This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Naphtali, including these cities and their villages. This was the inheritanceThe term "inheritance" in the Hebrew context is "נַחֲלָה" (nachalah), which signifies a possession or heritage passed down through generations. In the biblical narrative, the concept of inheritance is deeply rooted in the covenantal promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It reflects not only a physical possession of land but also a spiritual legacy. For the Israelites, receiving their inheritance was a fulfillment of God's promises and a testament to His faithfulness. This inheritance was not merely a gift but a divine allotment, emphasizing God's sovereignty in distributing the land among the tribes. of the tribe of Naphtali
Naphtali was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Naphtali, the sixth son of Jacob and the second son of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant. The tribe's name, "נַפְתָּלִי" (Naphtali), is often associated with the idea of struggle or wrestling, as reflected in Genesis 30:8, where Rachel declares, "With mighty wrestlings, I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed." Historically, the territory of Naphtali was located in the northern part of Israel, a region known for its fertile land and strategic location. This area would later play a significant role in the ministry of Jesus, as it encompassed parts of Galilee. according to their clans
The phrase "according to their clans" indicates the division of the land among the various family groups within the tribe. The Hebrew word for "clans" is "מִשְׁפָּחוֹת" (mishpachot), which refers to extended family units or kinship groups. This division underscores the importance of family and community in ancient Israelite society. Each clan received a portion of the land, ensuring that the inheritance was distributed fairly and that each family had a stake in the Promised Land. This method of allocation also reinforced the tribal identity and cohesion, as each clan maintained its distinct heritage and responsibilities. the cities and their villages
The mention of "cities and their villages" highlights the structured settlement pattern within the tribal inheritance. The Hebrew words "עָרִים" (arim) for cities and "חַצְרֵיהֶן" (chatzerihen) for villages indicate a distinction between larger, fortified urban centers and smaller, rural communities. This distinction is significant in understanding the social and economic organization of the tribe. Cities often served as administrative and military hubs, while villages were primarily agricultural communities. The allocation of both cities and villages ensured that the tribe of Naphtali had the necessary infrastructure for governance, defense, and sustenance. This balanced distribution reflects God's provision for both the spiritual and practical needs of His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. NaphtaliOne of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Naphtali, the sixth son of Jacob and the second son of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant. The tribe of Naphtali was allotted land in the northern part of Canaan. 2. InheritanceRefers to the portion of land allocated to the tribe of Naphtali as part of the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel. This was a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land. 3. ClansThe subdivisions within the tribe of Naphtali, indicating that the land was distributed among smaller family units within the tribe. 4. Cities and VillagesThe specific urban and rural areas included in Naphtali's inheritance, highlighting the practical aspects of settling and living in the Promised Land. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness in Fulfillment of PromisesThe allocation of land to Naphtali is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the patriarchs. Believers can trust in God's promises for their lives. Importance of Community and FamilyThe division of land among clans emphasizes the importance of community and family in God's plan. Christians are encouraged to value and invest in their spiritual and physical families. Strategic Positioning for God's PurposesNaphtali's location was strategic for trade and defense. Believers should seek to understand and embrace their God-given positions and opportunities for His purposes. Role in God's Redemptive HistoryThe tribe of Naphtali played a role in significant biblical events, reminding Christians that they are part of a larger account of redemption and should be active participants in God's work. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the inheritance of the tribe of Naphtali demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises, and how can this encourage us in our personal walk with God? 2. In what ways can we, like the tribe of Naphtali, embrace our God-given roles and positions to further His kingdom purposes? 3. How does the concept of inheritance in Joshua 19:39 relate to the spiritual inheritance promised to believers in the New Testament? 4. What lessons can we learn from the tribe of Naphtali's involvement in the account of Deborah and Barak, and how can we apply these lessons to our own lives? 5. How can we foster a sense of community and family within our church or small group, reflecting the division of land among the clans of Naphtali? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 49:21Jacob's blessing to Naphtali, describing him as a "doe set free" that "bears beautiful fawns," which can be seen as a prophetic insight into the tribe's future. Deuteronomy 33:23Moses' blessing to Naphtali, wishing them favor and the full blessing of the Lord, which connects to the tribe's inheritance in a fertile and strategic region. Judges 4-5The account of Deborah and Barak, where the tribe of Naphtali plays a significant role in the victory over the Canaanite army, demonstrating their courage and faithfulness. People Allon, Anath, Asher, Dagon, Dan, Danites, Eleazar, Elon, Heleb, Hepher, Hosah, Israelites, Issachar, Japhia, Jezreel, Joshua, Naphtali, Nun, Rehob, Serah, Shema, Shimron, Shual, Simeon, Simeonites, Timnah, Zebulun, ZidonPlaces Achshaph, Achzib, Adami-nekeb, Aijalon, Ain, Allammelech, Amad, Anaharath, Aphek, Ashan, Aznoth-tabor, Baalath, Baalath-beer, Balah, Beersheba, Bene-berak, Beten, Beth-anath, Beth-dagan, Beth-emek, Beth-lebaoth, Bethlehem, Beth-marcaboth, Beth-pazzez, Beth-shemesh, Bethul, Cabul, Carmel, Chesulloth, Chinnereth, Chisloth-tabor, Dabbesheth, Daberath, Dan, Ebez, Ebron, Edrei, Ekron, Elon, Eltekeh, Eltolad, En-gannim, En-haddah, Eshtaol, Ether, Ezem, Gath-hepher, Gath-rimmon, Gibbethon, Gibeah, Hali, Hammath, Hammon, Hannathon, Hapharaim, Hazar-shual, Hazar-susah, Hazor, Heleph, Helkath, Horem, Hormah, Hosah, Hukkok, Idalah, Ir-shemesh, Ithlah, Jabneel, Japhia, Jehud, Jezreel, Jokneam, Joppa, Jordan River, Kanah, Kattath, Kedesh, Kishion, Lakkum, Leshem, Mahalab, Me-jarkon, Migdal-el, Mishal, Moladah, Nahalal, Neah, Negeb, Neiel, Rabbith, Rakkath, Rakkon, Ramah, Rehob, Remeth, Rimmon, Sarid, Shaalabbin, Shahazumah, Sharuhen, Sheba, Shiloh, Shimron, Shion, Shunem, Sidon the Great, Tabor, Timnah, Timnath-serah, Tyre, Ummah, Valley of Iphtahel, Yiron, Zaanannim, Zer, Ziddim, Ziklag, ZorahTopics Cities, Clan, Families, Hamlets, Heritage, Inheritance, Naphtali, Naph'tali, Places, Sons, Towns, Tribe, Unwalled, VillagesDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 19:1-47 7266 tribes of Israel Joshua 19:1-48 5235 boundary Library Tiberias.
