Joshua 21:22

Authorized King James Version

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And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Beth-horon with her suburbs; four cities.

Original Language Analysis

וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 1 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
קִבְצַ֙יִם֙ And Kibzaim H6911
קִבְצַ֙יִם֙ And Kibzaim
Strong's: H6911
Word #: 2 of 11
kibtsajim, a place in palestine
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ with her suburbs H4054
מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ with her suburbs
Strong's: H4054
Word #: 4 of 11
a suburb (i.e., open country whither flocks are driven from pasture); hence, the area around a building, or the margin of the sea
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֥ית H0
בֵּ֥ית
Strong's: H0
Word #: 6 of 11
חוֹרֹ֖ן and Bethhoron H1032
חוֹרֹ֖ן and Bethhoron
Strong's: H1032
Word #: 7 of 11
beth-choron, the name of two adjoining places in palestine
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ with her suburbs H4054
מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ with her suburbs
Strong's: H4054
Word #: 9 of 11
a suburb (i.e., open country whither flocks are driven from pasture); hence, the area around a building, or the margin of the sea
עָרִ֖ים cities H5892
עָרִ֖ים cities
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 10 of 11
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אַרְבַּֽע׃ four H702
אַרְבַּֽע׃ four
Strong's: H702
Word #: 11 of 11
four

Analysis & Commentary

Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Beth-horon with her suburbs; four cities (קִבְצַיִם וּבֵית־חוֹרֹן אַרְבַּע עָרִים, Kivtzayim uVeit-Choron arba arim)—Beth-horon ("house of the hollow") consisted of Upper and Lower Beth-horon, twin fortress cities controlling the crucial Beth-horon ascent from the coastal plain to the central highlands. Joshua's greatest victory occurred here when God rained down hailstones and stopped the sun, allowing complete destruction of the Amorite coalition (Joshua 10:10-14). Five kings died at this location. That such a strategic military site became a Levitical city demonstrates the principle that Israel's true strength was spiritual, not martial.

Kibzaim appears only here; 1 Chronicles 6:68 lists Jokmeam instead, likely the same site with variant spelling. The summary four cities from Ephraim provided the non-Aaronic Kohathites with their first allocation, continuing in verses 23-26.

Historical Context

Beth-horon (Beit Ur el-Fauqa and Beit Ur et-Tahta) guarded the most important route from the coast to Jerusalem, ascending 800 feet in 2.5 miles through a narrow pass—perfect for ambush. Every invading army used this route: Joshua (Joshua 10), Philistines (1 Samuel 13:18), Egyptians (1 Kings 9:17), Seleucids fought by the Maccabees (1 Maccabees 3:13-24), and Romans under Cestius (Josephus, Wars 2.19.8). Solomon fortified both cities (1 Kings 9:17; 2 Chronicles 8:5). Its allocation to Levites meant priests controlled Israel's most strategic military corridor.

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