Breakdown of Joshua 18:21-28

"Now the cities of the tribe of the people of Benjamin according to their clans were Jericho, Beth-hoglah, Emek-keziz, Beth-arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel, Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, Chephar-ammoni, Ophni, Geba—twelve cities with their villages: Gibeo…" — Even though Jericho was cursed and its rebuilding forbidden, its territory was still listed as part of Benjamin's inheritance, showing that God's promises and judgments can coexist in complex ways.…

All verses

Joshua 18:21-28

What does Joshua 18:21-28 mean?

Even though Jericho was cursed and its rebuilding forbidden, its territory was still listed as part of Benjamin's inheritance, showing that God's promises and judgments can coexist in complex ways. The inclusion of "valley of Keziz" also highlights that sometimes a place name refers to a location within a broader region, not necessarily a prominent city itself.

Now the cities of the tribe of the people of Benjamin according to their clans were Jericho, Beth-hoglah, Emek-keziz, Beth-arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel, Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, Chephar-ammoni, Ophni, Geba—twelve cities with their villages: Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth, Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah, Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah, Zela, Haeleph, Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah and Kiriath-jearim—fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the people of Benjamin according to its clans.

English Standard Version (ESV)

What Joshua 18:21-28 means

This passage marks the formal distribution of land to the tribe of Benjamin, following the initial division of Canaan. After the boundaries of Benjamin's inheritance were established between Judah and Joseph, Joshua begins listing the specific cities and territories that fell to them, starting with well-known locations like Jericho and Beth-hoglah. This detailed cataloging emphasizes the concrete reality of God fulfilling His promise of land to His people.

Land Allocation by Divine Design

How did the Israelites know where their land would be? It wasn't random chance, but a deliberate process guided by God himself.

Joshua 18 marks a pivotal moment where the remaining tribes of Israel, including Benjamin, receive their inherited lands. This wasn't a free-for-all, but a meticulously orchestrated distribution by lot, overseen by Joshua and the priests.

A Divine System: The text emphasizes that the lot was cast "before the LORD" (Joshua 18:6), signifying that the outcomes were not arbitrary. God was actively involved in determining the boundaries and cities for each tribe.
Order from Chaos: After years of wandering and conquest, this process brought order and settled the people into their allotted portions. For Benjamin, this meant a specific territory nestled between Judah and Joseph.
Purposeful Placement: While the verse lists cities, the broader context reveals a strategic placement. Benjamin's land was situated centrally, linking other significant tribes and even encompassing key areas like Jerusalem later on.

Jericho's Shadow and Benjamin's Identity

Jericho, a city known for its dramatic destruction, is listed first for Benjamin. What does this tell us about the tribe's beginnings?

The very first city mentioned for Benjamin's inheritance is Jericho. This is striking because Jericho was famously conquered and cursed by Joshua (Joshua 6:26), with a decree that its rebuilding would incur a severe penalty.

Ask a follow-up

Ask Sola about this verse

This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.

What Joshua 18:21-28 means

The original words in Joshua 18:21-28

citiesעִיר

`iyr · Hebrew Noun

A permanent human settlement, often fortified, serving as a center for political, social, and religious life in the ancient Near East. In the biblical context, cities were the primary administrative units for the distribution of the land among the tribes of Israel.

clansמִשְׁפָּחָה

mishpachah · Hebrew Noun

A kinship group or extended family unit that formed the fundamental social structure of the Israelite tribes. The land was divided among the tribes, and then sub-divided according to these groups.

Benjaminבִּנְיָמִן

Binyamin · Hebrew Proper Noun

Refers to the descendants of Jacob's son, Benjamin, who became one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This tribe was known for its warriors and historically held the territory between Ephraim to the north and Judah to the south.

villagesחָצֵר

chatser · Hebrew Noun

Small agricultural settlements or satellite communities surrounding a larger city, dependent on the central city for protection and administration.

Mizpehמִצְפֶּה

Mitspeh · Hebrew Noun

A Hebrew term meaning "watchtower" or "lookout point." In the Bible, it often denotes a strategic place for observation, both physically and spiritually, and frequently serves as a location for significant gatherings or covenants.

Jebusיְבוּס

Yebus · Hebrew Noun

An ancient city later identified as Jerusalem. It was a Jebusite stronghold that became the political and religious center of Israel under King David, symbolizing the seat of God's presence and the throne of the Davidic covenant.

citiesעִיר

iyr · Hebrew Noun

The Hebrew word for "city." It refers to a settled area with a wall or fortification, representing a center of community, defense, and administration within the tribal territories of Israel.

inheritanceנַחֲלָה

nachalah · Hebrew Noun

Refers to the portion of land allotted to each tribe by God through Joshua. It signifies the fulfillment of the promise to the patriarchs, serving as a permanent possession and a sign of God's faithfulness to His covenant people.

clansמִשְׁפָּחָה

mishpachah · Hebrew Noun

A term used to describe the extended family units within the tribes of Israel. These groups were the primary building blocks of Israelite society, responsible for the distribution of land and the preservation of ancestral identity.

What does Joshua 18:21-28 mean?

What Joshua 18:21-28 means

Land Allocation by Divine Design

Jericho's Shadow and Benjamin's Identity

Ask Sola about this verse

What Joshua 18:21-28 means

Land Allocation by Divine Design

Jericho's Shadow and Benjamin's Identity

Ask Sola about this verse

The original words in Joshua 18:21-28

The situation behind Joshua 18:21-28

The historical timeline around Joshua 18:21-28

Key themes in Joshua 18:21-28

Verses connected to Joshua 18:21-28

Scholarly commentary on Joshua 18:21-28

Frequently asked questions about Joshua 18:21-28

Study this verse in Sola