Betharam, Bethnimarah, Succoth and Zaphon - Joshua 13:27

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Moses gave inheritance unto the tribe of Gad, even unto the children of Gad according to their families. And their coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that is before Rabbah. And from Heshbon unto Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir, and from Heshbon unto Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir”, and in chapter thirteen and verse twenty-seven of Joshua we learn how their territory included, “the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon” where we read,

And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.

The verse reads, “And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and in the valley” which means “and within the vale, lowland or open country”, “Betharam” whose name means ‘place of the height’ and was “a location in Gad”, “and Succoth” whose name means “booths” and was “the site where Jacob put up booths for his cattle and built a house for himself; apparently east of the Jordan near the ford of the torrent Jabbok and later allotted to the tribe of Gad”, “and Zaphon” whose name means “north” and was “a city in Gad east of the Sea of Galilee on the east bank of the Jordan”. Joshua or the writer shared how the territory give to the “tribe of Gad” included “Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon” which were located in the lowland area.

 

The verse goes on to say, “… the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “the rest of the kingdom” which means “the remainder and remnant pertaining to the royal rule, territory and dominion” “of Sihon” or “belonging to Sihon whose name means ‘warrior’ and was the “king of the Amorites at the time of the conquest and defeated by Moses in Transjordan” “king of Heshbon” which means “royal ruler and leader belonging to Heshbon whose name means ‘stronghold’ and was the capital city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, located on the western border of the high plain and on the border line between the tribes of Reuben and Gad”, “and Jordan” whose name means “descender” and was “the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)” “and his border” which means “and his, Jordan’s, edge, circuit and boundary”, “even unto the edge” or “indeed unto the boundary” “of the sea of Chinnereth” which means “belonging to the large body of water known as Chinnereth or Cinneroth or Chinnereth whose name means ‘harps’ and was the early name of the Sea of Galilee” “on the other side Jordan” or “across or beyond the opposite region belonging to Jordan whose name means ‘descender’ and was the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)” “eastward” which means in an eastern direction. Joshua or the writer shared how the territory given to the “tribe of Gad” also included the region occupied by “Sihon” who was the royal ruler in “Heshbon” along with the “Jordan River” to the boundary belonging to the “sea of Chennereth” which was located in an eastward direction across the “Jordan River”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover more of the area that was allotted to the “tribe of Gad”. In the lowland area, “Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon” were a portion of the inheritance, and the remainder of the royal rule, territory and dominion belonging to “Sihon” who ruled in “Heshbon” along with the “Jordan River” and it’s edge to the edge of the “Chinnereth Sea” or “Sea of Galilee” which were in an eastern direction was also given to them. God helped “Moses” and the people of “Israel” to defeat these lands and their leaders, and when they took occupation of them, the “tribe of Gad” was apportioned this area. God loves “Israel”, and He loves us. He “so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but will have everlasting life.” (See John 3:16) When we yield 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 help us to live in a manner that is not only pleasing to Him, but will also receive an everlasting inheritance from Him.

Next time we learn how, “this is the inheritance of the children of Gad”, 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".