Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, New Living Translation Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, English Standard Version Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, Berean Standard Bible Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, King James Bible And Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah, New King James Version Avim, Parah, Ophrah, New American Standard Bible Avvim, Parah, and Ophrah, NASB 1995 and Avvim and Parah and Ophrah, NASB 1977 and Avvim and Parah and Ophrah, Legacy Standard Bible and Avvim and Parah and Ophrah, Amplified Bible and Avvim and Parah and Ophrah, Christian Standard Bible Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, Holman Christian Standard Bible Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, American Standard Version and Avvim, and Parah, and Ophrah, English Revised Version and Avvim, and Parah, and Ophrah; GOD'S WORD® Translation Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, Good News Translation Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, International Standard Version Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, NET Bible Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, New Heart English Bible and Avvim, and Parah, and Ophrah, Webster's Bible Translation And Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAvvim, Parah, Ophrah, World English Bible Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah, Young's Literal Translation and Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah, Smith's Literal Translation And Avim and Parah, and Ophrah, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Avim and Aphara and Ophera, Catholic Public Domain Version and Avvim and Parah and Ophrah, New American Bible Avvim, Parah, Ophra, New Revised Standard Version Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAvin, Parah, Ophrah, Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Aween and Pera and Uphra OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and Avvim, and Parah, and Ophrah; Brenton Septuagint Translation and Aeein, and Phara, and Ephratha, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Benjamin's Inheritance…22Beth-arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel, 23Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, 24Chephar-ammoni, Ophni, and Geba—twelve cities, along with their villages.… Cross References Joshua 15:21-32 These were the southernmost cities of the tribe of Judah in the Negev toward the border of Edom: Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur, / Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, / Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan, ... Joshua 19:1-9 The second lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Simeon: Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah / and included Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah, / Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, ... 1 Chronicles 4:28-33 They lived in Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, / Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad, / Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag, ... Genesis 49:13-21 Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon. / Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds. / He saw that his resting place was good and that his land was pleasant, so he bent his shoulder to the burden and submitted to labor as a servant. ... Numbers 34:1-12 Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Command the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land of Canaan, it will be allotted to you as an inheritance with these boundaries: / Your southern border will extend from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. On the east, your southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea, ... Deuteronomy 33:18-19 Concerning Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents. / They will call the peoples to a mountain; there they will offer sacrifices of righteousness. For they will feast on the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand.” Judges 1:1-7 After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the LORD, “Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?” / “Judah shall go up,” answered the LORD. “Indeed, I have delivered the land into their hands.” / Then the men of Judah said to their brothers the Simeonites, “Come up with us to our allotted territory, and let us fight against the Canaanites. And we likewise will go with you to your territory.” So the Simeonites went with them. ... 1 Samuel 7:16-17 Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places. / Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD. 2 Samuel 2:8-11 Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim, / and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel. / Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David. ... 1 Kings 4:7-19 Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel to provide food for the king and his household. Each one would arrange provisions for one month of the year, / and these were their names: Ben-hur in the hill country of Ephraim; / Ben-deker in Makaz, in Shaalbim, in Beth-shemesh, and in Elon-beth-hanan; ... 2 Kings 15:29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and he took the people as captives to Assyria. Isaiah 9:1-2 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations: / The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. Matthew 4:13-16 Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, / to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: / “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— ... Luke 4:14-15 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and the news about Him spread throughout the surrounding region. / He taught in their synagogues and was glorified by everyone. John 4:1-3 When Jesus realized that the Pharisees were aware He was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John / (although it was not Jesus who baptized, but His disciples), / He left Judea and returned to Galilee. Treasury of Scripture And Avim, and Pharah, and Ophrah, 1 Samuel 13:17 And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual: Jump to Previous Avim Avvim Ophrah ParahJump to Next Avim Avvim Ophrah ParahJoshua 18 1. The tabernacle is set up at Shiloh2. The remainder of the land is described, and divided into seven parts 10. Joshua distributes it by lot 11. The lot and border of Benjamin 21. Their cities Avvim Avvim is a town mentioned in the allotment of the tribe of Benjamin. Its name may be related to the Avvites, a group of people mentioned in the conquest narratives of the Old Testament. The Avvites were one of the peoples displaced by the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land. This connection highlights the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The mention of Avvim in the context of Benjamin's territory underscores the detailed nature of the land distribution among the tribes, reflecting God's faithfulness in providing for His people. Parah Ophrah Persons / Places / Events 1. AvvimA town within the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. The name may be related to the Avvites, a people mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament. 