In the biblical context, the concept of territories is significant both in the historical narrative of the Israelites and in the theological understanding of God's promises and covenants. Territories in the Bible often refer to the lands allotted to the tribes of Israel, the regions governed by various kings, and the areas of influence of different peoples and nations.

Promised Land

The most prominent territory in the Bible is the Promised Land, which God pledged to Abraham and his descendants. This land, described as flowing with milk and honey, is central to the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. In Genesis 15:18 , God makes a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates." This promise is reiterated to Isaac and Jacob, establishing a divine claim to the land of Canaan.

Tribal Allotments

Upon entering the Promised Land, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, divided the land among the twelve tribes. The Book of Joshua details these allotments, with each tribe receiving a specific portion of territory. For example, Joshua 13:7 states, "Now therefore divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh." The division of land was not only a fulfillment of God's promise but also a means of establishing order and governance among the people.

Territorial Expansion and Conflict

Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites experienced periods of territorial expansion and conflict. Under King David, the kingdom reached its zenith, encompassing a vast area. 2 Samuel 8:6 notes, "Then David placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute." However, the Israelites also faced challenges in maintaining control over their territories, often due to disobedience and idolatry, leading to invasions and exile.

Prophetic Significance

Territories also hold prophetic significance in the Bible. The prophets often spoke of the restoration of Israel's land as a sign of God's faithfulness. In Ezekiel 36:24 , God promises, "For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all the countries, and bring you back into your own land." This restoration is seen as part of the eschatological hope for Israel and the world.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the concept of territories takes on a spiritual dimension. Jesus' ministry, while geographically limited to the regions of Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, emphasized the expansion of God's kingdom beyond physical borders. In Acts 1:8 , Jesus commissions His disciples, saying, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This directive underscores the transition from a territorial to a universal understanding of God's kingdom.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative of territories reflects the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through history. From the Promised Land to the global mission of the Church, territories serve as a backdrop for God's interaction with humanity, illustrating His sovereignty, faithfulness, and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.(n.) Plural of Territory.2341. Chavilah -- a son of Cush, also a son of Joktan, also ...
... 2340, 2341. Chavilah. 2342 . a son of Cush, also a son of Joktan, also
territories of unc. location. Transliteration: Chavilah ...
/hebrew/2341.htm - 6k

776. erets -- earth, land
... floor (1), ground (119), land (1581), lands (57), lands have their land (2), open
(1), other* (2), piece (1), plateau* (1), region (1), territories (1), wild (1 ...
/hebrew/776.htm - 6k

1366. gebul -- border, boundary, territory
... NASB Word Usage area (1), barrier (1), border (144), borders (10), boundary (13),
coastline (3), districts (1), land (1), line (1), territories (1), territory ...
/hebrew/1366.htm - 6k

1367. gebulah -- border, boundary
... Word Origin fem. of gebul Definition border, boundary NASB Word Usage area (1),
borders (4), boundaries (3), landmarks (1), territories (1). ...
/hebrew/1367.htm - 6k

How Ethelfrid, King of the Northumbrians, Having Vanquished the ...
... XXXIV. How Ethelfrid, king of the Northumbrians, having vanquished the nations of
the Scots, expelled them from the territories of the English. [603 AD]. ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxxiv how ethelfrid king.htm

By this News Sennacherim was Led to Return in Order to Defend his ...
... The Sacred History Of Sulpitius Severus. Book I. Chapter LI. By this news Sennacherim
was led to return in order to defend his own territories? ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter li by this news.htm

How the Britons, Compelled by the Great Famine, Drove the ...
... How the Britons, compelled by the great famine, drove the barbarians out of the
their territories, and soon after there ensued, along with abundance of corn ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xiv how the britons.htm

How when King Penda was Slain, the Province of the Mercians ...
... XXIV. How when King Penda was slain, the province of the Mercians received the faith
of Christ, and Oswy gave possessions and territories to God, for building ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxiv how when king.htm

Refutation of the Absurd Idea of Two Territories.
... Against the Epistle of Manich??us Called Fundamental. Chapter 20. "Refutation
of the Absurd Idea of Two Territories. 22. But perhaps ...
/.../chapter 20 name of the.htm

Admission of the Fugitive Goths into the Roman Territories, which ...
... Chapter XXXIV."Admission of the Fugitive Goths into the Roman Territories, which
caused the Emperor's Overthrow, and eventually the Ruin of the Roman Empire. ...
/.../chapter xxxiv admission of the fugitive.htm

The Civil War --Antecedents and Consequences.
... volume beyond precedent. Between 1845 and 186o there were admitted seven
new States and four organized Territories. Withal it was ...
/.../a history of american christianity/chapter xix the civil warantecedents.htm

Luke's Account of the Enrollment
... He distinguishes this whole empire, containing these various territories and
governments and provinces, from the non-Roman and barbarian world. ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 6 lukes account of.htm

Debate on the Proposed Invasion of Greece.
... They crossed the AEgean Sea on that occasion, invaded our territories, and at last
captured and burned the city of Sardis, the principal capital of our Western ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter iii debate on the.htm

The West Coast of Galilee-Carmel.
... Asher was extended so far also: but "Ptolemais was the sea-borders of Palestine"
(to use Pliny's words), for from hence onward were the territories of Tyre and ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 63 the west coast.htm

Territories (12 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Territories (12 Occurrences). Matthew 15:21 Then Jesus
went thence, and departed into the territories of Tyre and Sidon. (WBS). ...
/t/territories.htm - 10k

Israel (27466 Occurrences)
... In the time of Solomon the area of Palestine, excluding the Phoenician territories
on the shore of the Mediterranean, did not much exceed 13,000 square miles. ...
/i/israel.htm - 101k

Abilene (1 Occurrence)
... obscure, and nothing further is known of the tetrarch Lysanias (Ant., XIX, v, 1;
XX, ii, 1). In 37 AD the tetrarchy, along with other territories, was granted ...
/a/abilene.htm - 9k

Anem (1 Occurrence)
... the Jordan; while the 2nd part describes in detail the allotment of the country
to the several tribes with the boundaries of their territories, and concludes ...
/a/anem.htm - 101k

Terrifying (10 Occurrences)

/t/terrifying.htm - 9k

Judea (50 Occurrences)
... The province of Judea, as distinguished from Galilee and Samaria, included the
territories of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Dan, Simeon, and part of Ephraim. ...
/j/judea.htm - 22k

Levitical (19 Occurrences)
... Levi had no portion or inheritance with Israel (18:1). The explanation lies in the
fact that these cities were not a tribal portion like the territories of the ...
/l/levitical.htm - 20k

Giants (18 Occurrences)
... Canaanites. They were conquered by Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:5), and their
territories were promised as a possession to Abraham (15:20). ...
/g/giants.htm - 19k

Isles (32 Occurrences)
... (Genesis 10:5): the American Standard Revised Version "isles (margin "coast-lands")
of the nations," said of the territories of the sons of Japheth. ...
/i/isles.htm - 17k

Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences)
... the silver and gold that were found in the house of the Lord and in the royal treasury;
and Tiglath-pileser, in return, invaded the territories of Damascus and ...
/t/tiglathpileser.htm - 11k

Should Israel be building settlements in the occupied territories, i.e., the West Bank and East Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Augsburg Confession? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Judea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Territories: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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