Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of districts was integral to the organization and governance of territories, both in the context of the Israelite nation and the broader ancient Near Eastern world. Districts served as administrative divisions within larger regions, often delineated for purposes of governance, taxation, and military conscription.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament provides several references to districts, particularly in the context of the tribal allotments in the Promised Land. After the Israelites entered Canaan, the land was divided among the twelve tribes, each receiving a specific territory. These tribal territories can be seen as districts, each with its own local governance under the tribal leaders.
Joshua 13-21 details the distribution of these lands, emphasizing the importance of maintaining distinct tribal boundaries.
In
1 Kings 4, during the reign of King Solomon, the kingdom of Israel was further divided into administrative districts. Solomon appointed twelve district governors over all Israel, each responsible for providing provisions for the king and his household for one month of the year. This system not only facilitated efficient governance but also ensured a steady supply of resources to the royal court. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household. Each one made provision for one month of the year" (
1 Kings 4:7).
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of districts is less prominent but still present, particularly in the context of the Roman Empire's administrative divisions. The Roman Empire was divided into provinces, each governed by a Roman official. Within these provinces, there were smaller districts that facilitated local governance and the collection of taxes.
The Gospel of Luke mentions districts in the context of Jesus' ministry.
Luke 3:1 provides a detailed account of the political landscape during the time of John the Baptist, noting the various rulers and districts: "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene" (
Luke 3:1). This passage highlights the division of the land into distinct regions, each under the authority of different rulers.
Cultural and Theological SignificanceThe division of land into districts in biblical times reflects the need for order and governance in a growing society. It underscores the importance of leadership and the distribution of responsibilities among various leaders. Theologically, the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel symbolizes God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, providing each tribe with its inheritance.
Moreover, the administrative districts under Solomon's reign illustrate the wisdom and organizational skills attributed to him, as well as the prosperity and stability of Israel during his rule. In the New Testament, the mention of districts provides historical context, grounding the events of Jesus' life and ministry in the political realities of the time.
Overall, the concept of districts in the Bible serves as a reminder of the importance of structure and governance in achieving societal harmony and fulfilling divine purposes.
Greek
3725. horion -- a boundary... a boundary. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: horion Phonetic Spelling:
(hor'-ee-on) Short Definition:
districts, territory Definition: the
...3313. meros -- a part, share, portion
... meiromai (to receive one's portion) Definition a part, share, portion NASB Word
Usage case (2), country (1), detail (1), district (3),districts (2), group (1...
1053. Galatia -- Galatia, a district in Asia Minor or a larger...
... Spelling: (gal-at-ee'-ah) Short Definition: Galatia Definition: Galatia, a large
Roman province in central Asia Minor, comprising thedistricts of Paphlagonia...
Strong's Hebrew
1366. gebul -- border, boundary, territory... Definition border, boundary, territory NASB Word Usage area (1), barrier (1), border
(144), borders (10), boundary (13), coastline (3),
districts (1), land (1
...4334. mishor -- a level place, uprightness
... Or miyshor {mee-shore'}; from yashar; a level, ie A plain (often used (with the
article prefix) as a properly, name of certaindistricts); figuratively, concord...
Library
Of the Character of theDistricts which Anchorites Ought to Seek.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter III. Of the character of the
districts which anchorites ought to seek. And therefore by...
Districts of Heaven.
... Book IX. Chapter XXI."Districts of Heaven. "And that those who study mathematics
may not have it in their power to use that subterfuge...
Bishops must not be Appointed in Villages or CountryDistricts...
... The Canons of the Blessed and Holy Fathers Assembled at Antioch in Syria. Canon
LVII. Bishops must not be appointed in villages or countrydistricts?...
The Holy Synod Decrees that Persons in Villages andDistricts...
... The Canons of the Blessed and Holy Fathers Assembled at Antioch in Syria. Canon
X. The Holy Synod decrees that persons in villages anddistricts?...
Orphanages.
... People fled from their towns and villages, hoping to reach a more favoured region;
but travelling throughdistricts as destitute of food as those they left...
Europeans in India.
... With the exception of the hilldistricts, the intense heat during the greater part
of the year makes out-door occupation trying even to the native, and well...
The Earthquake (Preached October 11, 1863. )
... Every manufactory and mill throughout the irondistricts (where the shock
was felt most) might have toppled to the earth in a moment....
Mr. G. Borrow's Report on Past and Future Operations in Spain...
... It is well known that, after printing the New Testament at Madrid, I endeavoured
to distribute it in the principal towns, and also in the ruraldistricts....
In Palestine - Jews and Gentiles in the Land' - their Mutual...
... Syria, Zobah, Achlah, &c. To all thesedistricts the general name of Soria,
or Syria, was afterwards given. This formed, at the...
The Secondary Division or Teen Age Boys' Crusade
... This may be accomplished through two methods: (a) Census and Survey. The city
should be divided intodistricts and mapped out by squares....
Thesaurus
Districts (22 Occurrences)...Districts (22 Occurrences). Luke 4:14 Then Jesus returned in the Spirit's power
to Galilee; and His fame spread through all the adjacent
districts. (WEY).
...Pekah (11 Occurrences)
... others to Samaria. These would be countrymen and women from the outlying
districts of Judah, which were ravaged. Those taken to...
Syrians (63 Occurrences)
... 1. Division of Aram: Aram was divided into severaldistricts, comprising, in general,
the region to the East of the Jordan, but extending in the North over...
District (59 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To divide intodistricts or limited portions of territory; as,
legislatures district States for the choice of representatives....
Wanderings (7 Occurrences)
... the Numbers of Israel and Account of Tabernacle 7. Difficulty as to Number of Wagons
8. Fauna of the Desert 9. Characteristic Names of theDistricts II....
Thessalonica (8 Occurrences)
... A large and populous city on the Thermaic bay. It was the capital of one of the
four Romandistricts of Macedonia, and was ruled by a praetor....
Toparchy
... administered by a Mudir. Three suchdistricts were detached from the country
of Samaria and added to Judea. Elsewhere (1 Maccabees...
Trachonitis (1 Occurrence)
... Trachonian region" (Luke 3:1). Trachonitis signifies the land associated with the
trachon, "a rugged stony tract." There are two volcanicdistricts South and...
Bashan (54 Occurrences)
... Argob, in Bashan, was one of Solomon's commissariatdistricts (1 Kings 4:13)....
After the Exile, Bashan was divided into fourdistricts,....
Adjacent (4 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Luke 4:14 Then Jesus returned in the Spirit's power to Galilee; and
His fame spread through all the adjacentdistricts. (WEY)....
Resources
Who was Nero? | GotQuestions.orgWhere did Old Testament believers/saints go when they died? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Rehoboam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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