Lexical Summary Yuttah or Yutah: Yuttah Original Word: יֻטָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Juttah Or Yuwtah {yoo-taw'}; from natah; extended; Juttah (or Jutah), a place in Palestine -- Juttah. see HEBREW natah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom natah Definition a city in Judah NASB Translation Juttah (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs יֻטָּה Joshua 21:16, יוּטָּה (so Baer) Joshua 15:55 proper name, of a location town in Judah (Joshua 15:55 ᵐ5 Ιγαν. A ᵐ5L Ιεττα, Joshua 21:16 ᵐ5 Τανυ, ᵐ5L Ιεττα). Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences Yuttah appears twice, both in the distribution lists of the conquered land. In Joshua 15:55 it is catalogued among the hill-country towns of Judah; in Joshua 21:16 it is singled out again when “Ain, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh, together with their pasturelands” are handed over to the priestly descendants of Aaron. These complementary references reveal both its geographic placement and its priestly status. Geographical Setting Situated in the southern Judean hill country, Yuttah is commonly identified with modern Yatta, approximately eight kilometers south of Hebron. The location commands a natural ridge overlooking fertile terraced slopes and ancient travel routes that linked the Negev with Hebron and Bethlehem. This strategic elevation explains its inclusion in Judah’s mountain region and later importance for priestly residence. Role as a Levitical City Yuttah was one of the forty-eight Levitical cities and one of the nine specifically assigned to the Aaronic priests within Judah and Simeon’s combined allotments. Its surrounding “pasturelands” provided livelihood for the priests’ livestock, reflecting the LORD’s provision for those whose inheritance was His service rather than territorial expansion (Numbers 18:20-24). Thus, Yuttah stands as a tangible reminder that spiritual ministry was meant to be sustained within every tribal district, underscoring Israel’s covenant unity. Typological and Theological Insights 1. Provision amid Promise: The placement of a priestly center deep in Judah’s rugged highlands illustrates the LORD’s intent that worship and instruction permeate even the most remote settlements. Connections to New Testament Narrative Luke records that Zechariah and Elizabeth lived “in the hill country of Judea” (Luke 1:39). Because Yuttah was a recognized Aaronic town in that very region, early Christian tradition—echoed by some patristic writers and Byzantine pilgrims—identified Yuttah as the hometown of John the Baptist’s parents. While not conclusive, this association underscores the continuity between Old Covenant priesthood and the herald of the New Covenant. Lessons for Christian Ministry • Strategic Placement: Congregations today should seek to embed gospel witness in every social and geographic sector, not merely in population centers. Archaeological Note Surface surveys at modern Yatta reveal Iron Age pottery, rock-hewn cisterns, and tombs consistent with continuous occupation since the time of the Judges. Though no definitive inscription of the ancient name has been unearthed, the correlation of location, topography, and local tradition strongly favors the identification. Yuttah thus serves as a modest but meaningful witness to the LORD’s faithful provision for His priesthood and, by extension, for all who are called into His service. Forms and Transliterations וְיוּטָּֽה׃ ויוטה׃ יֻטָּה֙ יטה veyutTah wə·yūṭ·ṭāh wəyūṭṭāh yuṭ·ṭāh yutTah yuṭṭāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 15:55 HEB: כַּרְמֶ֖ל וָזִ֥יף וְיוּטָּֽה׃ NAS: Carmel and Ziph and Juttah, KJV: Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah, INT: Carmel and Ziph and Juttah Joshua 21:16 2 Occurrences |
    |