Joshua 18:26
New International Version
Mizpah, Kephirah, Mozah,

New Living Translation
Mizpah, Kephirah, Mozah,

English Standard Version
Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,

Berean Standard Bible
Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,

Berean Literal Bible
and Mizpah, and Chephirah, and Mozah,

King James Bible
And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,

New King James Version
Mizpah, Chephirah, Mozah,

New American Standard Bible
Mizpeh, Chephirah, and Mozah,

NASB 1995
and Mizpeh and Chephirah and Mozah,

NASB 1977
and Mizpeh and Chephirah and Mozah,

Legacy Standard Bible
and Mizpeh and Chephirah and Mozah,

Amplified Bible
and Mizpeh and Chephirah and Mozah,

Berean Annotated Bible
Mizpeh (watchtower), Chephirah (lioness), Mozah (fountain),

Christian Standard Bible
Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,

American Standard Version
and Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,

English Revised Version
and Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,

Good News Translation
Mizpah, Chephirah, Mozah,

International Standard Version
Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,

NET Bible
Mizpah, Kephirah, Mozah,

New Heart English Bible
and Mizpeh, and Kephirah, and Mozah,

Webster's Bible Translation
And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,

World English Bible
Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,

Berean Literal Bible
and Mizpah, and Chephirah, and Mozah,

Young's Literal Translation
and Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Mizpeh and Chephirah, and Mozah,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
26And Mesphe, and Caphara, and Amosa,

Catholic Public Domain Version
and Mizpeh and Chephirah and Mozah,

New American Bible
Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,

New Revised Standard Version
Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Mizpah, Chepirah, Mozah,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Matspaya and Kaphira and Metsa
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and Massema, and Miron, and Amoke;

Additional Translations ...



Context
Benjamin's Inheritance
25Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth, 26Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah, 27Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah,…

Cross References
Mizpeh,

1 Samuel 7:5-6
Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD on your behalf.” / When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.

Judges 20:1
Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the congregation assembled as one man before the LORD at Mizpah.

1 Samuel 10:17
After this, Samuel summoned the people to the LORD at Mizpah
Chephirah,

Joshua 9:17
So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

Ezra 2:25
the men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743;

Nehemiah 7:29
the men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743;
Mozah,

1 Chronicles 8:36
Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri, and Zimri was the father of Moza.

1 Chronicles 9:42
Ahaz was the father of Jarah; Jarah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri was the father of Moza.

1 Chronicles 9:43
Moza was the father of Binea. Rephaiah was his son, Elasah his son, and Azel his son.
Joshua 15:33-36
These were in the foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, / Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam, / Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah, …

1 Chronicles 6:78
From the tribe of Reuben east of the Jordan opposite Jericho they were given Bezer in the wilderness, Jahzah,

Nehemiah 11:25-30
As for the villages with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba, Dibon, Jekabzeel, and their villages; / in Jeshua, Moladah, and Beth-pelet; / in Hazar-shual; in Beersheba and its villages; …

Judges 1:9
Afterward, the men of Judah marched down to fight against the Canaanites living in the hill country, in the Negev, and in the foothills.

1 Samuel 17:1
Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim.

2 Samuel 5:18-22
Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. / So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” / So David went to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, “Like a bursting flood, the LORD has burst out against my enemies before me.” So he called that place Baal-perazim. …

1 Chronicles 11:15-19
Three of the thirty chief men went down to David, to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. / At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was at Bethlehem. / David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” …


Treasury of Scripture

And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,

Judges 10:17
Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.

Chephirah

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.

Ezra 2:25
The children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.

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Chephirah Chephi'rah Kephirah Mizpah Mizpeh
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Joshua 18
1. The tabernacle is set up at Shiloh
2. The remainder of the land is described, and divided into seven parts
10. Joshua distributes it by lot
11. The lot and border of Benjamin
21. Their cities












Mizpeh,

Mizpeh, meaning “watchtower” or “lookout,” was a Benjaminite town that became an important national gathering place. Israel assembled there during the crisis following the outrage at Gibeah, and Samuel later called the nation there to confess sin and seek the Lord’s help. Its elevated setting made it suitable for public assembly and defense.

