Heleph and Other Towns - Joshua 19:33

In the book of Joshua, we learned how the territory within the promise land was being distributed to the people of Israel, and “the sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families”, and in chapter nineteen and verse thirty-three of Joshua we learn how, “their coast was from Heleph” and other cities where we read, 

And their coast was from Heleph, from Allon to Zaanannim, and Adami, Nekeb, and Jabneel, unto Lakum; and the outgoings thereof were at Jordan:

The verse reads, “And their coast was from Heleph, from Allon to Zaanannim, and Adami, Nekeb, and Jabneel, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and their coast” which means “and their, the tribe of Naphtali’s, edge, border and boundary” “was from Heleph” or “existed separate and apart from Heleph whose name means ‘exchange’ and was the place from which the boundary of Naphtali started, site unknown”, “from Allon” which means “separate and apart from Allon whose name means ‘great tree or oak’ and was “city in Naphtali” “to Zaanannim” or Zaanannim or Zaanaim whose name means “removings” and was “a place in Naphtali near Kedesh”, “and Adami” whose name means “man of Adar” and was “a pass or fortified place in Naphtali”, “Nekeb” whose name means “cavern” and was “one of the towns on the boundary of Naphtali”, “and Jabneel” whose name means “God causes to build” and was “a town in Naphtali on the boundary in upper Galilee”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Heleph, Allon, Zaanannim, Adami, Nekeb, and Jabneel” were all boundaries to the land allotted to the people of “Naphtali”. 

 

The verse continues, “… unto Lakum; and the outgoings thereof were at Jordan:” Joshua or the writer added the words, “unto Lakum” whose name means “fortification” and was “a town on the northern border of Naphtali”: “and the outgoings thereof” or “and the ends and extremities belonging to Naphtali” “were at Jordan” which means “existed at 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)”. Joshua or the writer share how “Lakum” whose extremities existed at the Jordan river and was also part of the territory given to the people of “Naphtali”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover seven “cities” that were part of the territory that was given to the people of “Naphtali”. God fulfilled His word when He gave them this land. In like manner, God will fulfill His promise to forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with 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. He made the promise, and our part is to trust in, rely upon and cling to Him as our “Savior and Lord”. Let all who read these words surrender themselves to Jesus, and watch God fulfill His promises in our lives. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Colossians 1:12; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn, “then the coast turns westward to Aznothtabor”, 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".