Joshua 12 3

Joshua 12:3 kjv

And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea on the east, the way to Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah:

Joshua 12:3 nkjv

and the eastern Jordan plain from the Sea of Chinneroth as far as the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea), the road to Beth Jeshimoth, and southward below the slopes of Pisgah.

Joshua 12:3 niv

He also ruled over the eastern Arabah from the Sea of Galilee to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea), to Beth Jeshimoth, and then southward below the slopes of Pisgah.

Joshua 12:3 esv

and the Arabah to the Sea of Chinneroth eastward, and in the direction of Beth-jeshimoth, to the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, southward to the foot of the slopes of Pisgah;

Joshua 12:3 nlt

Sihon also controlled the Jordan Valley and regions to the east ? from as far north as the Sea of Galilee to as far south as the Dead Sea, including the road to Beth-jeshimoth and southward to the slopes of Pisgah.

Joshua 12 verses

Joshua 12 3 Meaning

Joshua 12:3 meticulously delineates the boundaries of Sihon's conquered Amorite kingdom east of the Jordan River, which became part of Israel's inheritance. It specifies its northern reach to the Sea of Chinnereth (Sea of Galilee), extending eastward from the Arabah (Jordan Rift Valley), and its southern extent along the Arabah to the Salt Sea (Dead Sea), near the route to Beth-jeshimoth, and finally describing its limit below the eastern slopes of Mount Pisgah. This precise geographical description affirms God's faithfulness in delivering specific territories into Israel's hands.

Joshua 12 3 Context

Joshua 12 functions as a concluding summary of the conquest narratives. It specifically lists the kings defeated by Moses east of the Jordan River (vv. 1-6) and those conquered by Joshua west of the Jordan (vv. 7-24). Verse 3, therefore, falls within the initial segment detailing the victories of Moses, particularly over Sihon, king of the Amorites. This verse establishes the geographical precision and scope of the land Israel possessed before even entering Canaan proper, emphasizing the systematic and complete nature of God's fulfillment of His promises. Historically, such detailed geographical descriptions were vital for defining political boundaries in the ancient Near East, solidifying claims to newly acquired territories. The act of documenting these victories served as a record of divine faithfulness and military success, providing clear parameters for the inheritance of the Israelite tribes.

Joshua 12 3 Word analysis

• Arabah (הָעֲרָבָה, ha’aravah): Meaning "the arid plain" or "the wilderness." This term refers to the Jordan Rift Valley, a deep geological depression stretching from the Sea of Chinnereth in the north down to the Gulf of Aqaba in the south. Its mention signifies a major longitudinal boundary marker, emphasizing the depth and distinctness of the eastern frontier of Israelite territory.
• Sea of Chinnereth (יָם כִּנְּרוֹת, yam kinn'rot): Meaning "Sea of Harps" or "Lyre Lake," possibly due to its shape. This is the biblical name for what is commonly known as the Sea of Galilee, Lake Gennesaret, or Lake Tiberias. It served as a vital northern boundary point for Sihon's territory in the transjordan, indicating the northern extent of the conquered Amorite kingdom and connecting it geographically to Israel's future tribal allotments in Galilee.
• eastward (הַקַּדְמוֹנִי, haqqadmoni / מִמִּזְרָח, mimmizrach): The first occurrence of "eastward" (haqqadmoni) means "eastern" or "ancient/prior." The final "eastward" (mimmizrach) means "from the east." These terms emphasize the orientation of the described boundaries relative to the primary flow of the Jordan River. It pinpoints the exact eastern frontier, ensuring clarity for land allocation.
• Sea of the Arabah (יַם הָעֲרָבָה, yam ha’aravah): This specifically designates the Salt Sea (Dead Sea) as integral to the Arabah valley system. It clarifies the southern extension of Sihon's realm along the major geographical feature.
• Salt Sea (יָם הַמֶּלַח, yam hammelakh): Meaning "Sea of Salt." This is the Dead Sea, renowned for its extremely high salinity. It serves as an unmissable, enduring landmark for delineating the eastern boundary, providing a natural and unequivocal demarcation point. Its biblical role is consistently that of a border.
• way to Beth-jeshimoth (דֶּרֶךְ בֵּית הַיְשִׁימוֹת, derekh beith hayeshmot): Meaning "road to the house of desolations." Beth-jeshimoth was an important city on the plains of Moab, east of the Dead Sea. Its mention defines a specific logistical and territorial point along the southern part of Sihon's eastern border, indicating a path or access point relevant to the boundary.
• southward below the slopes of Pisgah (וּמִתַּחַת לְאַשְׁדּוֹת הַפִּסְגָּה מִמִּזְרָח, u-mittachat l'ashdot ha-pisgah mimmizrach): southward: While the Hebrew here ends with mimmizrach ("eastward"), translations often render this phrase as "southward" or indicate a southern trajectory. This is due to the geographical reality: the boundary extends below the eastern slopes of Pisgah. Pisgah itself is a mountain in the Moabite mountain range, prominently situated south and east of the general Jordan plains in this region. Thus, describing the border "below the eastern slopes" effectively defines the southern extent along that eastern line of mountains, even if the last word explicitly specifies an eastward aspect of this segment of the boundary. It clarifies that the territory does not ascend Pisgah but runs along its base towards the east and implicitly to the south. slopes of Pisgah (אַשְׁדּוֹת הַפִּסְגָּה, ashdot hapisgah): Refers to the "watercourses" or "ravines/terraces" descending from Mount Pisgah, a notable peak within the Abarim mountain range, associated with Mount Nebo. It is famous as the point from which Moses viewed the Promised Land. As a boundary marker, it sets the extreme eastern/southeastern limit of Sihon's kingdom.

