The Word for Today with Ray

Monday, July 20, 2026

Rekem, Irpeel, and Taralah - Joshua 18:27

In the book of Joshua, we learned, ”Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz, and Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah, and Chepharhaammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages: Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth, and Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-seven of Joshua we learn about, “Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah” where we read,

And Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah,

The verse reads, “And Rekem, and Irpeel, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Rekem” whose name means “variegation” and was “a town in Benjamin; site unknown”, “and Irpeel” whose name means “God will heal” and was “a city in Benjamin; site unknown”. Joshua or the writer added “Rekem and Irpeel” to the dwelling places that were allotted to the “tribe of Benjamin”.

The verse continues, “… and Taralah, …” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and Taralah” whose name means “reeling” and was “a city in the territory of Benjamin”. Joshua or the writer included “Taralah” in the list of the names of the “cities” that were given to the people of “Benjamin”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn the names of three more places that were to be occupied by the people of “Benjamin” within the promise land. Boundary by boundary and “city by city” places to live were being allotted to the “tribe of Benjamin”. These places were to be used by their people to live, raise their families and worship God. God provided for them, and their acknowledgment of Him was a glorious thank you to what He gave. We too may be thankful to God for providing His Only Begotten Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When believe in, rely upon and cling to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to help us live in a pleasing, thankful and worshipful manner before Him. (See John 3:16: 16:13; Acts 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “and Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Mizpeh, Chephirah, and Mozah - Joshua 18:26

In the book of Joshua, we learned, ”Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz, and Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah, and Chepharhaammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages: Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-six of Joshua we learn about, “Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah” where we read,

And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,

The verse reads, “And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Mizpeh” whose name means “watchtower” and was “a city in the district of the Shephelah or lowlands of Judah”, “and Chephirah” whose name means “lioness” and was “a city of the Gibeonites subsequently assigned to the tribe of Benjamin”. Joshua or the writer included “Mizpeh and Chephirah” in the list of dwelling places allotted to the “tribe of Benjamin”.

The verse goes no to say, “… and Mozah,..” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Mozah” whose name means “fountain” and was “one of the towns in Benjamin; site unknown”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Mozah” was also added to the places of waking given to the people of “Benjamin” in the promise land.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover three more places that were allotted to the “tribe of Benjamin” within the promise land. “Mizpeh, Chephirah, and Mozah” were locations where the people of “Benjamin” would raise their families in the fear and admonition of the Lord. (See Ephesians 6:4) God gives us our place in the world to live, breathe and have an opportunity to worship Him. He gave His Only Begotten Son Jesus to be crucified for our sins and raised Him from the dead after three days, so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth so our lives will be pleasing to Him wherever we are in the world. (See Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Gibeon, Ramah, and Beeroth - Joshua 18:25

In the book of Joshua, we learned, ”Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz, and Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah, and Chepharhaammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-five of Joshua we learn about, “Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth” where we read,

Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth

The verse reads, “Gibeon, and Ramah, …” Joshua or the writer began with the word, “Gibeon” whose name means “hill city” and was “a Levitical city of Benjamin, modern ‘el-Jib’ which lies five miles or eight kilometers from Jerusalem”, “and Ramah” whose name means “hill” and was “a town in Benjamin on the border of Ephraim about five miles (8 km) from Jerusalem and near to Gibeah”. Joshua or the writer added “Gibeon and Ramah” to the dwelling places that were given to the “tribe of Benjamin”.

The verse continues, “… and Beeroth” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and Beeroth” whose name means “wells” and was “a Gibionite city allotted to Benjamin”. Joshua or the writer included “Beeroth” in the list of “cities” provided for the people of “Benjamin” within the promise land.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how there were three more locations given to the “tribe of Benjamin”. “Gibeon, Ramah, and Beeroth” became part of the places where the people of “Benjamin” would raise their families in honor of Jehovah God. God loves the people of Israel, and He loved the people in the “tribe of Benjamin”. He provided for them out of His love, and He will provide for us in love as well when we surrender to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we live wherever we are in the world in a manner that is pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16;13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Chepharhaammonai, Ophni and Gaba - Joshua 18:24

In the book of Joshua, we learned, ”Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz, and Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-four of Joshua we learn about, “Chepharhaammonai, Ophni, and Gaba” where we read,

And Chepharhaammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages:

The verse reads, “And Chepharhaammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Chepharhaammonai” whose name means “village of the Ammonites” and was “a village in Benjamin”, “and Ophni” whose name means “moldy” and was “a town in Benjamin located 2.5 miles (4.5 km) northwest of Bethel, modern Jifna”, “and Gaba” whose name means “hill” and was “a city in Benjamin, modern Jeba which stand on the top of steep terrace hill, six mile or ten kilometers northeast of Jerusalem and three miles or five kilometers from Gibeah, on the edge of the Wadi Suweinit looking northward to the opposite village of ancient Mishmash, wonder Mukhmas”. Joshua or the writer added “Chepharhaammonai, Ophni, and Gaba” to the list of “cities” that were given to the “tribe of Benjamin” within the promise land.

