The Hebrew term Bêyth Choglâh, represented by H1031, translates to house of a partridge. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. As a proper name, it identifies Beth-hoglah, a place in Palestine.
In the biblical narrative, H1031 functions exclusively as a geographical landmark in the book of Joshua, helping to define tribal territories. It is identified as one of the cities H5892 belonging to the tribe H4294 of Benjamin H1144 Joshua 18:21. Its primary role is marking the border H1366 between the allotments of Judah and Benjamin. The border is described as going up H5927 to Beth-hoglah Joshua 15:6 and passing along to its side H3802 northward Joshua 18:19. This border ultimately defines the south H5045 coast for Benjamin's territory, ending at the Jordan H3383.
Several related words clarify the role of Beth-hoglah:
- H1366 gᵉbûwl (border): This word, meaning a boundary or the territory enclosed, is central to the context of Beth-hoglah. The biblical text meticulously traces the border H1366 that went up H5927 to Beth-hoglah Joshua 15:6.
- H1144 Binyâmîyn (Benjamin): This name identifies the tribe descended from Jacob's youngest son. Beth-hoglah is explicitly listed among the cities H5892 allotted to the children of Benjamin H1144 according to their families Joshua 18:21.
- H5892 ʻîyr (city): This term for a city or town clarifies that Beth-hoglah was an inhabited place, not just a natural landmark. It is included in a list of cities H5892 for Benjamin that also includes Jericho H3405 and the valley H6010 of Keziz Joshua 18:21.
Though a minor place name, the mention of H1031 carries theological weight related to God's covenant promises.
- Fulfilled Inheritance: The precise detailing of boundaries involving Beth-hoglah is a testament to the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land of Canaan to the tribes of Israel. The allotment included specific cities H5892 for each family H4940 Joshua 18:21.
- Divine Order: The establishment of a clear border H1366 at Beth-hoglah reflects the divine ordering of the promised land. This division ensured that each tribe, such as Benjamin H1144, received its designated portion Joshua 18:21.
- Territorial Identity: By marking a point on the border, Beth-hoglah helps solidify the distinct inheritance and identity of each tribe. The border goes up to the stone H68 of Bohan the son H1121 of Reuben H7205, showing how landmarks were tied to the history of the Israelite people Joshua 15:6.
In summary, Bêyth Choglâh H1031 is more than just a place name meaning "house of a partridge." It is a key geographical marker in the book of Joshua. Its function is to define the specific border H1366 between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and to identify one of the cities H5892 belonging to Benjamin. Ultimately, the mention of Beth-hoglah illustrates the faithfulness of God in meticulously allotting the promised land, establishing order, and defining the inheritance for the families of Israel.
TRV