Joshua 18 19

Joshua 18:19 kjv

And the border passed along to the side of Bethhoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan: this was the south coast.

Joshua 18:19 nkjv

And the border passed along to the north side of Beth Hoglah; then the border ended at the north bay at the Salt Sea, at the south end of the Jordan. This was the southern boundary.

Joshua 18:19 niv

It then went to the northern slope of Beth Hoglah and came out at the northern bay of the Dead Sea, at the mouth of the Jordan in the south. This was the southern boundary.

Joshua 18:19 esv

Then the boundary passes on to the north of the shoulder of Beth-hoglah. And the boundary ends at the northern bay of the Salt Sea, at the south end of the Jordan: this is the southern border.

Joshua 18:19 nlt

ran past the north slope of Beth-hoglah, and ended at the north bay of the Dead Sea, which is the southern end of the Jordan River. This was the southern boundary.

Joshua 18 verses

Joshua 18 19 Meaning

Joshua 18:19 meticulously defines a specific segment of the southern border for the tribe of Benjamin. This segment extended south from a mountainous area before Beth-horon, reaching its furthest point at Kirjath-baal, which is also known as Kirjath-jearim, and specifically notes that this latter city belonged to the tribe of Judah. The verse precisely details a divinely ordained boundary, preventing disputes and confirming tribal inheritances according to God's command.

Joshua 18 19 Context

Joshua chapter 18 details the division of the land for the remaining seven tribes of Israel. After Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh had received their portions, there were still significant territories to be allocated. Joshua commanded the Israelites to send out three men from each of these seven tribes to survey the land, describe it in seven sections, and bring their findings back to him at Shiloh (v. 4-6). This verse specifically describes a segment of the southern border assigned to the tribe of Benjamin (v. 11), indicating its exact geographic markers. It links Benjamin's territory with that of Judah, establishing clear lines of demarcation to prevent future inter-tribal conflicts and fulfill God's promises of specific inheritances. The setting is Shiloh, where the Tabernacle stood, signifying the divine authority behind the allocation process. Historically, these detailed land descriptions provided legal and social frameworks for the tribes, grounding their identity and livelihood in a physical, God-given inheritance.

Joshua 18 19 Word analysis

• And the border (וְהַגְּבוּל, ve-hagvul):

  • וְהַגְּבוּל (ve-hagvul): "and the boundary/border." The definite article 'ha' emphasizes the specific border being described. A גְּבוּל (gevul) denotes a fixed, legally defined limit. Its significance is rooted in the biblical concept of assigned inheritances (נַחֲלָה, nachalah) given by God, ensuring order and preventing encroachment. God Himself sets boundaries for the nations (Acts 17:26).

• went down (יָרַד, yarad):

  • יָרַד (yarad): "descended," "went down." This verb describes a physical descent in elevation, indicating the topographical reality of the land. It implies that the border, after a certain point, followed a downward slope or valley, aligning with the actual landscape.

• to the end (אֶל קְצֵה, el qêtshêh):

  • אֶל קְצֵה (el qêtshêh): "to the end of," "to the extremity of." Signifies the furthest or outermost point of a specified geographic feature, marking the termination of one segment of the boundary and potentially the beginning of another.

• of the mountain (הָהָר, ha-har):

  • הָהָר (ha-har): "the mountain." Refers to a prominent, specific mountainous area. Mountains often served as natural and easily recognizable landmarks for boundaries in ancient times.

• that lieth before Beth-horon (אֲשֶׁר עַל פְּנֵי בֵית חוֹרוֹן, asher al pene Bet Horon):

  • אֲשֶׁר עַל פְּנֵי (asher al pene): "which is before," "which is opposite," or "which is at the face of." Indicates geographical proximity and orientation to Beth-horon.
  • בֵית חוֹרוֹן (Bet Horon): "House of Horon." An important ancient city, likely named after an Egyptian or Canaanite deity, though later associated with the Israelite period. It was strategically located on a ridge commanding an ascent and descent. There were likely two Beth-horons, Upper and Lower, a short distance apart, known for significant battles (Josh 10:10-11). Its mention provides a clear, recognizable reference point.

• southward; (נֶגְבָּה, negbah):

  • נֶגְבָּה (negbah): "southward," "towards the Negeb/south." Specifies the precise cardinal direction of the border's trajectory, crucial for accurate land mapping.

• and the outgoings thereof were (וְתֹצְאֹתָיו הָיוּ, ve-tots'otav hayu):

  • וְתֹצְאֹתָיו הָיוּ (ve-tots'otav hayu): "and its exits/terminations were," "its outgoings were." Refers to the final limits or farthest extent of this particular boundary segment, indicating where it concluded or merged with another point.

• at Kirjath-baal, (אֶל קִרְיַת בַּעַל, el Kiryat Baal):

  • קִרְיַת בַּעַל (Kiryat Baal): "City of Baal." The name suggests its former Canaanite identity and likely its dedication to the worship of the deity Baal. The presence of this name hints at the process of divinely mandated disinheritance of pagan practices in the land.

