Humtah, Kirjatharba and Zior - Joshua 15:54

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families” which included among others “Ashdod with her towns and her villages, Gaza with her towns and her villages, unto the river of Egypt, and the great sea, and the border thereof. And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh, And Dannah, and Kirjathsannah, which is Debir, and Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages: Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean, and Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah”, and in chapter fifteen and verse fifty-four of Joshua we learn about, “Humtah, Kirjatharba, which is Hebron and Zior” where we read,

And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages:

The verse reads, “And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, and Zior;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Humtah" whose name means “place of the lizards” and was “a town in the mountainous region of Judah, the one next to Hebron”, “and Kirjatharba” whose name means “place of Arba” and was “a place in Palestine and the early name of the city which after the conquest was called ‘Hebron’”, “which is Hebron” or “that exists as Hebron whose name means “association” and was “a city in south Judah approximately twenty miles south of Jerusalem and approximately twenty miles (30 km) north of Beersheba and near where Abraham built an altar”, “and Zior” whose name means “smallness” and was “a town in the mountains of Judah belonging to the same group as Hebron”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Humtah, Kirjatharba - which is Hebron and Zior” were included in the “cities” that were assigned to the people of “Judah”. 

 

The verse continues, “nine cities with their villages:” Joshua or the writer added the words, “nine cities” which means “nine dwelling places or places of waking” “with their villages” or “alongside and accompanied by their, the nine cities’, settled abodes and towns”. Joshua or the writer said there were “nine” dwelling places accompanied by their settled abodes that were given to the “tribe of Judah”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how “Humtah, Kirjatharba which is Hebron and Zior” were included in the “cities” that were allotted to the “tribe of Judah” within the promise land. Each of these places were provided by Jehovah God, and even as He supplied what the people of “Judah” needed, so will He provide for our needs. (See Philippians 4:19) God loves us, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised 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 equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him and enjoys whatever allotment He assigns to us. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8: Colossians 1:12)

Next time Joshua or the writer shares about, “Maon, Carmel, Ziph and Juttah”, 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".