Joshua 18:26
Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,
Mizpeh
The word "Mizpeh" comes from the Hebrew root "מצפה" (Mitzpeh), meaning "watchtower" or "lookout." This term is often used in the Bible to denote a place of vigilance and spiritual watchfulness. Mizpeh was a significant location in Israel's history, serving as a gathering place for the tribes and a site of covenant renewal. It symbolizes a place where God's people are called to be alert and attentive to His guidance. In a spiritual sense, Mizpeh reminds believers of the importance of being watchful in prayer and steadfast in faith, always ready to respond to God's call.

Chephirah
"Chephirah" is derived from the Hebrew "כפירה" (Kefirah), which means "village" or "young lioness." This city was one of the Gibeonite towns that made a treaty with Joshua, as recorded earlier in the book of Joshua. The Gibeonites' cunning approach to securing a covenant with Israel highlights themes of wisdom and discernment. Chephirah serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual discernment and the importance of seeking God's wisdom in all our dealings. It also reflects the grace of God in allowing those outside the covenant community to find a place within His people through faith and humility.

Mozah
"Mozah" is a lesser-known location, and its name is thought to mean "fountain" or "spring" in Hebrew. The presence of a spring or fountain suggests a place of refreshment and sustenance, essential for life in the arid regions of ancient Israel. Mozah can be seen as a metaphor for the living water that Christ offers to all who believe in Him, as described in the New Testament. It symbolizes the spiritual nourishment and renewal that comes from a relationship with God. In the broader narrative of Scripture, Mozah encourages believers to seek the life-giving presence of God, who refreshes and sustains His people through His Spirit.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Mizpeh
A location often associated with watchtowers or places of gathering. In the context of Joshua, it is one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. Mizpeh is significant in various biblical accounts as a place of assembly and covenant-making.

2. Chephirah
Another city within the territory of Benjamin. It was one of the cities that made a treaty with Israel through deception, as recorded earlier in Joshua 9.

3. Mozah
A lesser-known city in the territory of Benjamin. Its mention here is primarily for the purpose of delineating the boundaries and cities within the tribal allotment.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Community and Assembly
Mizpeh's role as a gathering place reminds us of the importance of coming together as a community of believers for worship, decision-making, and covenant renewal.

Seeking God's Guidance
The account of Chephirah and the Gibeonites underscores the necessity of seeking God's wisdom and discernment in our interactions and decisions.

Understanding Our Inheritance
Just as the cities were allotted to the tribe of Benjamin, believers today have a spiritual inheritance in Christ. Understanding and embracing this inheritance is crucial for living out our faith.

The Role of Lesser-Known Places
Mozah, though not prominent, is part of God's plan. This teaches us that every part of the body of Christ, no matter how seemingly insignificant, has a role and purpose.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of Mizpeh as a gathering place for Israel inform our understanding of the importance of church gatherings today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are seeking God's guidance in our decisions, as highlighted by the account of Chephirah and the Gibeonites?

3. How can we better understand and embrace our spiritual inheritance in Christ, similar to the tribal allotments in Joshua?

4. What lessons can we learn from the inclusion of lesser-known places like Mozah in God's plan, and how can this encourage us in our own roles within the church?

5. How do the events and places mentioned in Joshua 18:26 connect with the broader account of God's faithfulness to His promises throughout Scripture?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joshua 9
The Gibeonite deception, which includes the city of Chephirah, highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance in decision-making.

Judges 20
Mizpeh is a gathering place for the tribes of Israel, showing its continued significance as a site for assembly and decision-making.

1 Samuel 7
Mizpeh is a place where Samuel calls Israel to repentance and renewal of their covenant with God, emphasizing its role as a spiritual center.
Joshua's RemonstranceR. P. Buddicom, M. A.Joshua 18:1-28
Religion in the New LandW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 18:1-28
Slack to PossessW. Seaton.Joshua 18:1-28
People
Addar, Ben, Benjamin, Bohan, Ephron, Gad, Gibeon, Hoglah, Israelites, Joseph, Joshua, Levites, Manasseh, Ophrah, Rekem, Reuben
Places
Adummim, Arabah, Ataroth-addar, Avvim, Beeroth, Beth-arabah, Beth-aven, Bethel, Beth-hoglah, Beth-horon, Emek-keziz, En-rogel, En-shemesh, Ephron, Geba, Geliloth, Gibeah, Gibeon, Haeleph, Irpeel, Jebus, Jericho, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kiriath-baal, Kiriath-jearim, Luz, Mizpeh, Mozah, Nephtoah, Ophni, Ophrah, Parah, Ramah, Rekem, Salt Sea, Shiloh, Taralah, Valley of Hinnom, Valley of Rephaim, Zela, Zemaraim
Topics
Chephirah, Chephi'rah, Kephirah, Mizpeh, Mozah
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 18:11-28

     5235   boundary

Library
The Northern Coast of Judea. Beth-Horon.
This coast is marked out Joshua 18:12; where, at verse 14, are very many versions to be corrected, which render the sea; such are, the Syriac, the Seventy, the Vulgar, the Italian, ours, &c.: whence ariseth a sense of insuperable difficulty to a chorographical eye: when it should, indeed, be rendered of the west, as the Chaldee, Arabic, R. Solomon, &c. rightly do. We read of a double Beth-horon in the Old Testament, but one only under the second Temple... At that place that great Canaanitish army
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land,
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Retiring Before the Sanhedrin's Decree.
(Jerusalem and Ephraim in Judæa.) ^D John XI. 47-54. ^d 47 The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council [called a meeting of the Sanhedrin], and said, What do we? [Thus they reproach one another for having done nothing in a present and urgent crisis. As two of their number (Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathæa) were afterwards in communications with Christians, it was easy for the disciples to find out what occurred on this notable occasion.] for this man doeth many signs.
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Bethlehem Children.
(Bethlehem and Road Thence to Egypt, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 13-18. ^a 13 Now when they were departed [The text favors the idea that the arrival and departure of the magi and the departure of Joseph for Egypt, all occurred in one night. If so, the people of Bethlehem knew nothing of these matters], behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise [this command calls for immediate departure] and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt [This land was ever the
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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