And Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah,

JOSHUA 18:23KJV
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Joshua 18:23 (KJV)

What does Joshua 18:23 mean?

Joshua 18:23 lists three towns—Avim, Parah, and Ophrah—as part of the territory assigned to the tribe of Benjamin during the division of the land among the tribes of Israel. This verse is part of a detailed record of the boundaries and towns that made up Benjamin’s inheritance.

In the book of Joshua, Joshua is overseeing the distribution of the Promised Land to the Israelite tribes after their conquest of Canaan. This verse is one line in a longer list, giving the names of specific towns within Benjamin’s portion. The careful listing of these towns shows the importance of land and inheritance in Israel’s history and identity.

Where else these words appear

“Avim” Hebrew H5761 · used in 3 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:23 And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)
  • Joshua 13:3 From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:

“Ophrah” Hebrew H6084 · used in 8 verses

  • Judges 6:11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
  • Judges 8:27 And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.
  • Judges 9:5 And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.