2. Parah Another town in the land given to Benjamin. Its exact location is uncertain, but it is part of the inheritance that was distributed among the tribes of Israel. 3. Ophrah A town also within Benjamin's territory. It is distinct from the Ophrah associated with Gideon in the book of Judges. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness in Fulfillment of PromisesThe allocation of land to the tribes of Israel, including Benjamin, demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham and his descendants. The Importance of Inheritance The detailed listing of towns and territories underscores the importance of inheritance and the tangible blessings God provides to His people. Community and Belonging The specific mention of towns within Benjamin's territory highlights the sense of community and belonging that comes with being part of God's people. Historical and Spiritual Significance Understanding the historical context of these locations enriches our appreciation of the spiritual journey of the Israelites and God's overarching plan. Stewardship of God's Gifts The division of the land serves as a reminder of the responsibility to steward well the gifts and resources God entrusts to us. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 18:23?2. How does Joshua 18:23 demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises? 3. What role did the cities in Joshua 18:23 play in Israel's inheritance? 4. How can we trust God's provision as seen in Joshua 18:23 today? 5. Connect Joshua 18:23 to God's promise of land in Genesis 15:18-21. 6. How does Joshua 18:23 encourage us to claim God's promises in our lives? 7. What is the significance of Avvim in Joshua 18:23 within the tribal allotments of Benjamin? 8. How does Joshua 18:23 reflect the historical accuracy of Israelite settlement patterns? 9. What archaeological evidence supports the existence of the towns listed in Joshua 18:23? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 18? 11. Did Joshua and the Israelites capture Jerusalem? Yes (Joshua 10:23, 40) No (Joshua 15:63) 12. Does Joshua 23:7's directive to avoid pagan nations conflict with biblical accounts of alliances Israel made in subsequent books? 13. In Joshua 12:1-24, how feasible is it that the Israelites defeated and occupied territories ruled by thirty-one kings so quickly without significant recorded losses? 14. If Joshua 23 emphasizes exclusive worship of Yahweh, why do historical records suggest continued syncretism and idolatry among the Israelites? What Does Joshua 18:23 Mean Avvim“Avvim, Parah, Ophrah” (Joshua 18:23). • By naming Avvim, the text shows that every corner of Benjamin’s territory mattered to God. He did not deal in vague generalities; He listed actual towns, proving He keeps promises down to street level (compare Joshua 21:43-45). • Avvim (“ruins” in other contexts) reminds us that the Lord transforms places once marked by loss into spaces of inheritance. Earlier, Avvites outside Canaan were displaced (Deuteronomy 2:23), yet here in Benjamin the town stands as evidence that God’s purposes move forward despite former devastation. • The inclusion of Avvim also underlines the unity of Israel’s tribes. While some Benjamite towns became well known (Gibeah, Jerusalem), Avvim shows that even quieter locales shared in covenant blessings (Psalm 16:6). Parah • Parah sits northeast of Jerusalem along Wadi Farah, a gorge still carrying seasonal water. By allotting a water-rich site to Benjamin, God provided for daily needs, fulfilling the promise “a land with brooks of water” (Deuteronomy 8:7). • The wadi empties into the Jordan, linking Benjamin’s inheritance to the larger flow of God’s provision for the nation (Psalm 65:9-10). • Though Parah appears only here, its single mention teaches that nothing is too small for Scripture. The Spirit catalogues every blessing so future generations can trace God’s faithfulness (Romans 15:4). • In New-Covenant terms, Parah’s stream pictures the living water Christ offers (John 7:37-38). The land gift finds ultimate fulfillment when the Lord Himself quenches His people’s thirst. Ophrah • This Ophrah lies in Benjamin, distinct from Gideon’s Ophrah in Manasseh (Judges 6:11). The duplication of names across tribes shows Israel’s shared heritage while preserving each tribe’s unique story. • Later, King Saul—Benjamite by birth (1 Samuel 9:1-2)—would illustrate how God can raise leaders from humble hometowns. Ophrah’s mention signals possibility: any settlement within God’s borders could become a stage for His work (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). • The listing also balances the narrative. After describing borders (Joshua 18:11-20), Scripture zooms in on communities like Ophrah to remind readers that real families would till soil, raise children, and worship the Lord there (Joshua 18:1; Deuteronomy 6:10-12). • Every name inscribed on the scroll affirms that every believer’s name can be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). summary Joshua 18:23 is more than a brief trio of place-names. Avvim shows God’s precision, Parah highlights His provision, and Ophrah underscores His personal care for ordinary people. Together they declare that the Lord fulfills His covenant in detail, sustains His people materially and spiritually, and values every community within His kingdom boundaries. Verse 23. - Avim. Most probably Ai (see note on Joshua 7:2).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Avvim,וְהָעַוִּ֥ים (wə·hā·‘aw·wîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 5761: Avvim -- a city in Benjamin, also a people on the soutwest coast of the Mediterranean Sea Parah, וְהַפָּרָ֖ה (wə·hap·pā·rāh) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 6511: Parah -- a place in Benjamin Ophrah, וְעָפְרָֽה׃ (wə·‘ā·p̄ə·rāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 6084: Ophrah -- an Israelite, also two places in Israel Links Joshua 18:23 NIVJoshua 18:23 NLT Joshua 18:23 ESV Joshua 18:23 NASB Joshua 18:23 KJV Joshua 18:23 BibleApps.com Joshua 18:23 Biblia Paralela Joshua 18:23 Chinese Bible Joshua 18:23 French Bible Joshua 18:23 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 18:23 Avvim Parah Ophrah (Josh. Jos) |
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