All the Jews declare, almost with one consent, that this was a fortified city from ancient times, even from the days of Joshua, and was the same with Rakkath, of which mention is made, Joshua 19:35. "Rakkath is Tiberias," say the Jerusalem Gemarists. And those of Babylon say the same, and that more largely: "It is clear to us that Rakkath is Tiberias." And when, after a few lines, this of Rabbi Jochanan was objected, "When I was a boy, I said a certain thing, concerning which I asked the elders, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and HebraicaChammath. Ammaus. The Warm Baths of Tiberias.
Chammath and Rakkath are joined together, Joshua 19:35. For they were very neighbouring cities; Rakkath is Tiberias,--and Chammath, the town Ammaus, in Josephus. Of their neighbourhood, the Jerusalem Talmudists write thus: "The men of a great city may walk" (on the sabbath) "through a whole small city" (which was within a sabbath-day's journey); "but the inhabitants of a small city walk not through a whole great city." And then follows, "Formerly the men of Tiberias walked through all Chammath; but …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Some Other Towns Near Tiberias. Beth-Meon. Caphar Chittaia. Paltathah.
Among the towns, neighbouring upon Tiberias, Tarichee is especially commemorated in Josephus, a city thirty furlongs distant from Tiberias: you will find in him the history and mention of it very frequent. In the Talmudists we meet with other names also. I. Beth-Meon. "The men of Tiberias, who went up to Beth-Meon to be hired for workmen, were hired according to the custom of Beth-Meon: the men of Beth-Meon, who went down to Tiberias to be hired, were hired according to the custom of Tiberias." This …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
(Jerusalem and Bethlehem, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 1-12. ^a 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem [It lies five miles south by west of Jerusalem, a little to the east of the road to Hebron. It occupies part of the summit and sides of a narrow limestone ridge which shoots out eastward from the central chains of the Judæan mountains, and breaks down abruptly into deep valleys on the north, south, and east. Its old name, Ephrath, meant "the fruitful." Bethlehem means "house of bread." Its modern …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Within what Tribe the Lake of Gennesaret Was.
By comparing the maps with the Talmudic writers, this question ariseth: for there is not one among them, as far as I know, which does not altogether define the sea of Gennesaret to be without the tribe of Naphthali; but the Talmudists do most plainly place it within. "The Rabbins deliver: The sea of Tiberias is in the portion of Naphtali; yea, it takes a full line for the nets on the south side of it: as it is said, 'Possess the sea and the south,' Deuteronomy 33:23." The Gloss is; "(Naphtali) had …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The First Sign --The Marriage in Cana.
"And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and Jesus also was bidden, and His disciples, to the marriage. And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine. And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it. Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews' manner of purifying, containing two …
Marcus Dods—The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St. John, Vol. I And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Emmaus. Kiriath-Jearim.
"From Beth-horon to Emmaus it was hilly."--It was sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem.--"To eight hundred only, dismissed the army, (Vespasian) gave a place, called Ammaus, for them to inhabit: it is sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem." I inquire, whether this word hath the same etymology with Emmaus near Tiberias, which, from the 'warm baths,' was called Chammath. The Jews certainly do write this otherwise... "The family (say they) of Beth-Pegarim, and Beth Zipperia was out of Emmaus."--The …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
(Sea of Galilee, Near Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IV. 18-22; ^B Mark I. 16-20; ^C Luke V. 1-11. ^a 18 And walking ^b 16 And passing along by the sea of Galilee [This lake is a pear-shaped body of water, about twelve and a half miles long and about seven miles across at its widest place. It is 682 feet below sea level; its waters are fresh, clear and abounding in fish, and it is surrounded by hills and mountains, which rise from 600 to 1,000 feet above it. Its greatest depth is about 165 feet], he [Jesus] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
Subdivision D. The Transfiguration. Concerning Elijah. (a Spur of Hermon, Near Cæsarea Philippi.) ^A Matt. XVII. 1-13; ^B Mark IX. 2-13; ^C Luke IX. 28-36. ^c 28 And it came to pass about eight days { ^a six days} ^c after these sayings [Mark agrees with Matthew in saying six days. Luke qualifies his estimate by saying "about." But if we regard him as including the day of the "sayings" and also the day of the transfiguration, and the other two as excluding these days, then the three statements …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Joshua 19:39 NIVJoshua 19:39 NLTJoshua 19:39 ESVJoshua 19:39 NASBJoshua 19:39 KJV
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