Joshua 19 28

Joshua 19:28 kjv

And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto great Zidon;

Joshua 19:28 nkjv

including Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, as far as Greater Sidon.

Joshua 19:28 niv

It went to Abdon, Rehob, Hammon and Kanah, as far as Greater Sidon.

Joshua 19:28 esv

Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, Kanah, as far as Sidon the Great.

Joshua 19:28 nlt

Abdon, Rehob, Hammon, Kanah, and as far as Greater Sidon.

Joshua 19 verses

Joshua 19 28 Meaning

Joshua 19:28 details a section of the northern boundary of the tribal allotment for Asher, listing a sequence of cities that mark its course. This verse specifies towns like Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, Kanah, leading up to the prominent Phoenician city of Zidon (Sidon), then curving towards Ramah, reaching the fortified city of Tyre, continuing to Hosah, and finally terminating at the sea near the region of Achzib. It defines a coastal and inland strip of territory assigned to the Asherites, encompassing significant Phoenician power centers, reflecting both the vastness of the divine promise and the formidable challenges to Israel's complete possession.

Joshua 19 28 Context

Joshua chapter 19 describes the allocation of land to the remaining seven tribes of Israel after Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had received their inheritance east of the Jordan, and Judah and Ephraim/Manasseh received theirs in the west. Verses 24-31 detail the specific boundaries and cities given to the tribe of Asher. This portion of Scripture is a detailed topographical description, reflecting the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land of Canaan to Abraham's descendants. The meticulous listing of geographical points like Ebron, Zidon, and Tyre in verse 28 underscores the precise nature of the divinely ordained inheritance. Historically, the area allotted to Asher, particularly the northern coastal plain, was highly fertile and strategically important, bordering powerful maritime nations like the Phoenicians in Sidon and Tyre. Despite the allocation, Asher, along with other northern tribes, largely failed to fully dispossess the original inhabitants of these strong cities, leading to an enduring tension between the promised inheritance and the realized possession, as explicitly highlighted later in Judges.

Joshua 19 28 Word analysis

• Ebron (עֶבְרוֹן, Evron): Likely corresponds to Abdon, a Levitical city mentioned in Josh 21:30. Its exact location is debated, but generally placed in the fertile coastal region of Asher's lot. The name means "pass over" or "crossing," possibly indicating a geographical feature or historical crossing point.
• Rehob (רְחֹב, Reḥov): Meaning "broad place" or "street." A common place name in the Bible, this specific Rehob for Asher's border is different from others. It implies an area of open land or a settled place within the border definition.
• Hammon (חַמּוֹן, Ḥammon): Its meaning possibly relates to "hot" or "sun" (chamam). Some suggest a connection to solar deity worship, but here it simply marks a place name along the border, likely a small town.
• Kanah (קָנָה, Qanah): Means "reed" or "stalk." Likely a town named for the vegetation found in its vicinity. It helps define the inner boundary leading toward the more significant Phoenician coastal areas.
• unto great Zidon (עַד־צִידוֹן רַבָּה, ad-Tzidon Rabbah):
  • Zidon (צִידוֹן, Tzidon): An ancient and prominent Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast. Its name derives from a root meaning "to fish" or "hunting."
  • great (רַבָּה, Rabbah): An adjective signifying "numerous," "powerful," or "magnificent." The term highlights Sidon's status as a significant urban and maritime power. Its inclusion as part of Asher's theoretical border indicates the extent of God's promised land, though Asher's full control was not realized (Jdg 1:31).
• the coast turneth to Ramah (וְנָסַב הַגְּבוּל רָמָה, veNasav haGvul Ramah):
  • coast (הַגְּבוּל, haGvul): The border or boundary.
  • turneth (וְנָסַב, veNasav): Literally "and it encircled/turned." This verb suggests a winding or curving movement of the border, not a straight line, adapting to geographical features.
  • Ramah (רָמָה, Ramah): Meaning "height" or "high place." Indicates another elevated landmark along the boundary, likely a fortified town.
• and to the strong city Tyre (עַד־עִיר מִבְצַר צוֹר, 'ad-'Ir Mivtzar Tzor):
  • city (עִיר, 'Ir): A settlement of considerable size and importance.
  • strong (מִבְצַר, Mivtzar): Literally "fortress," a "fortified place." This emphasizes Tyre's formidable defenses and strategic importance, further highlighting the challenge for the Asherites.
  • Tyre (צוֹר, Tzor): Another powerful Phoenician port city, south of Sidon, famed for its maritime trade and fortifications. Its name means "rock," possibly referring to its island location or rocky coast.
• and the coast turneth to Hosah (וְנָסַב הַגְּבוּל חֹסָה, veNasav haGvul Hosah):
  • Hosah (חֹסָה, Ḥosah): Means "refuge" or "shelter." It marks another point where the border shifts, before finally extending to the sea.
• and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib: (וְהָיוּ תֹצְאֹתָיו הַיָּמָּה מֵחֶבֶל אַכְזִיב, veHahayu Totza'otav haYammah meHevel Akhziv)
  • outgoings thereof (תֹצְאֹתָיו, Totza'otav): Literally "its outgoings" or "its exits." Refers to the end points or termini of the border.
  • at the sea (הַיָּמָּה, haYammah): Towards or by the sea, the ultimate natural boundary on the west.
  • from the coast (מֵחֶבֶל, meHevel): From the "rope" or "territory/tract of land." This indicates a specific district or measuring line.
  • Achzib (אַכְזִיב, Akhzib): Meaning "deceitful" or "lie." A coastal city also within Asher's tribal territory. Its inclusion in this boundary line emphasizes its significance as a landmark before the final demarcation at the sea.