• which is Kirjath-jearim: (הִיא קִרְיַת יְעָרִים, hi Kiryat Ye'arim):

  • הִיא (hi): "it is," "that is." A linguistic marker identifying קִרְיַת בַּעַל and קִרְיַת יְעָרִים as the same place.
  • קִרְיַת יְעָרִים (Kiryat Ye'arim): "City of Forests/Woods." This renaming (or co-existing name) indicates Israelite control and re-contextualization of the territory. It became significant as the long-term resting place for the Ark of the Covenant (1 Sam 7:1-2), transforming a site potentially associated with Baal worship into a sanctuary for Yahweh. This renaming or dual naming implicitly functions as a subtle polemic, diminishing the pagan connection while elevating its Israelite identity and future role.

• a city of the children of Judah. (עִיר בְּנֵי יְהוּדָה, ir beney Yehudah):

  • עִיר בְּנֵי יְהוּדָה (ir beney Yehudah): "a city of the sons/children of Judah." This phrase clarifies that although this point is on Benjamin's southern border, Kirjath-jearim itself belongs to Judah's allotted inheritance (Josh 15:60). This highlights the precise nature of the boundaries and how the territories of different tribes could meet at a specific landmark city. It confirms the meticulous and sometimes complex overlapping nature of divinely established boundaries between distinct tribal inheritances.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And the border went down to the end of the mountain that lieth before Beth-horon southward": This phrase paints a detailed geographical picture, orienting the boundary segment relative to a known landmark and a cardinal direction. The descent emphasizes the realistic contour of the terrain, underscoring the practicality of the divine instruction for surveying and demarcation.
  • "and the outgoings thereof were at Kirjath-baal, which is Kirjath-jearim: a city of the children of Judah": This identifies the terminus of the specified border segment. The dual naming of the city is particularly significant, showing its Canaanite origin (Baal) and its Israelite integration/renaming (Jearim), with its definitive ownership attributed to Judah. This reflects the reality of Israelite settlement within formerly pagan lands and hints at the spiritual transformation accompanying the physical possession.

Joshua 18 19 Bonus section

The highly detailed border descriptions found throughout Joshua chapters 13-19 are not merely historical records; they serve several profound theological and practical purposes.

1. Fulfillment of Prophecy: They demonstrate the meticulous fulfillment of God's land promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants. This highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant word over centuries.
2. Legal Framework: These specific demarcations established a legal basis for land ownership and inheritance among the tribes, crucial for societal stability and avoiding territorial disputes (Deut 19:14, Prov 22:28). This order reflected the divine design for their communal life.
3. Divine Providence: The boundaries were determined by lot, indicating divine supervision and direction in the allocation, not human caprice (Josh 14:2, Num 26:55). God was intimately involved in every detail of their lives.
4. Identity and Responsibility: Each tribe received a defined space, fostering their distinct identity within the larger nation and placing upon them the responsibility to fully possess and cleanse their allotted inheritance from idolatry.
5. Preparation for the Kingdom: The meticulous establishment of the territorial base was foundational for the later unified kingdom under David and Solomon, symbolizing God's sovereign rule over the earth, commencing with His chosen people. The land's boundaries represented the limits of their sphere of influence and obedience.

Joshua 18 19 Commentary

Joshua 18:19 is not just a dry geographic description; it's a testament to God's precise fulfillment of His covenant promises regarding the land of Canaan. The meticulous detail in defining Benjamin's southern border, extending to a prominent landmark like Kirjath-jearim, emphasizes divine order and justice. This precision served to minimize inter-tribal disputes and provided clear legal title to the land.

The mention of "Beth-horon" highlights a strategic gateway city in the Judean hills, often involved in military maneuvers. Its presence on the border indicates a critical point in the new geopolitical landscape. The explicit linking of "Kirjath-baal" with "Kirjath-jearim" is particularly telling. Kirjath-baal, meaning "City of Baal," overtly signifies its pre-Israelite, idolatrous identity. The co-designation as Kirjath-jearim, "City of Forests," while seemingly innocuous, subtly shifts its identity away from the pagan. More profoundly, Kirjath-jearim would later become the temporary resting place of the Ark of the Covenant for decades (1 Sam 7:1-2). This historical detail infuses spiritual significance into a boundary marker; a place once dedicated to Baal becomes a dwelling site for the Lord's presence, underscoring the spiritual conquest and transformation of the land as God's people inhabit it.

The verse also affirms the strict boundaries of Judah's inheritance (Josh 15:60), showing how these boundaries intersected. This was essential for the distinct identity and administrative autonomy of each tribe, yet all within the overarching, unified inheritance from God. This divinely-drawn boundary speaks to God's faithfulness in securing His people's promised heritage, right down to the specific topography and urban centers.