Definition: And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Joshua 21:17. Itās a really important part of the story of how God made the Promised Land for Israel. Hereās what it means in simple terms: āAnd out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbsā This describes a significant move by God to establish a new settlement for his people. Let's unpack each part: āOut of the tribe of Benjaminā¦ā : This means weāre talking about a specific group of Israelites ā the Benjamites. They were a large and influential tribe within Israel. Itās important to understand that āBenjaminā was a bit of a tricky name, and it's debated by scholars whether it refers to a real place or a symbolic representation of a future nation. āGibeon with her suburbsā¦ā : Gibeon is a location in southwestern Israel (near the Dead Sea). "Suburbs" means surrounding areas. So, this refers to a new settlement around Gibeon. Itās a place where they would build their homes and establish a community. āGeba with her suburbsā¦ā : Geba is another location in southwestern Israel, also near the Dead Sea. Like Gibeon, it's a strategic area for establishing a new settlement. āSuburbsā again means surrounding areas. So, putting it all together: God decided to move his people out of the Benjamite tribe and into a new location ā specifically around Gibeon and Geba. This was a deliberate act to show Godās care for his people and to give them a secure place to live. It's essentially a sign that he wants to establish a long-lasting community for Israel. Why is this important? This verse is a key part of the narrative leading up to the conquest of Canaan (the land) by Joshua. It shows Godās plan for establishing a thriving and secure nation for his people, and it's a foundational moment in the history of Israel. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this event in more detail? Answer any specific questions you have about this passage?