Joshua 18:28
And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem, Gibeath, and Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.
Original Language Analysis
הִ֤יא
H1931
הִ֤יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 16
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
which is Jerusalem
H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
which is Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
5 of 16
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
קִרְיַ֔ת
and Kirjath
H7157
קִרְיַ֔ת
and Kirjath
Strong's:
H7157
Word #:
7 of 16
kirjath-jearim or kirjath-arim, a place in palestine
עָרִ֥ים
cities
H5892
עָרִ֥ים
cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
8 of 16
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה
H6240
עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
10 of 16
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
וְחַצְרֵיהֶ֑ן
with their villages
H2691
וְחַצְרֵיהֶ֑ן
with their villages
Strong's:
H2691
Word #:
11 of 16
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
נַֽחֲלַ֥ת
This is the inheritance
H5159
נַֽחֲלַ֥ת
This is the inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
13 of 16
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
14 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
2 Samuel 21:14And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.Joshua 15:8And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward:
Historical Context
Jerusalem remained Jebusite-controlled until approximately 1000 BC when David captured it and made it Israel's capital. Gibeah (Saul's hometown) has been identified with Tell el-Ful, excavated by archaeologist William Albright. The Jebusite fortress's strength intimidated Israel for centuries.
Questions for Reflection
- What unfulfilled promises has God given you to claim by faith before seeing fulfillment?
- How does Benjamin's inheritance of unconquered Jerusalem encourage patience with God's timing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem—The list climaxes with Jerusalem. Jebusi identifies its pre-conquest inhabitants (the Jebusites). Though assigned to Benjamin, the city wasn't fully conquered until David (2 Samuel 5:6-9). Gibeath (Gibeah) was Saul's capital. Kirjath (possibly Kirjath-jearim). Fourteen cities with their villages completes Benjamin's city list.
Jerusalem's inclusion, though unconquered, shows faith claiming God's promises before fulfillment. Benjamin's inheritance included the future eternal capital, though they didn't yet possess it. Believers likewise inherit promises not yet fully realized (Hebrews 11:13, 39-40).