Which tribe's land contained the city of Jerusalem?

• A. Benjamin
• B. Judah
• C. Reuben
• D. Dan

Answer: (A)

The question tests where Jerusalem was located in the land that Israel’s tribes received. In the land distribution described in Joshua, Jerusalem sits inside the borders allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. That is why the land containing the city is considered part of Benjamin’s inheritance. Later, David would conquer Jerusalem from the Jebusites and make it the capital, which is why Jerusalem becomes central in Israel’s history, but the initial tribal allotment placed it within Benjamin’s territory. The other tribes’ lands—Reuben to the east of the Jordan, Dan to the northwest, and Judah to the south—do not include Jerusalem in their allotted areas.