Definition: And Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, [and] Bethshemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down that verse from Joshua 21:16. It’s a really significant and exciting part of the story of Israel’s conquest of Canaan! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse tells us that after conquering nine cities, the Israelites (and their surrounding suburbs) settled down and established nine cities – all located between Bethshemesh and Jerusalem. Let's unpack it a bit further: “And Ain with her suburbs…” – This refers to the tribes of Israel, specifically the descendants of Jacob (who was known as Israel). They were moving into new territories. “…and Juttah with her suburbs…” – This is another tribe of Israel, the descendants of Joseph. They also began settling in the area. “[and] Bethshemesh with her suburbs;” – This is a crucial point. The Israelites established a settlement near Bethshemesh. “Nine cities out of those two tribes.” – This is the really important part! The key here is that these nine cities were specifically located in the area between Bethshemesh and Jerusalem. It was a strategic placement, signifying their growing power and control over this region. Why was this significant? This event demonstrated Israel’s increasing strength and authority. Establishing nine cities shows they were gaining ground and becoming a powerful force in the region. It's a clear sign of victory and expansion after a difficult period of conquest. In short, it means that after conquering nine cities, the Israelites settled down and established a new base in the area between Bethshemesh and Jerusalem – marking a major step towards their future kingdom. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Give you some historical context about this time period?