Lexical Summary Qattath: Crushing, destruction Original Word: קַטָּת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Kattath From qatan; littleness; Kattath, a place in Palestine -- Kattath. see HEBREW qatan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a city in Zebulun NASB Translation Kattah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs קַטָּת proper name, of a location in Zebulun Joshua 19:15, Καταναθ, A Κατταθ, ᵐ5L Κοτταθ; — see קִטְרוֺן above Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Kattath appears once in Scripture: “Included were Kattath, Nahallal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem—twelve cities, along with their villages” (Joshua 19:15). The verse sits within the allotment list for the tribe of Zebulun after the conquest of Canaan. Geographical Context Kattath lay within the western sector of Lower Galilee, bounded by the Jezreel Valley to the south and the hills that rise toward Naphtali to the north. Although its exact location remains uncertain, scholars usually place it near modern-day Kana el-Jelil or within the cluster of sites surrounding present-day Kefar Kana. The city’s close association with Nahallal (Joshua 19:15; Judges 1:30) suggests a network of agricultural villages on fertile plains that benefited from the abundant watercourses flowing into the Kishon River system. Historical Background 1. Conquest and Settlement: Joshua’s listing records Zebulun’s inheritance after the LORD fulfilled His promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:7) and reaffirmed through Moses (Deuteronomy 7:1-2). Kattath stands as one of twelve centers meant to anchor Zebulun’s tribal life in the land of promise. Role Within Zebulun’s Allotment Zebulun’s territory formed a land bridge between the Mediterranean trade routes and inland valleys. Kattath, together with Shimron and Bethlehem of Galilee, likely guarded approaches to the Via Maris while supporting cereal agriculture and viticulture. Zebulun’s prophetic blessings—“Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore” (Genesis 49:13) and “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys” (Deuteronomy 33:18)—imply a people engaged in commerce and pilgrimage. Kattath would have contributed grain and livestock for temple worship (Leviticus 2:14; 1 Kings 4:10-11) and supported pilgrims traveling northward to feast in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:16). Archaeological Insights While no definitive excavation of Kattath has been confirmed, tell sites in Lower Galilee reveal continuous occupation layers from Late Bronze through Iron Age II. Pottery assemblages, fortification foundations, and rock-cut cisterns illustrate modest but stable agrarian towns. Such evidence harmonizes with the biblical portrayal of “cities with their villages” (Joshua 19:15), reflecting decentralized settlements yet united under tribal identity. Theological and Spiritual Themes 1. Covenant Faithfulness: Kattath reminds readers that every promise of land, down to the smallest town, was kept by the LORD (Joshua 21:45). Prophetic and Christological Connections The tribal land of Zebulun, including Kattath, is cited in Isaiah 9:1 as an area humbled yet later honored by the coming of the Servant-King. Jesus of Nazareth, raised a short distance from the ancient Zebulun-Naphtali border, fulfilled that prophecy. Thus, Kattath’s allotment participates in a geographical tapestry that magnifies Christ’s light to the nations. Lessons for Ministry Today • God values seemingly obscure places; no inheritance is negligible in His redemptive plan. Related Scriptures for Further Study Genesis 49:13; Deuteronomy 33:18-19; Joshua 19:10-16; Judges 1:30; Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:12-16; Acts 10:37. Forms and Transliterations וְקַטָּ֤ת וקטת vekatTat wə·qaṭ·ṭāṯ wəqaṭṭāṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 19:15 HEB: וְקַטָּ֤ת וְנַֽהֲלָל֙ וְשִׁמְר֔וֹן NAS: [Included] also [were] Kattah and Nahalal KJV: And Kattath, and Nahallal, INT: also Kattah and Nahalal and Shimron 1 Occurrence |
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