Joshua 19:30

Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their villages.

Ummah {H5981} also, and Aphek {H663}, and Rehob {H7340}: twenty {H6242} and two {H8147} cities {H5892} with their villages {H2691}.

Also included were 'Umah, Afek and Rechov - twenty cities, together with their villages.

Ummah, Aphek, and Rehob. There were twenty-two cities, along with their villages.

Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their villages.

Commentary

Joshua 19:30 KJV is a concise verse detailing specific cities allocated to the tribe of Asher as part of their inheritance in the Promised Land. It concludes a list of places within Asher's territory, confirming the total count for this segment.

Context of Joshua 19:30

This verse is situated within the extensive account of the division of the land of Canaan among the twelve tribes of Israel, as recorded in the book of Joshua, chapters 13 through 21. Following the conquest of much of the land under Joshua's leadership, the tribes received their specific allotments by lot, fulfilling God's ancient promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:7). Joshua 19 specifically details the territories assigned to Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan. Verse 30 is the conclusion of the list of cities for the tribe of Asher, located in the northern coastal region of Canaan. The meticulous enumeration of "twenty and two cities with their villages" highlights the precision and thoroughness of the land distribution process, supervised by Joshua and Eleazar the priest, as outlined in Joshua 18:1.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Faithfulness: The detailed listing of cities, including Ummah, Aphek, and Rehob, serves as a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to the Israelites. Every piece of land, every city, was part of His divine plan, confirming that not one word of all the good promises the Lord had made failed.
  • Order and Precision: The precise count of "twenty and two cities with their villages" underscores the highly organized and methodical nature of God's provision. This was not a haphazard distribution but a carefully orchestrated allocation ensuring each tribe received its rightful and distinct inheritance.
  • Tribal Identity and Inheritance: These verses reinforce the unique identity and heritage of each tribe within the nation of Israel. Asher's specific cities and boundaries contributed to their distinct place and responsibility within the larger community.

Linguistic Insights

The names mentioned are Hebrew place names:

  • Ummah (ืึปืžึผึธื”): The exact location is debated, but it was within Asher's territory.
  • Aphek (ืึฒืคึตืง): This name, meaning "fortress" or "stronghold," appears in several locations in the Bible. The Aphek mentioned here is likely distinct from others, situated in Asher's northern region.
  • Rehob (ืจึฐื—ึนื‘): Meaning "broad place" or "street," this city was also part of Asher's inheritance, and like Aphek, there were multiple places named Rehob in ancient Israel.
  • "Villages" (ื—ืฆืจ, hatser): This term refers to the smaller, unwalled settlements or hamlets that were dependent on or associated with a larger, fortified city. It indicates that the count included not just major urban centers but also their surrounding satellite communities.

Practical Application and Reflection

Joshua 19:30, though seemingly a mere list of ancient place names, offers profound insights for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Specificity: Just as God meticulously planned and distributed the land to Israel, He has a precise plan for our lives. We can trust in His detailed provision and guidance, knowing He oversees even the "villages" of our circumstances.
  • Understanding Our Inheritance: While our inheritance is not a physical plot of land, believers have a spiritual inheritance in Christ (e.g., Ephesians 1:11). This verse reminds us that God's promises are concrete and will be fully realized.
  • God's Faithfulness in the Details: The inclusion of obscure cities like Ummah, Aphek, and Rehob, and the exact count of "twenty and two," emphasizes that God's faithfulness extends to every minute detail of His promises. This should encourage us to trust Him in every aspect of our lives, no matter how small.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 20:30 (2 votes)

    But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and [there] a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men [that were] left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.

  • Joshua 19:28 (2 votes)

    And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, [even] unto great Zidon;

  • Joshua 21:31 (2 votes)

    Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities.

  • Numbers 13:11 (2 votes)

    Of the tribe of Joseph, [namely], of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi.

  • Joshua 12:18 (2 votes)

    The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;

  • Joshua 13:4 (2 votes)

    From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that [is] beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites:

  • 1 Samuel 4:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.