Maaroth, Bethanoth and Eltekon - Joshua 15:59

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 “Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah, Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages: Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor”, and in chapter fifteen and verse fifty-nine of Joshua we learn about, “Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon” where we read,

And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages:

The verse reads, “And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Maarath" whose name means “bareness” and was “a town in the mountain region of Judah”, “and Bethanoth” whose name means “house of responses (or afflictions)” and was “a place in Judah”, “and Eltekon” whose name means “God is straight” and was “a city in the territory of Judah north of Hebron”. Joshua or the writer included “Maarath, Bethanoth and Eltekon” in the “cities” that were provided for the “tribe of Judah”. 

 

The verse continues, “six cities with their villages:” Joshua or the writer added the words, “six cities” which means “six dwelling places or places of waking” “with their villages” or “alongside and accompanying their, the six cities’, settled abodes and towns”. Joshua or the writer added “six” dwelling places and their towns to the locations given to the people of “Judah”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how “Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon” were among “six” dwelling places and their settled abodes were also given to the “tribe of Judah”. Jehovah God was providing for His people, and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we live, wherever we are, in a manner that is pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time Joshua or the writer shares about, “Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, and Rabbah”, 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".