בֵּית חׇגְלָה (bet chog.lah)
bet chog.lah
Beth-hoglah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
Beth-hoglah means "house of the partridge" or "place of partridge." It was a small settlement located in the territory of Benjamin, positioned right on the border with Judah. The name likely reflects the local environment or wildlife, giving the town a distinct, earthy identity.
This place appears only three times in Scripture, specifically in the book of Joshua (18:21-23; 26:5). It is listed among the cities assigned to the tribe of Benjamin during the division of the Promised Land. Its brief mention helps map out the precise boundaries between these two neighboring tribes.
Though minor, Beth-hoglah illustrates how ancient Israelite towns often derived their names from local features or animals. Its location on a tribal border highlights the careful attention given to land distribution in the biblical narrative. The word itself serves as a geographic marker rather than a theological term.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Beth-hoglah means "house of the partridge," a small settlement in ancient Israel that marked the boundary between the tribes of Benjamin and Judah. Its name likely came from the local wildlife or landscape, giving this quiet corner of the land a distinct identity. Though it is not a major city, its mention in Scripture shows how carefully God’s people tracked their inheritance.
This detail reminds us that every part of God’s provision matters. The precise listing of places like Beth-hoglah in Joshua 18:21 reflects a God who cares about specifics. He did not leave the land distribution to chance but guided the boundaries with care. This attention to detail extends to our own lives, where even small moments are held within His plan.
When we read these geographic markers, we see a faithful God who keeps His promises. The land was divided among the tribes as He had said it would be. For us today, this offers comfort: the same God who mapped ancient borders is attentive to our current circumstances. We can trust that He guides our steps with the same precision.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hoglah3×
- Beth2×
- and/ Beth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חָגְלָה֮1×
- חָגְלָ֖ה1×
- חָגְלָ֔ה1×
- וּ/בֵית\־1×
- בֵּית\־1×
- בֵּ֣ית1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 18:21
Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, Beth Hoglah, Emek Keziz,
This verse lists Beth-hoglah as one of the cities assigned to Benjamin, showing its role in the tribe's inheritance.
-
Joshua 15:6
The border went up to Beth Hoglah, and passed along by the north of Beth Arabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben.
Here the word marks a specific point on the border between Judah and Benjamin, highlighting its geographic significance.
-
Joshua 18:19
The border passed along to the side of Beth Hoglah northward; and the border ended at the north bay of the Salt Sea, at the south end of the Jordan. This was the south border.
This occurrence places Beth-hoglah near the Salt Sea, helping to define the southern boundary of Benjamin's territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Beth-hoglah mean?
Which tribe did Beth-hoglah belong to?
Why is Beth-hoglah mentioned in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Joshua 3 verses
The border went up to Beth Hoglah, and passed along by the north of Beth Arabah; and the border went up to the stone of…
Joshua 18:19The border passed along to the side of Beth Hoglah northward; and the border ended at the north bay of the Salt Sea, at…
Joshua 18:21Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, Beth Hoglah, Emek…