Joshua 18 20

Joshua 18:20 kjv

And Jordan was the border of it on the east side. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by the coasts thereof round about, according to their families.

Joshua 18:20 nkjv

The Jordan was its border on the east side. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, according to its boundaries all around, according to their families.

Joshua 18:20 niv

The Jordan formed the boundary on the eastern side. These were the boundaries that marked out the inheritance of the clans of Benjamin on all sides.

Joshua 18:20 esv

The Jordan forms its boundary on the eastern side. This is the inheritance of the people of Benjamin, according to their clans, boundary by boundary all around.

Joshua 18:20 nlt

The eastern boundary was the Jordan River.
These were the boundaries of the homeland allocated to the clans of the tribe of Benjamin.

Joshua 18 verses

Joshua 18 20 Meaning

Joshua 18:20 concludes the description of Benjamin's southern boundary. It states that this precisely defined border, which descended towards the Jordan River and terminated at the Salt Sea (the Dead Sea), constituted the complete inheritance allocated to the tribe of Benjamin. This distribution was carried out meticulously, clan by clan, ensuring each family received its designated portion within the tribal territory.

Joshua 18 20 Context

Joshua chapter 18 details the division of the remaining seven tribal inheritances among the Israelites. After the initial distribution to Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh (chapters 15-17), a considerable portion of the land remained un-surveyed and unallocated. Joshua, concerned by this delay, instructs three men from each of the remaining seven tribes to survey the land, describe it in seven sections, and return to Shiloh, where lots would be cast before the Lord. This ensures divine guidance and fairness in the allocation. Verses 11-20 specifically delineate the boundaries for the tribe of Benjamin, a strategically important central region encompassing parts of the future capital, Jerusalem. Verse 20 concludes this boundary description, serving as a clear and authoritative statement of the tribe's acquired territory, affirming the completion of its lot and emphasizing the detailed, orderly nature of the land distribution as an act of divine provision and covenant fulfillment. Historically, this precise demarcation was crucial for tribal identity, administration, and preventing future land disputes, reflecting the Israelite understanding of the land as a direct gift from God.

Joshua 18 20 Word analysis

• And the border came down: (Hebrew: Veha-gevul yarad)

  • And: Connects this statement as a continuation of the preceding description of Benjamin's border (v.19). It indicates the completion of the southern boundary's trajectory.
  • the border: (ha-gevul, הַגְּבוּל). Signifies a definite, well-defined physical boundary. The article "the" indicates this is the specific, final boundary being detailed. It represents the divinely appointed limit of Benjamin's land.
  • came down: (yarad, יָרַד). Implies a geographical descent or following a course. This typically describes movement from higher ground to lower, reflecting the topography of the land towards the Jordan Rift Valley. It underscores the descriptive nature of the text, presenting a meticulous survey of natural features used as markers.

• to the Jordan: (ha-Yarden, הַיַּרְדֵּן). The Jordan River, a prominent and unmissable geographical feature. It forms a natural eastern boundary for several Israelite tribes. Its inclusion ensures a clear and unambiguous marker. The river is central to Israel's identity and history, marking their entry into the Promised Land.

• and its end was: (u-toṣ'ōtav hāyū, וְתֹצְאֹתָיו הָיוּ)

  • and its end: (toṣ'ōtav, תֹצְאֹתָיו). More precisely, "its exits" or "its outcomes." Here, it refers to the terminus or the definitive end-points of the boundary line. It signifies the point where the border effectively concluded its course.
  • was: (hāyū, הָיוּ). Simple past tense, confirming the established reality of this final point.

• at the Salt Sea: (ʼel Yam Hamelakh, אֶל־יָם הַמֶּלַח). The Dead Sea. A large, well-known natural landmark. Its name ("Salt Sea") points to its high salinity. As a clear, immobile geographical feature, it serves as an undeniable and permanent boundary marker, crucial for precise land division and avoiding future disputes. Its vastness acts as a natural, uncrossable limit.

• This was: (Zot hāyětāh, זֹאת הָיְתָה). An emphatic declarative statement, asserting the truth and finality of what follows. "This" refers specifically to the entire description of the boundary, confirming its established nature.

• the inheritance: (naḥălat, נַחֲלַת). A central theological concept in Joshua. It refers to the divinely allotted possession or heritage. It is not merely a piece of land but a sacred trust and a fulfillment of God's covenant promises (e.g., to Abraham). It signifies security, provision, and divine favor. The inheritance is a tangible representation of God's faithfulness.

• of the children of Benjamin: (Bĕnê Vinyamin, בְּנֵי בִנְיָמִין). Clearly identifies the recipient tribe. Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob, and his tribe held a central and significant geographical position, including parts of what would become Jerusalem. The phrase "children of" emphasizes the familial and communal aspect of the tribe, united under a common patriarchal lineage.

• according to their families: (lĕ-mišpĕḥōtām, לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם). Reinforces the orderly, systematic, and granular distribution of the land. It implies a survey and division that took into account the distinct clans and households within the tribe. This level of detail highlights the just and precise nature of the land allocation process, ensuring that the inheritance truly belonged to the smallest social units, demonstrating God's meticulous care for His people's needs and order within their society.

Words-group analysis:

• "And the border came down to the Jordan; and its end was at the Salt Sea.": This phrase provides the geographical completion of Benjamin's southern boundary. It describes a precise line ending at two undeniable natural features. This demonstrates the detailed and non-negotiable nature of the divine land distribution, leaving no room for ambiguity.
• "This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.": This is a concluding legal and theological declaration. "This was the inheritance" asserts divine legitimacy and ownership, emphasizing the land as a gift from God. "Children of Benjamin" specifies the divine recipient, affirming the tribe's identity through its assigned territory. "According to their families" highlights the internal organization and fair distribution within the tribe, ensuring justice and order down to the clan level. It underscores that God's plan encompassed every household within Israel.

Joshua 18 20 Bonus section

The rigorous description of tribal boundaries throughout Joshua, especially highlighted in this verse for Benjamin, can be seen as an administrative framework for the nascent nation. These geographical definitions not only ensured order and reduced inter-tribal disputes but also solidified the identity of each tribe within the greater Israelite confederation. Benjamin's inheritance, situated between powerful tribes like Judah to the south and Ephraim/Manasseh to the north, would prove strategically vital for Israel, encompassing later key locations like Jerusalem and Gibeah. This verse, by firmly defining the limits of their God-given heritage, provided the tribal community with a foundational sense of belonging and divine security in their allocated portion. This earthly inheritance serves as a powerful prototype for the believer's spiritual inheritance in Christ, which is likewise promised, secure, and eternally defined by God (Eph 1:11-14; Col 1:12; 1 Pet 1:4).

Joshua 18 20 Commentary

Joshua 18:20 serves as a crucial concluding statement for the demarcation of Benjamin's inheritance, emphasizing the meticulousness and divine authority behind the land division. The verse underscores God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient promises to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan. The specific mention of the Jordan and the Salt Sea as border termini highlights the tangible, precise nature of the inheritance, leaving no doubt about Benjamin's divinely appointed boundaries. This level of detail reflects the comprehensive and ordered administration within Israel, demonstrating that the allocation was not arbitrary but a meticulously planned and executed divine act, ensuring stability and justice for generations. It shows the careful hand of God providing a secure dwelling place for His people, demonstrating His covenant love and provision in concrete geographical terms. The land was truly a heritage, secure and guaranteed, established for the future and prosperity of the tribe of Benjamin.