphtali underscores the importance of understanding one's spiritual inheritance and identity in Christ. Believers are encouraged to explore and embrace their God-given identity and purpose. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the mention of specific cities like Kedesh, Edrei, and En-hazor in Joshua 19:37 reflect God's attention to detail in His promises? 2. In what ways can Christians today serve as "cities of refuge" in their communities, similar to Kedesh? 3. How does the strategic location of these cities within Naphtali's inheritance inspire you to consider your role in God's plan? 4. What can we learn from the allocation of land to the tribes of Israel about our spiritual inheritance in Christ? 5. How do the roles of these cities in biblical history encourage you to seek God's purpose for your life and community involvement? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 20:7Kedesh is mentioned as a city of refuge, highlighting its role in God's justice system for Israel. Judges 4:6Kedesh is the place where Barak was summoned by Deborah to lead Israel against Sisera, showing its strategic importance. 1 Chronicles 6:76Kedesh is listed among the cities given to the Levites, emphasizing its spiritual significance. 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 Edrei, Ed're-i, En, Enhazor, En-hazor, En-ha'zor, Hazor, KedeshDictionary 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 19:37 NIVJoshua 19:37 NLTJoshua 19:37 ESVJoshua 19:37 NASBJoshua 19:37 KJV
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