And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem, Gibeath, and Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.

JOSHUA 18:28KJV
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Joshua 18:28 (KJV)

What does Joshua 18:28 mean?

Joshua 18:28 lists several towns—Zelah, Eleph, Jebusi (which is Jerusalem), Gibeath, and Kirjath—along with their surrounding villages, and states that these fourteen cities made up the inheritance given to the tribe of Benjamin according to their family groups. This verse marks the conclusion of the description of Benjamin’s allotted territory among the tribes of Israel.

Joshua is narrating the division of the land of Canaan among the Israelite tribes after their conquest. Here, the focus is on the tribe of Benjamin, specifying the cities and villages that formed their share. The mention of Jebusi, identified as Jerusalem, is significant because Jerusalem would later become a central city in Israel’s history.

Why Joshua 18:28 matters

  • Joshua 18:28 clarifies that Jerusalem, called Jebusi at this time, was originally part of Benjamin’s territory, which helps explain later historical events involving this city.
  • The verse emphasizes the careful and organized way the land was divided among the tribes, showing the importance of family and tribal identity in ancient Israel.
  • This verse connects to the larger passage by wrapping up the detailed list of Benjamin’s cities, highlighting the completeness and fairness of the land distribution process.

Where else these words appear

“Zelah” Hebrew H6762 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Samuel 21:14 And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.

“Kirjath” Hebrew H7157 · used in 19 verses

  • Joshua 9:17 And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.
  • 1 Samuel 6:21 And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, and fetch it up to you.
  • 1 Chronicles 13:5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.

“Jebusi” Hebrew H2983 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Joshua 9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
  • 2 Samuel 24:18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.