The verse goes on to say, “twelve cities with their villages:” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “twelve cities” which means “twelve dwelling places or places of waking” “with their villages” or “alongside and accompanied by their, the twelve cities’, courts, settled abodes and towns”. Joshua or the writer shared how there were “twelve” dwelling places accompanied by their settled abodes that were distributed to the people of “Benjamin”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn about three more locations which were part of “twelve cities” and their accompanying towns that were given to the “tribe of Benjamin” as an inheritance within the promise land. God provided for the people of “Benjamin”, and He desires to provide for us. When He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live according to that truth wherever He places us within the world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “Gibeon, Ramah, and Beeroth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah - Joshua 18:23

In the book of Joshua, we learned, ”Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-three of Joshua we learn about, “Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah” where we read,

And Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah,

The verse reads, “And Avim, and Parah, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Avim” whose name means “ruins” and was “a people among the early inhabitants of Palestine located in the southwest corner of the seacoast”, “and Parah” whose name means “heifer-town” and was “a town in Benjamin”. Joshua or the writer added “Avim and Parah” to the dwelling places that were allotted to the “tribe of Benjamin”.

The verse continues, “… and Ophrah, …” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and Ophrah” whose name means “fawn” and was “a town of Benjamin approximately five miles (8 km) east of Bethel”. Joshua or the writer added “Ophrah” to the places of wakening given to the people of “Benjamin”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn about three more of the “cities” that were assigned to the “tribe of Benjamin”. “Avim, Parah and Ophrah” were places where the people of “Benjamin” were to raise their families and worship God. God loves the people of Israel, and He provided for them. He will provide eternally for us when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we surrender our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth in this world and the eternal world to come. (See John 3:16; 14:1-6; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Psalm 24:1)

Next time we learn about, “Chepharhaammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Betharabah, and Zemaraim, and Bethel - Joshua 18:22

In the book of Joshua, we learned, ”Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-two of Joshua we learn about, “Betharabah, and Zemaraim, and Bethel” where we read,

And Betharabah, and Zemaraim, and Bethel,

The verse reads, “And Betharabah, and Zemaraim, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Betharabah” whose name means “house of the desert valley" or "place of the depression” and was “a place in Judah or in Benjamin, site unknown”, “and Zemaraim” whose name means “double fleece of wool” and was “a city in northern Benjamin near Bethel”. Joshua shared how “Betharabah and Zemaraim” were among the dwelling places given to the “tribe of Benjamin”.

The verse goes on to say, “… and Bethel, …” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Bethel” whose name means “house of God” and was “ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identified with Luz (former name)”. Joshua or the writer added “Bethel” to the places of waking which were provided to the people of “Benjamin”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn about three more of the “cities” that were given to the “tribe of Benjamin”. “Betharabah, Zemaraim, and Bethel” were added to the locations where the people of “Benjamin” would raise their families in the presence of Jehovah God. God loves the people of Israel, and as He gave these dwelling places to the people of “Benjamin”, He will give us forgiveness of sins, eternal life and His Holy Spirit when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days as “Savior and Lord”. Let all who read these words see the importance of these “three cities”, surrender themselves to Jesus and receive His eternal “city” Heaven forever and ever.

Next time learn about, “Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Cities of Benjamin - Joshua 18:21

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families” which included how “the border passed along to the side of Bethhoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan: this was the south coast. And Jordan was the border of it on the east side. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by the coasts thereof round about, according to their families”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-one of Joshua we learn about, “the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin” where we read,

Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz,

The verse reads, “Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “now the cities” or “at this time the dwelling places and places of waking” “of the tribe” which means “belonging to the clan or people group” “of the children of Benjamin” or “pertaining to the offspring and progeny belonging to Benjamin whose name means ‘son of the right hand’ and was Jacob's and Rachel's youngest son, Joseph's full brother” “according to their families” which means “in keeping with their, the tribe of Benjamin’s, kindred, kinsmen and relatives” “were Jericho” or “existed as Jericho whose name means ‘its moon’ and was a city five miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and seven miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan”. Joshua or the writer began to share the names of the dwelling places that were given to the “tribe of the children of Benjamin” and their relatives beginning with “Jericho”.

The verse continues, “… and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz,” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and Bethhoglan” whose name means ‘house of the partridge" or "place of partridge’ and was a place in Benjamin on the border with Judah”, “and the valley” or “and the vale, lowland and open country” “of Keziz” which means “belonging to Keziz whose name means ‘cut off’ and was a town on Benjamin and the eastern border of the tribe”. Joshua or the writer added “Bethhoglah” and “the valley of Keziz” to the dwelling places provided to the “tribe of Benjamin”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we begin to learn the names of the dwelling places given to the “tribe of Benjamin”. “Jericho, Bethhoglah and the valley of Keziz” began this list, and each of these places were provided so the people of “Benjamin” could raise their families and live in worship to Almighty God. God wants everyone to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to live according to that truth in a manner that is pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time learn about, “Betharabah, and Zemaraim, and Bethel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…