Joshua 15:60 - Kiriath Baal (also called Kiriath Jearim), and Rabbah; two cities with their villages.

Generated Verse: Joshua 15:60

What does "Joshua 15:60" mean?


This verse from Joshua 15:60 is part of a larger section detailing the land allotted to the tribe of Judah in the division of the Promised Land. Let's break it down:

"Kiriath Baal (also called Kiriath Jearim)": This refers to the same city, known by two different names. "Kiriath Baal" means "city of Baal" (Baal being a Canaanite deity), while "Kiriath Jearim" means "city of forests." The name change might reflect a shift from Canaanite influence to Israelite control and a change in religious practices. Notably, Kiriath Jearim is significant in biblical history because it was where the Ark of the Covenant was kept for a long period before David brought it to Jerusalem (1 Samuel 6-7).

"and Rabbah": This is another city allocated to the tribe of Judah. It is not the same Rabbah as the capital city of Ammon (modern Amman, Jordan). This was a smaller city located within Judah's territory.

"two cities with their villages": This indicates that both Kiriath Jearim (or Kiriath Baal) and Rabbah were important enough to have dependent villages surrounding them. These villages would have been economically and administratively linked to the main city, likely providing agricultural support and possibly military defense. The term "villages" highlights the hierarchical structure of settlements at the time, with larger cities serving as centers of influence for the smaller surrounding communities.

In summary, the verse is a simple statement of land allocation. It identifies two specific cities, Kiriath Jearim (or Kiriath Baal) and Rabbah, as part of the territory given to the tribe of Judah, and clarifies that each city also controlled surrounding villages. This verse contributes to the broader picture of how the Israelites divided and settled the Promised Land, and where each of the twelve tribes resided. It has some historical and archeological importance in helping understand the layout and administrative divisions of Judah during the early Israelite monarchy.

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