Topical Bible: Tribe of Benjamin: Cities and Bounds of Inheritance

Bible > Topical > Tribe of Benjamin

◄ Tribe of Benjamin: Cities and Bounds of Inheritance ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history. The inheritance of Benjamin is detailed in the Book of Joshua, where the boundaries and cities allotted to the tribe are meticulously described. This entry explores the geographical and historical aspects of Benjamin's inheritance as recorded in the Scriptures.

Geographical Boundaries

The territory of Benjamin was strategically located between the larger tribes of Judah to the south and Ephraim to the north. This central position in the land of Canaan made Benjamin a key player in the history of Israel. The boundaries of Benjamin's inheritance are outlined in Joshua 18:11-20. The northern boundary began at the Jordan River, extending westward to the slopes north of Jericho, then through the hill country to Bethel. The western boundary ran southward to Lower Beth-horon and onward to Kiriath-jearim. The southern boundary stretched from Kiriath-jearim to the waters of Nephtoah, then to the Valley of Hinnom, and finally to En-rogel. The eastern boundary followed the Jordan River.

Cities of Benjamin

The cities within the territory of Benjamin are listed in Joshua 18:21-28. These cities were significant both strategically and religiously, serving as centers of administration, worship, and defense. Key cities included:

· Jericho: Known as the "City of Palms," Jericho was the first city conquered by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership (Joshua 6). It held a strategic position near the Jordan River and served as a gateway into the land of Canaan.

· Bethel: A city of great religious significance, Bethel was a site where patriarchs such as Abraham and Jacob encountered God (Genesis 12:8; 28:19). It later became a center of worship and prophecy.

· Gibeon: The Gibeonites famously made a treaty with Joshua by deception (Joshua 9). Gibeon became a Levitical city and played a role in several biblical narratives, including the battle where the sun stood still (Joshua 10:12-14).

· Mizpah: A gathering place for Israel, Mizpah was the site of significant assemblies and judgments (Judges 20:1; 1 Samuel 7:5-6).

· Ramah: Known as the hometown of the prophet Samuel, Ramah was a significant city in the history of Israel (1 Samuel 1:19-20).

· Geba: A Levitical city, Geba was strategically located and often mentioned in military contexts (1 Samuel 13:3).

· Jerusalem: Although initially a Jebusite city, Jerusalem was on the border of Benjamin and Judah. It later became the political and spiritual capital of Israel under King David.

Historical Significance

The Tribe of Benjamin played a crucial role in the history of Israel. Despite being one of the smaller tribes, Benjamin produced several notable figures, including King Saul, Israel's first king (1 Samuel 9:1-2), and the Apostle Paul, who identified himself as a Benjamite (Romans 11:1; Philippians 3:5). The tribe's central location and its cities' strategic importance contributed to its influence in the unfolding narrative of the Israelite nation.

The inheritance of Benjamin, with its well-defined boundaries and significant cities, reflects the tribe's integral role in the biblical history of Israel. The cities within its territory served as centers of worship, governance, and military strategy, underscoring the tribe's importance in the ancient Near Eastern context.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 18:11-28
And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... altar [2857] is still shewn to-day, and where the tribe of Benjamin anticipated
Romulus ... that is "the muddy river," and go through the five cities of Egypt ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

Acts IX
... He was of pure Jewish extraction, of the tribe of Benjamin, and descended from ... as
the scene of his first enterprise, rather than some of the cities of Judea ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts ix.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... of the captivity of the land."* The tribe of Dan ... of course some similar understanding
with the cities of the ... influence over the territory of Benjamin and the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... country, Ilumailu, having abandoned his patrimonial inheritance, came to ... gave his
name to the principal tribe, and possibly ... order were, as in the cities of the ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1824 to the ...
... men had a most powerful effect upon the whole tribe. ... Benjamin Drake, who was
instrumental in reviving the hopes ... to little purpose in the cities and principal ...
/.../chapter 8 from the close.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... districts, and by thus restricting each tribe to a ... them with farms and villages,
with fortresses and populous cities. ... of it kept them within bounds for years. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

English Version of the Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... asses, should light on the prophet Samuel;' but the Lord had before said to the
prophet, 'To-morrow I will send unto thee a man of the tribe of Benjamin,' etc. ...
/.../english version of the second.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... It is the inheritance of the Son of God, Jehovah Jesus, and is worthy of HIS ... In cities,
you know, are the treasures, beauty, and glory of kingdoms; and it is ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... of Assyria and its kings; their palaces are in ruins; their last faithful warriors
sleep in unhonoured graves beneath the ashes of their cities, their prowess ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... religion, but all who did so devote themselves sprang from the Magian tribe; the
Avesta ... on the tops of hills, in palaces, or in the centre of cities, on which ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm