“And Beth-lehem and Beth-palet,”
Joshua 19:6 (KJV) is a part of the description of the territory allotted to the tribe of Naphtali during the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. In this verse, two cities are mentioned: Beth-lehem and Beth-palet.
Context: The book of Joshua records the conquest of the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua after the Israelites crossed the Jordan River. Following the victories and the division of land among the tribes, Joshua 19 provides details of the inheritance of the tribe of Naphtali.
Beth-lehem: The name “Beth-lehem” means “house of bread” in Hebrew. It is not to be confused with the more well-known Bethlehem associated with the birth of Jesus. This Beth-lehem mentioned in Joshua 19:6 was located in the territory of Naphtali, in the northern part of Israel.
Beth-palet: The name “Beth-palet” means “house of escape” or “place of deliverance.” The exact location of Beth-palet is uncertain, as it is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. Its significance lies in being one of the cities allocated to the tribe of Naphtali.
Tribe of Naphtali: Naphtali was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from one of Jacob’s sons. Their territory was situated in the northern part of the Promised Land, bordering the territories of Asher and Zebulun. The land given to Naphtali was fertile and included important cities like Kedesh, Hazor, and the two mentioned in Joshua 19:6.
Significance: Joshua 19:6 serves as a record of the distribution of the land among the tribes of Israel. It highlights the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promise to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham. Each tribe received its portion, ensuring that all the tribes had their designated inheritance.
Overall, Joshua 19:6 provides historical context and helps us understand the allocation of land to the tribe of Naphtali during the time of Joshua. It reminds us of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people and the importance of acknowledging the significance of each tribe’s inheritance.
