Joshua

For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.

As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land. Reflection Joshua 14:5 highlights the faithfulness of Israel in carrying out God’s instructions. After wandering in the wilderness for forty years, the Israelites are finally ready to possess the Promised Land. The verse underscores obedience, order, and trust in […]

Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.

Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.

Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.

And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.

This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast.

And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:

And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.

And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof. This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families.

And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.

And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher.

And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.

And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?

Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.

And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward:

This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.

And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,

And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,

And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan, Reflection This brief verse is part of a larger accounting of Judah’s inheritance. Though it reads like a simple list, it bears witness to promise realized. Under Joshua, the land once promised is now named, measured, and settled. Each place name marks a transition from wandering to dwelling, from […]

Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,

And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor,

Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,

And Hazargaddah, and Heshmon, and Bethpalet,

And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,

Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,

And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa:

And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah,