Joshua 19:6

And Bethlebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities and their villages:

And Bethlebaoth {H1034}, and Sharuhen {H8287}; thirteen {H7969}{H6240} cities {H5892} and their villages {H2691}:

Beit-L'va'ot and Sharuchen - thirteen cities, together with their villages;

Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen—thirteen cities, along with their villages.

and Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities with their villages:

Joshua 19:6 details two specific cities, Bethlebaoth and Sharuhen, as part of the thirteen cities and their associated villages allotted to the tribe of Simeon during the division of the Promised Land.

Context

This verse is found within the extensive account of Israel's land distribution in the book of Joshua, specifically detailing the inheritance of the remaining tribes after Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh had received their portions. Joshua 19:1-9 describes the territory given to the tribe of Simeon. Notably, Simeon's inheritance was unique; it was carved out of the larger territory of Judah, fulfilling Jacob's prophetic words in Genesis 49:7 regarding their dispersion within Israel. The meticulous listing of cities like Bethlebaoth and Sharuhen underscores the precise and orderly fulfillment of God's promises regarding the land.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness and Fulfillment: The precise enumeration of cities and their villages, down to specific place names, highlights God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants. Every detail of the land inheritance, no matter how small, was part of His divine plan and was meticulously executed.
  • Tribal Identity and Inheritance: These detailed lists of cities established the physical boundaries and, by extension, the distinct identity of each tribe within the Promised Land. For Simeon, it defined their unique position within Judah's territory.
  • Order and Precision: The systematic process of land division, overseen by Joshua, Eleazar the priest, and the tribal leaders, demonstrates the highly organized and precise nature of God's dealings with His people. Nothing was left to chance.

Linguistic Insights

The term "villages" (Hebrew: חֲצֵרִים, hatserim) typically refers to open settlements, hamlets, or encampments that were dependent on a larger, fortified city. Including "and their villages" alongside the cities emphasizes that the inheritance was comprehensive, encompassing not just the main urban centers but also all the surrounding agricultural and residential areas, ensuring the tribes had full control and resources within their allotted land.

Practical Application

Though a seemingly dry list of ancient cities, Joshua 19:6 carries significant spiritual weight:

  • God's Attention to Detail: If God meticulously oversaw the distribution of ancient cities and villages, it assures us that He is attentive to every detail of our lives, even those we might consider insignificant.
  • Trustworthiness of God's Word: The historical fulfillment of these specific land promises reinforces the absolute trustworthiness of God's Word. If He fulfilled these ancient, detailed promises, we can have confidence in His promises for our future, including the promise of a dwelling place in His eternal kingdom.
  • Our Spiritual Inheritance: Just as the tribes received a physical inheritance, believers today have a spiritual inheritance in Christ, which is far greater and incorruptible (see 1 Peter 1:4). This verse reminds us that God's plans for our inheritance are just as real and certain.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Joshua 15:32

    And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities [are] twenty and nine, with their villages:
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