Joshua 16 5

Joshua 16:5 kjv

And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper;

Joshua 16:5 nkjv

The border of the children of Ephraim, according to their families, was thus: The border of their inheritance on the east side was Ataroth Addar as far as Upper Beth Horon.

Joshua 16:5 niv

This was the territory of Ephraim, according to its clans: The boundary of their inheritance went from Ataroth Addar in the east to Upper Beth Horon

Joshua 16:5 esv

The territory of the people of Ephraim by their clans was as follows: the boundary of their inheritance on the east was Ataroth-addar as far as Upper Beth-horon,

Joshua 16:5 nlt

The following territory was given to the clans of the tribe of Ephraim. The boundary of their homeland began at Ataroth-addar in the east. From there it ran to Upper Beth-horon,

Joshua 16 verses

Joshua 16 5 Meaning

Joshua 16:5 precisely delineates a portion of the eastern boundary for the tribal inheritance of the children of Ephraim, detailing its extent from a landmark named Ataroth-addar all the way to Upper Beth-horon. This verse, therefore, functions as a record of the divine allocation and subsequent precise survey of the promised land among the Israelite tribes, underscoring the ordered and familial nature of their inheritance in Canaan.

Joshua 16 5 Context

Joshua chapter 16 initiates the detailed descriptions of the tribal land allocations in the Promised Land. Chapters 13-19 of the Book of Joshua meticulously outline how the territory of Canaan was distributed among the twelve tribes of Israel, fulfilling God's covenantal promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Specifically, Joshua 16 details the inheritance of the "sons of Joseph"—Ephraim and Manasseh. Although they were two distinct tribes, they descended from Joseph and were often treated together, having inherited significant and fertile portions of the central highlands of Canaan. This precise enumeration of boundaries, as seen in verse 5, was critical for establishing definitive territorial rights, preventing inter-tribal disputes, and reinforcing each tribe's unique identity within the broader nation of Israel. The historical context is post-conquest, moving from military campaigns to civil administration, where the divinely ordained structure of Israel as a settled nation begins to take tangible form.

Joshua 16 5 Word analysis

• And the border: (Hebrew: וַיְהִי גְּבוּל – Vayehi gevul).
  • border (גְּבוּל, gevul): Signifies a definitive boundary, limit, or territory. In the ancient world, precise boundaries were crucial for ownership and peace, especially when land was inherited. This term emphasizes the establishment of fixed, unalterable lines drawn by divine decree, reflecting order and justice in the allocation. It assures that each tribe had a clear, defined space.
• of the children of Ephraim: (Hebrew: בְּנֵי אֶפְרַיִם – B'nei Ephrayim).
  • children (בְּנֵי, b'nei): Means "sons of" or "descendants of," referring to the entire tribal entity as the collective inheritors.
  • Ephraim (אֶפְרַיִם, Ephrayim): Means "fruitful" or "doubly fruitful" (from Hebrew pārāh - to be fruitful). Named by Joseph (Gen 41:52). Jacob later blessed Ephraim above Manasseh, designating him as the more prominent tribe that would become a "multitude of nations" (Gen 48:19-20). This verse therefore highlights the fulfillment of that significant blessing, as Ephraim received a substantial and central inheritance.
• according to their families was thus: (Hebrew: לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם – l'mishpechotam).
  • according to their families: The tribal divisions were not merely geographical but rooted in family units, reflecting the Israelite societal structure. Land inheritance followed strict patrilineal lines, emphasizing the preservation of familial identity and property through generations. This underscores the careful, organized distribution according to God's command (Num 26:52-56).
• even the border of their inheritance: (Hebrew: גְּבוּל נַחֲלָתָם – gevul nachalatam).
  • inheritance (נַחֲלָה, nachalah): Denotes an inheritance, patrimony, or possession received, typically from a deceased ancestor or through an allotment. Crucially, in this context, the land is seen as a divine inheritance given by God to His people. It's a permanent possession, not a temporary dwelling. This reinforces God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.
• on the east side was Ataroth-addar: (Hebrew: מִזְרָח עַטְרוֹת אַדָּר – mizrach Atrot Addar).
  • east side: Precise directional indication highlights the detailed, surveyed nature of the boundary descriptions. Accuracy was paramount for legal and administrative purposes.
  • Ataroth-addar (עַטְרוֹת אַדָּר, Atrot Addar): "Crowns of Addar." A specific, known landmark serving as a marker for the tribal boundary. The mention of precise place names makes the account verifiable and grounded in the geographical realities of Canaan.
• unto Beth-horon the upper: (Hebrew: עַד בֵּית חוֹרוֹן הָעֶלְיוֹן – 'ad Beit Horon Ha'elyon).
  • unto: Indicates the extent or termination point of this segment of the boundary.
  • Beth-horon (בֵּית חוֹרוֹן, Beit Horon): "House of Horon," likely named after a local deity or family before Israelite conquest. There were two towns, "Upper" (Ha'elyon) and "Lower," strategically located on a critical ridge road that linked the coastal plain with Jerusalem and the central highlands.
  • the upper: Distinguishes it from Lower Beth-horon (mentioned in Josh 16:3 as part of Ephraim's boundary, albeit a different segment or direction in that verse). Upper Beth-horon, being at a higher elevation, served as a prominent geographical marker, emphasizing the elevation and the natural contours of the land forming the boundary. Beth-horon's strategic importance meant control over a key artery through the tribal territory.

Joshua 16 5 Bonus section

The tribal allotments in Joshua, including Ephraim's, were not just lines on a map but concrete expressions of divine blessing and responsibility. Each tribe received land sufficient for sustenance, tying their identity closely to their allocated territory. This system reinforced tribal distinctiveness while promoting national unity under God. The accuracy of these boundary descriptions served a critical legal function in ancient Israelite society, functioning as property deeds for future generations. Any attempt to alter these boundaries was strictly forbidden (Deut 19:14, Prov 22:28). This focus on physical boundaries also prefigures spiritual truths: just as God gives His people an earthly inheritance, He also defines a spiritual inheritance for believers in Christ, marked by grace and defined by His covenant. The detailed recording served as an enduring testimony to God's promise-keeping nature and His meticulous care for His people's well-being and settlement.

Joshua 16 5 Commentary

Joshua 16:5, though seemingly a simple geographical notation, is profoundly significant. It exemplifies God's faithfulness in delivering on His promise of a land to Abraham's descendants (Gen 12:7, 15:18). The meticulous delineation of Ephraim's eastern border, moving from Ataroth-addar to Upper Beth-horon, underscores the order and precision of God's work in establishing His people in their inheritance. This was not a haphazard distribution but a carefully orchestrated allotment, "according to their families," ensuring identity and communal stability. The very act of documenting these physical boundaries laid the groundwork for the social, economic, and political structure of Israel. The inclusion of specific, strategically vital locations like Beth-horon, emphasizes the practical realities of holding and defending the land. These details affirm divine sovereignty over both the grand plan and its minutiae, highlighting that God cares for every boundary and portion given to His people, ensuring security and provision within His ordained territories. Practically, it highlights the importance of clearly defined boundaries in all aspects of life – whether physical, relational, or spiritual – for order and peace.