Zelah, Haeleph, Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah, Kiriath—fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the people of Benjamin according to their families — The list concludes with Jerusalem (Jebus), the eventual capital of David's kingdom, placed among Benjamin's inheritance. This placement carries profound theological irony: the city that will become the center of Judah's kingship is assigned to Benjamin at the conquest's distribution. The 'fourteen cities' (arba'-asreh 'arim) suggests double completion (2 x 7); Benjamin's inheritance is fully, doubly blessed. The formula 'according to their families' reiterates the covenantal basis of allotment, binding tribe, family, and land in an indissoluble bond.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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