Joshua 21:11 - They gave them Kiriath Arba, named after the father of Anak (also called Hebron), in the hill country of Judah, with its suburbs around it.
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What does "Joshua 21:11" mean?
Joshua 21:11, "They gave them Kiriath Arba, named after the father of Anak (also called Hebron), in the hill country of Judah, with its suburbs around it," is a descriptive verse within a larger list of cities given to the Levites. Let's break down its meaning:
"They gave them..." This refers to the Israelites allocating cities to the Levites as part of their inheritance. The Levites were a priestly tribe and, unlike the other tribes, were not given a specific territory. Instead, they received cities scattered throughout the other tribes' lands, providing them with places to live and serve the people.
"Kiriath Arba..." This is the name of the city. "Kiriath" means "city" or "settlement," and "Arba" is a proper name.
"...named after the father of Anak..." This is a key detail about the city's origin. Arba was considered the father or ancestor of the Anakim, a group of people known for their great size and strength. This association adds an element of historical significance and potential fear or awe to the city. It suggests the Anakim were an early, powerful presence in the area.
"(also called Hebron)..." This indicates that Kiriath Arba and Hebron are the same place. The city was originally known as Kiriath Arba, but later came to be known as Hebron. Hebron became a significant city in Israelite history, associated with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
"...in the hill country of Judah..." This identifies the geographical location of the city. The hill country of Judah is a mountainous region in the southern part of the land of Canaan, allotted to the tribe of Judah.
"...with its suburbs around it." This indicates that the Levites were not just given the city itself but also the surrounding land, allowing them to have pastures and fields for their livestock and agriculture.
In essence, the verse tells us:
The city of Kiriath Arba (which later became known as Hebron) was given to the Levites.
The city had a historical connection to the Anakim, a group known for their imposing size.
The city was located in the hill country of Judah, a specific geographical region.
The Levites received not only the city itself but also the surrounding land (suburbs).
Significance:
Historical Context: The verse provides a glimpse into the pre-Israelite history of the region, mentioning the Anakim and their association with the city.
Geographical Detail: It pinpoints the location of Hebron, a city that would play a crucial role in the later history of Israel.
Levitical Inheritance: It illustrates how the Levites were integrated into the Israelite society, receiving cities throughout the land rather than a single territory.
Name Change: It highlights the transition from the city's earlier name, Kiriath Arba, to its more well-known name, Hebron.
The verse is a small piece of a larger narrative about the settling of the land of Canaan by the Israelites and the allocation of resources and responsibilities among the different tribes.
Joshua 21:11 - They gave them Kiriath Arba, named after the father of Anak (also called Hebron), in the hill country of Judah, with its suburbs around it.
What does "Joshua 21:11" mean?
Joshua 21:11, "They gave them Kiriath Arba, named after the father of Anak (also called Hebron), in the hill country of Judah, with its suburbs around it," is a descriptive verse within a larger list of cities given to the Levites. Let's break down its meaning:
"They gave them..." This refers to the Israelites allocating cities to the Levites as part of their inheritance. The Levites were a priestly tribe and, unlike the other tribes, were not given a specific territory. Instead, they received cities scattered throughout the other tribes' lands, providing them with places to live and serve the people.
"Kiriath Arba..." This is the name of the city. "Kiriath" means "city" or "settlement," and "Arba" is a proper name.
"...named after the father of Anak..." This is a key detail about the city's origin. Arba was considered the father or ancestor of the Anakim, a group of people known for their great size and strength. This association adds an element of historical significance and potential fear or awe to the city. It suggests the Anakim were an early, powerful presence in the area.
"(also called Hebron)..." This indicates that Kiriath Arba and Hebron are the same place. The city was originally known as Kiriath Arba, but later came to be known as Hebron. Hebron became a significant city in Israelite history, associated with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
"...in the hill country of Judah..." This identifies the geographical location of the city. The hill country of Judah is a mountainous region in the southern part of the land of Canaan, allotted to the tribe of Judah.
"...with its suburbs around it." This indicates that the Levites were not just given the city itself but also the surrounding land, allowing them to have pastures and fields for their livestock and agriculture.
In essence, the verse tells us:
The city of Kiriath Arba (which later became known as Hebron) was given to the Levites.
The city had a historical connection to the Anakim, a group known for their imposing size.
The city was located in the hill country of Judah, a specific geographical region.
The Levites received not only the city itself but also the surrounding land (suburbs).
Significance:
Historical Context: The verse provides a glimpse into the pre-Israelite history of the region, mentioning the Anakim and their association with the city.
Geographical Detail: It pinpoints the location of Hebron, a city that would play a crucial role in the later history of Israel.
Levitical Inheritance: It illustrates how the Levites were integrated into the Israelite society, receiving cities throughout the land rather than a single territory.
Name Change: It highlights the transition from the city's earlier name, Kiriath Arba, to its more well-known name, Hebron.
The verse is a small piece of a larger narrative about the settling of the land of Canaan by the Israelites and the allocation of resources and responsibilities among the different tribes.