This verse lists three cities—Kedesh, Edrei, and En-hazor—which symbolize the breadth of Naphtali’s God-given territory.
In this passage, we see that the territory given to the tribe of Naphtali includes three distinct cities: “Kedesh and Edrei and En-hazor” (v.37). The location of Kedesh is especially significant, as it served as one of Israel’s cities of refuge (Joshua 20:7), designated as a safe haven for those involved in accidental killings. Historically, Kedesh is thought to lie in Upper Galilee, north of the Sea of Galilee, an area later associated with much of Jesus’s public ministry (Matthew 4:13-15). During the time of Joshua, which scholars often date to the 14th century B.C., the allotment of land to the various Israelite tribes underscored God’s fulfillment of the promise to Abraham and his descendants.
The second city in this verse is Edrei, “and Edrei” (v.37). This Edrei is distinct from the Edrei mentioned elsewhere, which was located east of the Jordan River in Bashan (Deuteronomy 3:1). This particular Edrei in Naphtali’s territory would have been within the hilly regions of Galilee. While there is not as much recorded about the specific role of this city, its inclusion illustrates the completeness of Naphtali’s boundaries and the significance of every location—no matter how small—in God’s plan for His people. Each name on this list served as a marker of their tribal inheritance and a reminder of the covenant made by the Lord.
Lastly, the verse includes En-hazor, “and En-hazor” (v.37). En-hazor was likely near the prominent city of Hazor, which had been conquered earlier by Joshua (Joshua 11:1-13). Hazor held strategic importance in the region, known for its strong fortifications and its prominence in Canaanite culture before Israel’s conquest. Placing En-hazor in close proximity highlighted Naphtali’s inheritance near a once major seat of Canaanite power, now under the sovereignty of the God of Israel. This expanding domain would later tie into the grand story of Israel’s monarchy and the messianic prophecies fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who ministered in the broader area historically inhabited by the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali (Matthew 4:13-16).
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Joshua 19:37 meaning
In this passage, we see that the territory given to the tribe of Naphtali includes three distinct cities: “Kedesh and Edrei and En-hazor” (v.37). The location of Kedesh is especially significant, as it served as one of Israel’s cities of refuge (Joshua 20:7), designated as a safe haven for those involved in accidental killings. Historically, Kedesh is thought to lie in Upper Galilee, north of the Sea of Galilee, an area later associated with much of Jesus’s public ministry (Matthew 4:13-15). During the time of Joshua, which scholars often date to the 14th century B.C., the allotment of land to the various Israelite tribes underscored God’s fulfillment of the promise to Abraham and his descendants.
The second city in this verse is Edrei, “and Edrei” (v.37). This Edrei is distinct from the Edrei mentioned elsewhere, which was located east of the Jordan River in Bashan (Deuteronomy 3:1). This particular Edrei in Naphtali’s territory would have been within the hilly regions of Galilee. While there is not as much recorded about the specific role of this city, its inclusion illustrates the completeness of Naphtali’s boundaries and the significance of every location—no matter how small—in God’s plan for His people. Each name on this list served as a marker of their tribal inheritance and a reminder of the covenant made by the Lord.
Lastly, the verse includes En-hazor, “and En-hazor” (v.37). En-hazor was likely near the prominent city of Hazor, which had been conquered earlier by Joshua (Joshua 11:1-13). Hazor held strategic importance in the region, known for its strong fortifications and its prominence in Canaanite culture before Israel’s conquest. Placing En-hazor in close proximity highlighted Naphtali’s inheritance near a once major seat of Canaanite power, now under the sovereignty of the God of Israel. This expanding domain would later tie into the grand story of Israel’s monarchy and the messianic prophecies fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who ministered in the broader area historically inhabited by the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali (Matthew 4:13-16).