• "from the Arabah to the Sea of Chinnereth eastward": This phrase precisely defines the northern stretch of Sihon's territory within the Jordan Rift Valley, extending from the valley floor itself up to the Sea of Galilee and specifying its orientation eastward relative to the main valley axis.
• "and to the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, eastward": This expands the geographical description southward along the Arabah valley, marking the Dead Sea as a clear, unmissable southern boundary, again confirming its eastward alignment within the valley.
• "the way to Beth-jeshimoth, and southward below the slopes of Pisgah": This concludes the boundary description, connecting the southern border near the Dead Sea to a specific landmark, Beth-jeshimoth, and then extending it along the eastern (and effectively southern) base of Mount Pisgah. This combination illustrates the specific contour of the boundary, following natural topography and human pathways.

Joshua 12 3 Bonus section

The precise listing of geographical boundaries, particularly for land given by divine promise, reflects a deeply rooted legal and theological concern in ancient Israel. In the Old Testament, land was not merely property but a physical manifestation of God's covenant with His people, a place where His presence was to dwell (Lev 26:12; Deut 7:1-6). The boundaries described here for Sihon's kingdom were vital because they became the initial inheritance for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh (Num 32; Josh 13). The reference to Pisgah also subtly links back to Moses, who only viewed this promised land from its peak (Deut 34:1-4) without entering, further grounding the fulfillment in both past leadership and ongoing divine action. The act of conquering and explicitly defining these borders underscores God's ability to subdue formidable foes and allocate specific portions, serving as a pattern for future inheritance and a promise for His continued provision.

Joshua 12 3 Commentary

Joshua 12:3 serves as a testament to the literal fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Israel concerning the land. It meticulously details the boundaries of Sihon's kingdom, showcasing divine providence in giving a clearly defined and valuable territory to Israel. This geographical precision emphasizes God's sovereign hand in establishing the physical space for His people to dwell, reflecting the concrete reality of His faithfulness. The repetition of "eastward" highlights the strategic significance of controlling the Jordan valley, a natural defense and trade route. Furthermore, the inclusion of familiar landmarks like the Sea of Chinnereth, the Salt Sea, and Pisgah reinforces the tangible nature of the inheritance, aligning the past prophetic declarations with the present historical accomplishment under Moses and later Joshua. This detailed account reinforces that every portion of the promised land, even beyond the initial Canaanite conquests, was part of God's precise plan.