Joshua 19 16

Joshua 19:16 kjv

This is the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according to their families, these cities with their villages.

Joshua 19:16 nkjv

This was the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according to their families, these cities with their villages.

Joshua 19:16 niv

These towns and their villages were the inheritance of Zebulun, according to its clans.

Joshua 19:16 esv

This is the inheritance of the people of Zebulun, according to their clans ? these cities with their villages.

Joshua 19:16 nlt

The homeland allocated to the clans of the tribe of Zebulun included these towns and their surrounding villages.

Joshua 19 verses

Joshua 19 16 Meaning

Joshua 19:16 details a specific segment of the northern border for the tribe of Issachar. It meticulously traces the boundary line from the vicinity of Mount Tabor towards the Jordan River, explicitly naming three significant locations along this defined perimeter: Chesseloth-tabor, Daberath, and Japhia. This precise geographical description emphasizes the concrete and undeniable fulfillment of God's promise to grant a specific land inheritance to the tribes of Israel, demonstrating divine faithfulness and the security of their possession within the divinely appointed territory.

Joshua 19 16 Context

Joshua 19:16 is found within the latter part of the book of Joshua, specifically chapters 13-19, which meticulously record the allocation of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. This particular verse is part of the detailed description of the inheritance given to the tribe of Issachar, as specified in Joshua 19:17-23. The land division, executed by lot under Joshua and Eleazar the priest, was not arbitrary but followed divine direction, fulfilling the promises made to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) that their descendants would inherit the land of Canaan. Historically, this period marks Israel's transition from a nomadic or wilderness-dwelling people to a settled nation, embodying God's faithfulness in providing a secure homeland after centuries of promise and miraculous deliverance from Egypt. The precise listing of geographical landmarks in such verses served as a legal record and divinely sanctioned deed, validating each tribe's rightful claim and discouraging future disputes over territory.

Joshua 19 16 Word analysis

• And the border (וְהַגְּבוּל, ve-ha-gevul):

  • gevul (גְּבוּל) means "border," "boundary," or "territory." In this context, it refers to the demarcation line of tribal inheritance.
  • Significance: These are not mere arbitrary lines but divinely ordained boundaries, marking the limits of the God-given possession. The consistent use of gevul throughout Joshua's land descriptions underscores the precision and authority behind the division.

• reached to (וְיָצָא אֶל־, ve-yatza el-):

  • yatza (יָצָא) means "went out," "proceeded," "extended," or "reached."
  • Significance: The verb depicts the active extension and movement of the boundary line across the terrain, indicating a surveyed and tangible progression, not just static points.

• the Jordan (הַיַּרְדֵּן, ha-Yarden):

  • Yarden (יַרְדֵּן) refers to the Jordan River.
  • Significance: A major geographical feature, the Jordan River often served as a natural border for territories east and west, and represented a significant barrier overcome during the Exodus into the Promised Land (Josh 3-4). Its mention defines a significant eastern marker for Issachar's border.

• at Chesseloth-tabor (לְחַכְסְלוֹת תָּבוֹר, le-Chakselot Tavor):

  • Chakselot Tavor (חַכְסְלוֹת תָּבוֹר) translates to "the loins of Tabor" or "flanks of Tabor." It indicates a location near the base or slope of Mount Tabor.
  • Tabor (תָּבוֹר): A distinctive, isolated mountain in Lower Galilee, west of the Jordan Valley, serving as a prominent landmark. It was known as a strategic point and was also famous in later Israelite history (Judg 4).
  • Significance: Pinpoints the boundary near a well-known, visible natural feature, grounding the abstract line in specific topography.

• and went out to (וְיָצָא אֶל־, ve-yatza el-):

  • Repeats the verb yatza ("went out," "extended").
  • Significance: Reinforces the continuous, traceable nature of the boundary's progression.

• Daberath (דָּבְרַת, Daberath):

  • A town specifically mentioned as a Levitical city in 1 Chr 6:72 (along with Chesseloth).
  • Significance: The inclusion of this town confirms that these boundary markers were not just natural features but settled human habitations, often important centers or later designated for priestly families. Its presence grounds the boundary in a place of habitation and possibly spiritual significance.

• and went up to (וְעָלָה אֶל־, ve-alah el-):

  • alah (עָלָה) means "went up," "ascended," "came up."
  • Significance: Suggests an elevation change, indicating that the boundary line traced the topography of the land, moving upwards to the next point. This shows an acute awareness of the landscape.

• Japhia (יָפִיעַ, Yafia):

  • A location whose exact meaning is not definitive, possibly "splendid" or "bright." Its specific site is generally uncertain but it signifies another precise point on Issachar's frontier.
  • Significance: It's another named place, possibly a settlement or a local landmark, further solidifying the exact course of the boundary line as a precise and well-documented claim.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "The border reached to the Jordan at Chesseloth-tabor, and went out to Daberath, and went up to Japhia": This phrase details a multi-segmented boundary line for Issachar. It underscores the precision and divine care in the allocation of territory, demonstrating God's faithfulness in a very concrete way. The repetition of verbs like "went out" (yatza) and the change to "went up" (alah) indicates the practical process of surveying and mapping the land, with an awareness of its varied terrain. This level of geographical specificity serves as an official record of the inheritance, leaving no room for doubt about the limits of Issachar's divinely given property. It conveys a strong sense of ownership and the fulfillment of promises.

Joshua 19 16 Bonus section

• The meticulous detailing of boundaries throughout Joshua (chapters 13-19) reinforces the theme of God's sovereignty over the earth and His intentionality in assigning specific territories.
• The inclusion of specific towns like Daberath (which became a Levitical city, 1 Chr 6:72) highlights the interconnectedness of the tribal, administrative, and religious aspects of Israel's life within their God-given land.
• This verse, like many others in these chapters, functions as an enduring record and legal charter for the tribe of Issachar, validating their ancestral inheritance in a tangible way for generations to come.

Joshua 19 16 Commentary

Joshua 19:16, while seemingly a dry list of geographical names, is profoundly significant. It portrays God's meticulous fulfillment of His ancient promises to Israel concerning the land. The painstaking detail of the tribal boundaries, specifically for Issachar, underscores the tangible reality of God's covenant faithfulness. These aren't just lines on a map; they are the physical manifestation of divine provision and sovereign allocation. The precise identification of landmarks like Chesseloth-tabor and Daberath signifies a permanent, legal, and undisputed claim to their inheritance. It communicates that God's word is precise, reliable, and entirely dependable, providing security and identity for His people in their land.