Joshua 16 3

Joshua 16:3 kjv

And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer; and the goings out thereof are at the sea.

Joshua 16:3 nkjv

and went down westward to the boundary of the Japhletites, as far as the boundary of Lower Beth Horon to Gezer; and it ended at the sea.

Joshua 16:3 niv

descended westward to the territory of the Japhletites as far as the region of Lower Beth Horon and on to Gezer, ending at the Mediterranean Sea.

Joshua 16:3 esv

Then it goes down westward to the territory of the Japhletites, as far as the territory of Lower Beth-horon, then to Gezer, and it ends at the sea.

Joshua 16:3 nlt

Then it descended westward to the territory of the Japhletites as far as Lower Beth-horon, then to Gezer and over to the Mediterranean Sea.

Joshua 16 verses

Joshua 16 3 Meaning

Joshua 16:3 precisely outlines a section of the southern border for the tribe of Ephraim, describing its westward trajectory. The border begins near an area associated with the Japhletites, proceeds to the vicinity of Lower Beth-horon, includes the strategic city of Gezer, and culminates at the Mediterranean Sea. This verse delineates specific geographical landmarks to define the tribal inheritance.

Joshua 16 3 Context

Joshua 16:3 is part of the detailed tribal allotments described in the book of Joshua, specifically within chapters 13-19. This particular verse describes a portion of the southern border assigned to the tribe of Ephraim, one of the two tribes descended from Joseph. The preceding verses (Josh 16:1-2) outline the eastern and northern bounds of Ephraim's territory, moving generally westward from Jericho. Chapter 16 focuses solely on the Josephite tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh), detailing how their land inheritance, promised to their ancestor Joseph, was concretely materialized in the Land of Canaan.

Historically, this period follows the initial conquests led by Joshua and precedes the era of the Judges. While the land was allotted, the complete dispossession of all Canaanite inhabitants remained an ongoing challenge, as highlighted by cities like Gezer, which, despite being assigned, often remained partially occupied by its native inhabitants (Judg 1:29). The delineation of these boundaries served to solidify Israel's claim to the promised land, provided divine instruction for tribal identity, and aimed to prevent inter-tribal disputes, while implicitly indicating the remaining tasks of conquest.

Joshua 16 3 Word analysis

• and go down westward: Indicates a clear directional movement. "Westward" (יָמָּה - yammâ) means towards the sea, signifying the general flow of the boundary description. It reflects the geographical reality of the terrain descending from the central highlands towards the coastal plain.

• to the border of the Japhletites: "Japhletites" (יַפְלֵטִי - Yafləṭî) refers to a clan or territory whose exact location is less known beyond this verse and its parallel in 1 Chronicles 7:33-34, where Japhlet is listed as a descendant of Asher, suggesting a northern connection, but here geographically places their "border" on Ephraim's south. This highlights the specificity of God's division, acknowledging smaller, potentially less prominent groups, whose existence defined parts of larger tribal lands.

• as far as the border of Lower Beth-horon: "Beth-horon" (בֵּית חֹרוֹן - Bêṯ Ḥōrôn, meaning "house of Horon," likely after a Canaanite deity, though adopted for the place) refers to a key strategic location in the Shephelah, the low foothills leading from the coastal plain to the central highlands. "Lower Beth-horon" (תַּחְתּוֹן - Taḥttôn) distinguishes it from Upper Beth-horon, indicating a specific point on a vital military and trade route pass. Its mention signifies a major landmark defining a boundary.

• and to Gezer: "Gezer" (גֶּזֶר - Gezer) was a highly significant, strongly fortified Canaanite royal city, centrally located on trade routes. It often remained an independent or contested enclave even within allotted Israelite territory, underscoring the challenges of complete conquest despite divine grant. Its inclusion on Ephraim's border shows the divinely intended extent of their land.

• and its terminations are at the sea: "Terminations" (תֹצְאֹת - tōṣeʾōṯ, meaning "outgoings" or "limits") refers to the final points or extremities of the border. "The sea" (יָם - yām) invariably refers to the Mediterranean Sea, marking the definitive westernmost boundary of Ephraim's tribal territory. This illustrates the physical completion of the assigned border as it extends fully to the natural barrier of the sea.

• "to the border of the Japhletites, as far as the border of Lower Beth-horon, and to Gezer": This sequence precisely maps key landmarks along the southern line. It moves from an obscure, perhaps interior, point, towards the more recognized strategic and fortified cities, demonstrating a practical approach to land definition by referencing prominent features.

• "Lower Beth-horon, and to Gezer, and its terminations are at the sea": This group highlights the inclusion of major strategic centers within or alongside the tribal boundary, signifying the military and geopolitical importance of Ephraim's territory. The progression to the "sea" defines the ultimate geographical extent, indicating a complete and fixed allotment as per divine instruction.

Joshua 16 3 Bonus section

The historical-geographical precision of verses like Joshua 16:3 allows modern scholars and archaeologists to correlate biblical accounts with archaeological finds. For instance, the site of Gezer has undergone extensive excavation, revealing a long history of occupation, impressive fortifications, and various cultural layers consistent with its portrayal as a significant city. Similarly, the Beth-horon pass remains a critical route connecting the coastal plain with the central hill country, its strategic value evident through centuries of military activity. The fact that the tribal territories sometimes included cities not fully subdued initially highlights the ongoing challenge for Israel to fully trust and obey God in the land He had given them. This unfinished task serves as a significant narrative bridge between the book of Joshua and the subsequent book of Judges.

Joshua 16 3 Commentary

Joshua 16:3 meticulously details a segment of Ephraim’s southern boundary, moving westward from the more vaguely defined “Japhletite” border towards known strongholds like Lower Beth-horon and Gezer, finally reaching the Mediterranean Sea. This precision underscores the divine care and intentionality in distributing the Promised Land, transforming a general promise into tangible, defensible territories. The mention of strategically important locations like Beth-horon, a key pass city, and Gezer, a formidable Canaanite royal city, implies that Ephraim's inheritance was not just geographically extensive but also militarily crucial. Despite these cities often remaining un-conquered Canaanite enclaves initially (Judg 1:29), their inclusion within the allotted territory emphasizes that God had provided the means for complete possession, dependent on Israel’s obedience. This verse, like others detailing land allotments, reflects God's faithfulness to His covenant promises (Gen 12:7; Deut 1:8), establishing a distinct identity and home for each tribe within the larger nation, providing both security and a call to fulfill their divine mandate by taking full possession.