Joshua 16 6

Joshua 16:6 kjv

And the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah on the north side; and the border went about eastward unto Taanathshiloh, and passed by it on the east to Janohah;

Joshua 16:6 nkjv

And the border went out toward the sea on the north side of Michmethath; then the border went around eastward to Taanath Shiloh, and passed by it on the east of Janohah.

Joshua 16:6 niv

and continued to the Mediterranean Sea. From Mikmethath on the north it curved eastward to Taanath Shiloh, passing by it to Janoah on the east.

Joshua 16:6 esv

and the boundary goes from there to the sea. On the north is Michmethath. Then on the east the boundary turns around toward Taanath-shiloh and passes along beyond it on the east to Janoah,

Joshua 16:6 nlt

then on to the Mediterranean Sea. From Micmethath on the north, the boundary curved eastward past Taanath-shiloh to the east of Janoah.

Joshua 16 verses

Joshua 16 6 Meaning

Joshua 16:6 describes a specific segment of the tribal boundary for the Sons of Joseph, particularly delineating the southern border of Ephraim's allotted territory. It precisely details the border's westward extension to Michmethath from the north, its subsequent eastward turn, and its path past Taanath-Shiloh to Janohah. This precise description was crucial for establishing and defining the tribal inheritances in the land of Canaan.

Joshua 16 6 Context

Joshua chapter 16 focuses on the land allotment for the descendants of Joseph, specifically the tribe of Ephraim. Following the overall division of the land among the Israelite tribes by lot at Shiloh, chapters 15 through 19 meticulously describe the boundaries and key cities of each tribal inheritance. This particular verse, Joshua 16:6, forms a precise segment of Ephraim's southern boundary, marking its distinction from the territory of Benjamin to its south. Historically, this precise geographical demarcation was essential to actualize God's promise of the land to Abraham's descendants and ensure the proper tribal divisions, forming the geopolitical structure of early Israel. It demonstrates the meticulous fulfillment of divine covenant, contrasting with the chaotic, less defined territories of the surrounding Canaanite city-states.

Joshua 16 6 Word analysis

• The border went out westward (וְיָצָא הַגְּבוּל הַיָּמָּה - və-yātsā’ hag-gəvūl hay-yāmāmâ)

  • וְיָצָא (və-yātsā’): "and went out." From יָצָא (yatsa'), to go out, proceed, extend. Here, it denotes the trajectory and direction of the border line. It implies a dynamic path rather than a static point.
  • הַגְּבוּל (hag-gəvūl): "the border." From גְּבוּל (gevul), boundary, limit, territory. This emphasizes the official, demarcated line separating tribal lands. It signifies ownership and jurisdiction.
  • הַיָּמָּה (hay-yāmāmâ): "westward" or "toward the sea." From יָם (yam), sea, specifically the Mediterranean Sea. In ancient Israelite geography, the sea was the common reference point for the west. Significance: It roots the description in specific, natural geographical cardinal directions.

• to Michmethath (אֶל-מִכְמְתָת - ’el-Mikhəmtāt)

  • Michmethath: A place name, signifying a specific landmark. Its precise modern location is debated among scholars, but it served as an undeniable, known point for the ancient Israelites. Its mention adds legal and historical validity to the boundary description.

• on the north (מִצָּפוֹן - mits-tsāfōn)

  • מִצָּפוֹן (mits-tsāfōn): "from the north" or "on the north side." From צָפוֹן (tsafon), north. This specifies Michmethath's position relative to the main course of the boundary or a preceding point, indicating a northerly aspect or northern beginning of the westward stretch. Adds detail and clarity to the complex boundary path.

• and then encircled eastward (וְנָסַב הַגְּבוּל מִזְרָחָה - və-nāsav hag-gəvūl miz-rāḥâ)

  • וְנָסַב (və-nāsav): "and turned" or "and encircled." From סָבַב (savav), to turn, surround, encircle. This verb indicates a significant change in the border's direction, not a straight path. It often implies a contour following natural terrain.
  • מִזְרָחָה (mizrāḥâ): "eastward" or "to the east." From מִזְרָח (mizrah), sunrise, east. Denotes the new direction of the border after the turn.
  • Words-group significance: "encircled eastward" denotes the dynamic, non-linear nature of the boundary, typical of how ancient land borders followed natural features or geographical dictates. It’s not an arbitrary straight line.

• to Taanath-Shiloh (תַּאֲנַת שִׁלֹה - Ta’ănat Shiloh)

  • Taanath-Shiloh: Another significant place name. The connection to "Shiloh" (which hosted the Tabernacle) highlights its proximity to the central religious and administrative site of early Israel. This implies the strategic importance and sacred context of Ephraim's allocation.

• and passed by it on the east (וְעָבַר אוֹתוֹ מִמִּזְרָח - və-‘āvar ’ōtō mim-mizrāḥ)

  • וְעָבַר (və-‘āvar): "and passed over/by." From עָבַר (avar), to cross over, pass through/by. Specifies that the border did not go through the city of Taanath-Shiloh but alongside it.
  • אוֹתוֹ (’ōtō): "it." Referring to Taanath-Shiloh.
  • מִמִּזְרָח (mim-mizrāḥ): "from the east" or "on the east side." This phrase specifies that the border ran along the eastern side of Taanath-Shiloh. This precision was critical for legal ownership and avoidance of boundary disputes.
  • Words-group significance: This precise phrasing, "passed by it on the east," is vital for legal and land tenure purposes, indicating whether the city itself was fully within Ephraim's territory or if the border merely skirted it. It ensures no ambiguity in land ownership.

• to Janohah. (יָנוֹחָה - Yānōḥâ)

  • Janohah: The final named geographical point in this segment of the description. It marks the termination of the specified part of the border, providing another fixed reference for Ephraim's northern-to-southern boundary.

Joshua 16 6 Bonus section

• The detail of these border descriptions underscores the concrete reality of the land allocation as a historical event, serving as a vital legal charter for the tribes of Israel, outlining their rights and responsibilities.
• The prominence of Ephraim's allotment reflects Joseph's (and especially Ephraim's) patriarchal blessing, granting them a fertile, central region of Canaan. This also highlights their future leadership role in Israel.
• These ancient geographical markers, though some are difficult to identify definitively today, validate the biblical account as a true record of settlement and land apportionment.
• The act of God providing a defined inheritance parallels the New Testament concept of spiritual inheritance and blessings secured for believers through Christ (Eph 1:11), providing a secure, promised dwelling place for God's people.

Joshua 16 6 Commentary

Joshua 16:6 provides a detailed glimpse into the precise and ordered nature of Israel's land division, directly illustrating the faithful fulfillment of God's covenant promises. Far from being a mere dry list of geographical names, this verse, along with others detailing tribal boundaries, served as the legal and theological foundation for the Israelites' national existence. The meticulous delineation of Ephraim's southern border signifies God's complete control and provision of the land. Each turning point and landmark mentioned (Michmethath, Taanath-Shiloh, Janohah) speaks to a divinely ordained plan executed with exactitude. The inclusion of "Shiloh" (implied by Taanath-Shiloh) subtly connects this territorial inheritance to the presence of God’s tabernacle, embedding the land's possession within a sacred covenant framework. The description of the border "encircling" suggests the incorporation of natural features into the design, emphasizing the practical and wise organization of their allotted portion. This meticulous record would serve to prevent future disputes over land, provided the tribes remained faithful to their inheritance. However, as subsequent texts reveal (Jg 1:29, Josh 16:10), Ephraim struggled to fully possess and cleanse its allocated land, demonstrating the human challenge in maintaining the divine inheritance.