Joshua 19 25

Joshua 19:25 kjv

And their border was Helkath, and Hali, and Beten, and Achshaph,

Joshua 19:25 nkjv

And their territory included Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph,

Joshua 19:25 niv

Their territory included: Helkath, Hali, Beten, Akshaph,

Joshua 19:25 esv

Their territory included Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph,

Joshua 19:25 nlt

Its boundaries included these towns: Helkath, Hali, Beten, Acshaph,

Joshua 19 verses

Joshua 19 25 Meaning

Joshua 19:25 delineates a segment of the inheritance allotted to the tribe of Asher following the conquest of Canaan. Specifically, it lists four cities: Abdon, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, as belonging to Asher's territory. The verse then marks the northern extent of this tribal land as reaching "even unto great Zidon," signifying that Asher's boundary stretched to the proximity of this significant Phoenician city. This precise detailing of towns and boundaries underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to Israel concerning the land.

Joshua 19 25 Context

Joshua 19:25 is situated within the latter half of the book of Joshua, specifically within chapters 13-21, which meticulously detail the allocation of land among the twelve tribes of Israel after the initial conquest of Canaan. This particular verse is part of the account outlining the territory given to the tribe of Asher (Joshua 19:24-31). The broader historical context is the period of settlement in the promised land, emphasizing God's faithfulness in delivering on His covenant promise made generations earlier. The verse and its immediate surroundings detail precise geographical markers and cities, not just as mere inventories, but as a demonstration of the exact fulfillment of prophecy. The mention of "great Zidon" on Asher's boundary highlights both the extent of the promised land and the practical challenges Israel faced in fully possessing areas inhabited by powerful pagan city-states, a struggle that continued into the period of the Judges.

Joshua 19 25 Word analysis

• and Abdon (וְעַבְדּוֹן - `ve-Avdon): "And Abdon." The name Abdon likely means "service" or "servile." It was later designated as a Levitical city (Josh 21:30, 1 Chron 6:74), indicating a place significant for religious duties and the administration of justice among God's people within Asher's tribal area.
• and Rehob (וְרְחוֹב - `ve-Rehov): "And Rehob." Rehob means "broad place" or "street." It implies an open or prominent area, potentially on a trade route. Like Abdon, it also became a Levitical city for the Gershonite clan (Josh 21:31, 1 Chron 6:75), further highlighting its significance within the tribal layout. This Rehob is distinct from others in the Bible.
• and Hammon (וְחַמּוֹן - `ve-Hammon): "And Hammon." The etymology suggests "hot" or "sun." It might have been a site related to sun worship or known for its warm climate. Its primary importance here is as another named settlement definitively located within Asher's inheritance, although less prominent in other biblical narratives.
• and Kanah (וְקָנָה - `ve-Qanah): "And Kanah." Kanah means "reed" or "measuring rod." This name suggests a geographical feature like a reed-filled wadi or a significant marker used for demarcation. In this verse, it acts as an immediate precursor to the final border point, defining the trajectory of Asher's northern boundary.
• even unto (עַד - `ad): "Until" or "up to." This preposition precisely defines the limit or furthest extent of Asher's allotted territory in a northward direction.
• great Zidon (צִידוֹן רַבָּה - `Tzidon Rabbah): "Sidon the Great."
  • Zidon (Tzîdôn): An ancient, powerful Phoenician port city on the Mediterranean coast. It was a major center for trade, seafaring, and Baal worship. Its inclusion here marks the definitive northern geographical boundary for Asher, extending to the sphere of influence of a significant non-Israelite power.
  • great (רַבָּה - `Rabbah): An adjective emphasizing Sidon's size, influence, wealth, and strategic importance. It underscores that Asher's inheritance truly reached a formidable border, although complete possession of this key city proved to be a persistent challenge for the tribe, highlighting a theme of incomplete conquest later in Judges 1:31.

• "and Abdon, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah": This repetitive listing of cities serves as a comprehensive inventory of significant settlements within Asher's allocated territory. It confirms the precise and divinely ordained nature of the land division. The mention of cities like Abdon and Rehob, which became Levitical cities, signifies that Asher's inheritance was not just geographical but also intertwined with spiritual responsibility and the establishment of divine order.
• "even unto great Zidon": This phrase defines the geopolitical frontier of Asher's territory. The specificity of "great Zidon" as the border highlights both God's abundant provision, granting them land even to the threshold of such a dominant foreign city, and also implicitly foreshadows the ongoing challenges the Israelites would face. Their boundary was precisely defined by the presence of a powerful and unyielding pagan neighbor, setting a stage for future interactions and potential spiritual conflicts. This marks the culmination of their inheritance in that direction.

Joshua 19 25 Bonus section

• The meticulous geographic lists in Joshua, like this verse, provided the foundation for tribal identity and the census. They established clear boundaries essential for administrative purposes, legal land rights, and future military defense.
• The fact that cities like Abdon and Rehob within Asher's territory were designated as Levitical cities (Josh 21) shows that the tribal allotments were not merely about land possession, but also about establishing a national spiritual infrastructure. Levites living among the tribes would instruct them in God's law.
• The inclusion of "great Zidon" emphasizes the ongoing tension between God's ideal for Israel (complete possession and purity from pagan influence) and the practical realities of their settlement, which included constant proximity to powerful, un-conquered pagan nations. This would pose a recurring spiritual challenge, drawing the Israelites towards idolatry.
• The detailed geographical markers serve as historical validation of the biblical account, correlating with later archaeological and historical studies that help identify ancient sites.
• The concept of inherited land in the Old Testament foreshadows the New Testament concept of spiritual inheritance and rest found in Christ (Heb 4:1-11), where believers are promised a "land" or "rest" not based on physical conquest but on faith in God's promises.

Joshua 19 25 Commentary

Joshua 19:25 is a concise yet significant declaration of specific cities and a crucial boundary defining a portion of the tribe of Asher's inheritance in the promised land. It testifies to the meticulous detail with which God fulfilled His ancient promises, distributing the land through lots under Joshua's leadership. The listed towns—Abdon, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah—underscore the tangible reality of the divine grant, affirming that God provided precise locations for His people. The phrase "even unto great Zidon" highlights Asher's northernmost reach, bordering a prominent and powerful Phoenician city-state. This specific boundary, while indicative of the vastness of the promised territory, also carries theological weight, subtly hinting at the challenges Israel would face in fully dispossessing such formidable pagan strongholds (as evidenced in Judg 1:31). Ultimately, the verse illustrates God's faithfulness in providing a vast inheritance while also subtly preparing the reader for the subsequent narrative of human responsibility and obedience in securing that which was already given by divine decree.