Joshua 19 28 Bonus section

The coastal territory allotted to Asher was immensely fertile, especially known for olive oil production. This region was rich in natural resources, which made it highly desirable but also challenging to conquer, as its existing inhabitants had thriving economies tied to maritime trade and agriculture. The presence of Sidon and Tyre within Asher's conceptual boundaries suggests a significant opportunity for the Israelites to establish influence over powerful trading routes and contribute to their own economic prosperity, had they fully possessed the land. This detail points to the missed blessings resulting from Israel's disobedience and incomplete conquest. Furthermore, the inclusion of these Gentile cities highlights a recurring pattern in the Bible where God's ultimate plan of blessing extends even to non-Israelite peoples, though in this case, the immediate context emphasizes Israel's responsibility in possessing the land for Him.

Joshua 19 28 Commentary

Joshua 19:28 offers a precise geographic description of Asher's northern and western boundaries, emphasizing significant Phoenician cities like "great Zidon" and the "strong city Tyre." This precision is typical of land grants in the ancient Near East, highlighting God's faithfulness in delivering a promised inheritance. The divine ideal, as laid out in these verses, granted Asher access to a rich coastal plain known for its fertile soil and olive groves (consistent with Jacob's blessing in Gen 49:20).

However, this verse stands in poignant tension with subsequent biblical accounts, particularly in Judges 1:31, which explicitly states that Asher "did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants of Sidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob." This reveals a profound gap between the divine allocation and the human reality of possession. The formidable strength of Zidon and Tyre, noted by the very descriptions "great" and "strong city," presented a challenge the Asherites were unwilling or unable to overcome. Their failure to fully dispossess these inhabitants stemmed from a lack of faith, obedience, and collective resolve. This non-conquest led to prolonged exposure to idolatry and foreign influences, which contributed to Israel's future spiritual declension.

Therefore, this seemingly mundane list of cities and borders serves as a foundational reference point. It underscores that God fulfilled His promise by providing the land. The subsequent inability of Asher and other tribes to fully occupy their given inheritance underscores the vital spiritual lesson that divine blessing requires human faith and obedience for its complete realization. This situation created a spiritual "test" (Jdg 3:1-4), where the lingering Canaanite presence would challenge Israel's faithfulness to the covenant.