Joshua 19 22

Joshua 19:22 kjv

And the coast reacheth to Tabor, and Shahazimah, and Bethshemesh; and the outgoings of their border were at Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages.

Joshua 19:22 nkjv

And the border reached to Tabor, Shahazimah, and Beth Shemesh; their border ended at the Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages.

Joshua 19:22 niv

The boundary touched Tabor, Shahazumah and Beth Shemesh, and ended at the Jordan. There were sixteen towns and their villages.

Joshua 19:22 esv

The boundary also touches Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth-shemesh, and its boundary ends at the Jordan ? sixteen cities with their villages.

Joshua 19:22 nlt

The boundary also touched Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth-shemesh, ending at the Jordan River ? sixteen towns with their surrounding villages.

Joshua 19 verses

Joshua 19 22 Meaning

Joshua 19:22 delineates a portion of the eastern border of the tribal territory allotted to Issachar. It specifically highlights how this boundary reaches significant landmarks such as Mount Tabor, an unknown locality named Sahazim, and the city of Bethshemesh. The verse further clarifies that the extreme limits ("outgoings") of this border extended to the Jordan River, establishing it as the definitive eastern boundary. Within this described region, four specific cities, along with their associated surrounding villages, are mentioned as integral parts of Issachar's inheritance.

Joshua 19 22 Context

Joshua 19 records the detailed allotment of land to the remaining seven Israelite tribes, following the distribution to Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh. Specifically, verses 17-23 describe the territory assigned to the tribe of Issachar, the fourth lot cast. This chapter exemplifies the meticulous process of dividing the Promised Land by lot among the tribes, supervised by Joshua and Eleazar the priest, thus fulfilling God's ancient covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joshua 19:22 zeroes in on a segment of Issachar's eastern border, delineating it with specific geographical markers and listing key settlements within this allocated domain. It reflects the administrative and geographical precision required in establishing tribal identities and claims in the newly acquired land, ensuring that God's plan for settlement was realized in concrete terms.

Joshua 19 22 Word analysis

• And the border reaches (וְהָיָה גְּבוּלָם יָצָא wəhāyāh gəḇūlām yāṣāʾ - "and their boundary went out"): The Hebrew phrase emphasizes the extension and definite drawing of the boundary. It conveys the idea of a fixed and legally defined line emanating from the established points. "Reaches" (from yāṣāʾ) implies extending or coming forth, marking the definite path of the boundary.
• to Tabor (לְתָבוֹר ləṯāḇōr): Refers to Mount Tabor, a prominent isolated conical mountain in Lower Galilee. Its strategic location made it a significant landmark and battleground (e.g., Judg 4). Its name might mean "height" or "belly" due to its shape. As a border marker, it underscored the physical reality and identifiable nature of the boundaries. It served as a landmark accessible and recognized by all.
• and Sahazim (וְשַׁחֲצִים wəšaḥăṣîm): An unidentified locality, likely a village or town near Mount Tabor. Its precise location is debated by scholars, suggesting it might have been a minor or less enduring settlement compared to the other landmarks. The name's etymology is uncertain, possibly relating to "lion" (as in places for lions) or "shades/depths." Its inclusion shows the meticulous detail of the territorial descriptions.
• and Bethshemesh (וּבֵית שֶׁמֶשׁ ûḇêṯ Šemeš): Meaning "house of the sun," indicating a probable former center for sun worship, or simply a place named after the sun. This specific Bethshemesh is in the territory of Issachar, distinct from the more famous Bethshemesh in Judah (e.g., 1 Sam 6) or the Egyptian Heliopolis (also called Bethshemesh by Jeremiah, Jer 43:13). Its incorporation into Israel's divinely appointed land symbolically asserted God's dominion over pagan religious sites, reclaiming them for the Lord.
• and the outgoings (וְהָיָה תוֹצְאוֹת wəhāyāh tōṣeʾōṯ - "and their going out/exits/boundary lines"): This term reinforces the concept of fixed, defined extremities or borders. It highlights that the line was not vague but specifically terminated or flowed to a clear point.
• of their border were at the Jordan (גְּבוּלָם לַיַּרְדֵּן gəḇûlām layyarden): This signifies that the Jordan River formed the easternmost boundary of Issachar's inheritance. The Jordan River was not only a significant geographical feature but also a crucial theological and historical boundary, separating the tribes in Transjordan from those in Canaan proper, marking the entry into the Promised Land. It served as a natural and unmistakable delimiter.
• four cities (אַרְבַּע עָרִים ʾarbaʿ ʿārîm): The precise numerical reference to the cities emphasizes the clarity and definiteness of the inheritance. While the previous verse (v.21) mentions more cities as central to Issachar's lot, these four likely relate specifically to this delineated eastern boundary section or are particularly notable settlements within this eastern corridor.
• with their villages (וְחַצְרֵיהֶן wəḥaṣrêhen - "and their courtyards/settlements/dependent villages"): This phrase signifies that the inheritance included not just the primary cities but also all their surrounding dependent communities, hamlets, farmlands, and pasturelands. This ensured a comprehensive and agriculturally viable territory for the tribe. It indicates complete ownership and jurisdiction over the area surrounding the urban centers.

Joshua 19 22 Bonus section

The act of casting lots for land distribution (as mentioned in Jos 18:10 and Num 26:55) affirmed divine sovereignty over the inheritance of the Promised Land. It removed any potential for human favoritism or disputes, attributing the allocation to God's ultimate guidance. This was a critical aspect of establishing order and peace among the tribes. The concept of "cities with their villages" reveals the typical ancient Near Eastern settlement pattern, where urban centers served as administrative and economic hubs for surrounding smaller agricultural communities, ensuring sustainable livelihood for the inhabitants. While the text meticulously describes the boundaries, subsequent biblical accounts, like those in Judges, show that the tribes, including Issachar, did not always fully dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants (Judg 1:30), highlighting a recurring challenge of obedience to God's full command even when given their inheritance.

Joshua 19 22 Commentary

Joshua 19:22 is a precise cadastral description, illustrating the meticulous fulfillment of God's promise to Israel regarding their land inheritance. It underscores the divine Providence in orchestrating the settlement of the tribes by detailing Issachar's eastern border. The specific mention of Tabor highlights the geographical realities and recognizable landmarks, anchoring the promise in tangible territory. The inclusion of Bethshemesh, a potential former pagan cult center, signals Israel's claim over areas once associated with sun worship, bringing them under the sphere of the One True God. The definitive extension of the boundary to the Jordan River, and the exact count of four cities with their associated villages, speaks to the divine order, thoroughness, and sufficiency of the allocated portions, reflecting God's faithfulness to His covenant promises in providing a complete and livable inheritance for His people.