1Sa 7:5-6 Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah”…
Jdg 20:1 Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba…
1Sa 10:17 After this, Samuel summoned the people to the LORD at Mizpah

Chephirah,

Chephirah was one of the Hivite cities joined with Gibeon, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. Its inhabitants secured a treaty with Israel through deception, yet Israel honored the oath made in the Lord’s name. The city later stood within Benjamin’s allotted territory.

Jos 9:17 So the Israelites set out and on the third day…
Ezr 2:25 the men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743;
Neh 7:29 the men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743;

Mozah,

Mozah was a town in Benjamin’s inheritance, though little else is recorded concerning it. Its inclusion reflects the careful division of the land among Israel’s tribes and the fulfillment of God’s promise to give them the land of Canaan.

1Ch 8:36 Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah…
1Ch 9:42 Ahaz was the father of Jarah; Jarah was the father…
1Ch 9:43 Moza was the father of Binea. Rephaiah was his son.…

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 and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Joshua 18:26?

2. How does Joshua 18:26 illustrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises?

3. What can we learn about God's plan from the cities listed in Joshua 18:26?

4. How does Joshua 18:26 connect to God's covenant with Israel in Genesis 15?

5. How can we apply the division of land in Joshua 18:26 to our lives?

6. What does the allocation of land in Joshua 18:26 teach about God's order?

7. What is the significance of the cities listed in Joshua 18:26 for Israel's history?

8. How does Joshua 18:26 reflect God's promise to the Israelites?

9. What archaeological evidence supports the existence of the cities in Joshua 18:26?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 18?


Verse 26. - Ramah. Now er-Ram. This would seem, from Jeremiah 31:15, and from a comparison of Jeremiah 1:1 and Jeremiah 40:1, to have been the Ramah of later history, famous as the dwelling place of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1, etc., for Mount Ephraim is applied to territory in Benjamin. Cf. Judges 4:5; 2 Samuel 20:1, 21). It was near Gibeah (Judges 19:13; Isaiah 10:29), and not far from Bethel (Judges 4:5). It was rebuilt by Baasha (1 Kings 15:17, 21). Mizpeh. This is the Mizpeh, or Mizpah, of Benjamin, whither the tribes were wont to gather together, and where the tabernacle appears to have been removed (see Judges 20:1, 3; Judges 21:1-8). If, as Lieut. Conder supposes, Nob and Mizpeh were identical, and were near Jerusalem, this would explain the presence of the tribes within the border of Benjamin on this occasion. They were near the border; and the Benjamites had retired to their mountain fastnesses. This seems almost implied in Judges 20:3. Similar gatherings are recorded in the Book of Samuel (1 Samuel 7:5-7, 11, 12, 16; 1 Samuel 10:17). Mizpeh was the seat of Gedaliah's administration, and of the tragedy of his assassination (2 Kings 25:23-25; Jeremiah 40:10-13; Jeremiah 41.).

Joshua 18:26 is more than a trio of hard-to-pronounce towns; it is a concrete, literal slice of Benjamin’s inheritance that showcases three truths: God plants strategic places for His people (Mizpeh), He honors covenant mercy even with outsiders (Chephirah), and He values the hidden and the small (Mozah). Together they assure us that every promise in Scripture, down to the smallest boundary marker, is reliable and filled with purpose.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Mizpeh,
וְהַמִּצְפֶּ֥ה (wə·ham·miṣ·peh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4708: Mizpah -- the name of several places in Israel

Chephirah,
וְהַכְּפִירָ֖ה (wə·hak·kə·p̄î·rāh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3716: A city in Benjamin

Mozah,
וְהַמֹּצָֽה׃ (wə·ham·mō·ṣāh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4681: Mozah -- a place in Benjamin


Additonal Resources
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OT History: Joshua 18:26 Mizpeh Chephirah Mozah (Josh. Jos)

Joshua 18:25
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