Lexical Summary Yidalah: Yidalah Original Word: יִדְאֲלָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Idalah Of uncertain derivation; Jidalah, a place in Palestine -- Idalah. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a place in Zebulun NASB Translation Idalah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יִדְאֲלָה proper name, of a location in Zebulun Joshua 19:15, ᵐ5 Ιερειχω, ᵐ5L Ιεδαλα; ᵑ6  ; site unknown. יִדְבָּשׁ see below דְּבַשׁ above Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Yidalah (Idalah) lay in the heart of Lower Galilee, within the inheritance of the tribe of Zebulun. The surrounding towns listed with it—Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, and Bethlehem—formed a cluster of settlements north-northwest of the Jezreel Valley. The terrain is characterized by gently rolling hills that slope toward fertile plains, ideal for agriculture and trade routes linking the Mediterranean coast with the Jordan Rift. Biblical Context and Usage The sole reference appears in Joshua 19:15. As Joshua completed the division of the land, Scripture records: “Included within the territory were Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem; twelve cities with their villages” (Joshua 19:15). The verse underscores two things: 1. Idalah belonged to Zebulun, fulfilling Jacob’s prophetic blessing that Zebulun would dwell “by the seashore” and become a haven for commerce (Genesis 49:13). Historical Significance Although Idalah never emerges as a military stronghold or prophetic stage, its quiet presence highlights several historical realities: • Settlement Continuity: Archaeological surveys in central Galilee show uninterrupted habitation from the Late Bronze Age into the Iron Age, consistent with an early Israelite foothold. Theological Themes God’s Faithfulness in Detail: The precision with which Idalah is named testifies that divine promises extend to the minutiae of covenant life. No family in Zebulun was left landless; each received a portion that bore witness to Yahweh’s reliability. Inheriting Rest: The land lists of Joshua foreshadow the believer’s “inheritance that is imperishable” (1 Peter 1:4). Idalah’s allotment, though humble, mirrors the greater rest secured in Christ, whose kingdom likewise assigns “many dwelling places” (John 14:2). Corporate Blessing: Idalah illustrates that covenant blessings are communal. Its mention within a unit of twelve towns mirrors the twelve-tribe structure, reminding readers that individual settlements flourish only within the collective obedience of Israel. Ministry and Devotional Insights • Hidden Faithfulness: Leaders may draw encouragement from Idalah’s obscurity; significance in God’s economy is not measured by public recognition but by faithfulness within one’s assigned boundaries. Echoes in Later Scripture While Idalah itself is not cited beyond Joshua, themes associated with Zebulun recur: • Isaiah 9:1 foresees light dawning “in the land of Zebulun,” ultimately fulfilled by Jesus’ Galilean ministry (Matthew 4:13-16). Idalah’s vicinity thus lay beneath the very horizon of Messianic promise. Summary Points for Teaching and Study 1. Idalah demonstrates the painstaking accuracy of Scripture’s historical record. Forms and Transliterations וְיִדְאֲלָ֖ה וידאלה veyidaLah wə·yiḏ·’ă·lāh wəyiḏ’ălāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 19:15 HEB: וְנַֽהֲלָל֙ וְשִׁמְר֔וֹן וְיִדְאֲלָ֖ה וּבֵ֣ית לָ֑חֶם NAS: and Shimron and Idalah and Bethlehem; KJV: and Shimron, and Idalah, and Bethlehem: INT: and Nahalal and Shimron and Idalah and Bethlehem cities 1 Occurrence |
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