Joshua 18 16

Joshua 18:16 kjv

And the border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south, and descended to Enrogel,

Joshua 18:16 nkjv

Then the border came down to the end of the mountain that lies before the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, which is in the Valley of the Rephaim on the north, descended to the Valley of Hinnom, to the side of the Jebusite city on the south, and descended to En Rogel.

Joshua 18:16 niv

The boundary went down to the foot of the hill facing the Valley of Ben Hinnom, north of the Valley of Rephaim. It continued down the Hinnom Valley along the southern slope of the Jebusite city and so to En Rogel.

Joshua 18:16 esv

Then the boundary goes down to the border of the mountain that overlooks the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, which is at the north end of the Valley of Rephaim. And it then goes down the Valley of Hinnom, south of the shoulder of the Jebusites, and downward to En-rogel.

Joshua 18:16 nlt

and down to the base of the mountain beside the valley of Ben-Hinnom, at the northern end of the valley of Rephaim. From there it went down the valley of Hinnom, crossing south of the slope where the Jebusites lived, and continued down to En-rogel.

Joshua 18 verses

Joshua 18 16 Meaning

Joshua 18:16 meticulously outlines a specific segment of the tribal boundary allocated to the Benjaminite tribe, beginning from a mountain that lies before the Valley of Hinnom, continuing down into this valley, near the territory of the Jebusites (Jerusalem), and extending southward to the prominent spring of En-rogel. This verse details the divinely ordained demarcation of land, emphasizing the precision and importance of each tribal inheritance within the promised land.

Joshua 18 16 Context

Joshua 18 takes place after the initial major conquest campaigns in Canaan and the first land allotments to Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh (Chapters 15-17). With the main tabernacle now settled at Shiloh, Joshua reprimands the remaining seven tribes for their delay in claiming their promised inheritance. He instructs them to send out a surveying team to map the land into seven portions. The detailed description in Joshua 18:16 is part of the recorded survey results for the tribe of Benjamin, specifically delineating its southern border. Historically, this period marks a critical transition from military conquest to civil settlement, demonstrating God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promise to provide the land to Israel. The precise delineation of boundaries was crucial for tribal identity, ownership, legal disputes, and the stability of the nascent Israelite society, preventing conflict over territories.

Joshua 18 16 Word analysis

• And the border: Implies continuity from the previous verse, marking a segment of a larger boundary description. The Hebrew word is gĕvûl (גְּבוּל), meaning "boundary, territory, frontier." This term emphasizes defined, authoritative lines, reflecting God's order and precise allocation rather than haphazard division. It underscores the concept of distinct, non-overlapping inheritances.
• came down: The Hebrew yārad (יָרַד) signifies a descent or movement downwards. This indicates the topographical reality of the land, as boundaries often followed natural features like slopes and valleys. The use of 'came down' rather than simply 'ran' suggests a detailed geographical observation.
• to the end of the mountain that lieth before: Describes a specific geographical termination point. It suggests a recognizable landmark, possibly a spur or ridge extending from a larger mountain range, acting as a natural marker for the boundary. The precision speaks to the real-world, verifiable nature of these ancient demarcations.
• the valley of Hinnom: In Hebrew, gayʾ ben-Hinnōm (גַּיְא בֶּן־הִנֹּם). This specific valley, also known as Gehenna in the New Testament, became notorious for child sacrifices to Molech in later periods (Jer 7:31, 32:35). Its inclusion here as a boundary marker for Benjamin highlights its geographical prominence and anticipates its future, tragic significance for Israel, though at this stage, it is simply a topographical feature. It forms part of the southwestern border of Benjamin and a northern border of Judah.
• which is in the valley of Rephaim northward: The Valley of Rephaim (refaim), in Hebrew biqʿat rĕfāʾîm, means "valley of the giants." It was associated with earlier inhabitants of unusual stature (2 Sam 5:18, 22). Placing Hinnom in relation to Rephaim provides further geographical clarity and reminds the original audience of the previous inhabitants whom God had dispossessed, affirming Israel's rightful claim.
• and went down to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of the Jebusite southward: The repetition of "went down" (yārad) and the return to "valley of Hinnom" reinforces the specific course of the boundary through this significant valley, tracing a path adjacent to the unconquered Jebusite city (Jerusalem). This detail reveals that while God granted the land, complete possession of Jerusalem itself (Jebus) was still future for Israel, though within the general boundary of Benjamin/Judah. The phrase "side of the Jebusite" (Heb. ʾel-ḳāṭeh ha-yĕvûsî) indicates that the border skirted the very edge of the Jebusite city.
• and descended to En-rogel: The Hebrew ʿēn rōgēl means "Fountain of the Fuller" or "Fountain of the Trampler." This was a vital spring located at the junction of the Kidron Valley and the Valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem. As a perennial water source, En-rogel was a crucial landmark in ancient times, making it an undeniable and stable point for defining a border. Its importance is underscored in biblical narratives as a gathering place (2 Sam 17:17, 1 Kings 1:9). Its presence signifies the precise termination of this segment of the boundary line.

Joshua 18 16 Bonus section

The extensive detail given to boundaries throughout Joshua, and specifically in this verse, speaks to the practical implications of God's promises. It highlights that the spiritual blessing of "inheritance" had concrete, geographical manifestation in ancient Israel. This land inheritance, in turn, served as a foundational type or shadow for the ultimate spiritual inheritance promised to believers in Christ. Just as the tribes had definite boundaries, so too does God define and secure the inheritance of His people in the New Covenant – an inheritance not bound by geography but secured in Christ. The concept of God determining boundaries (Acts 17:26) is rooted in His sovereign design for nations and His chosen people, showcasing His providential oversight even in what might seem like mundane geographical details.

Joshua 18 16 Commentary

Joshua 18:16 offers a snapshot of the meticulousness involved in the divinely-guided distribution of the Promised Land. The extreme precision of the boundary description, employing specific geographical features like valleys, mountains, and springs, underscores the divine ownership and authoritative nature of these allotments. Each tribe received a defined, secure inheritance from the Lord, validating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises made centuries earlier to Abraham. The naming of specific sites, even those that would gain later notoriety like the Valley of Hinnom, confirms the historical and geographical accuracy of these records, rooting the spiritual fulfillment in tangible, physical space. This detailed demarcation prevented future inter-tribal disputes and reinforced Israel's unique identity as a people living on God's land, according to His perfect plan.