Joshua 19 29

Joshua 19:29 kjv

And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:

Joshua 19:29 nkjv

And the border turned to Ramah and to the fortified city of Tyre; then the border turned to Hosah, and ended at the sea by the region of Achzib.

Joshua 19:29 niv

The boundary then turned back toward Ramah and went to the fortified city of Tyre, turned toward Hosah and came out at the Mediterranean Sea in the region of Akzib,

Joshua 19:29 esv

Then the boundary turns to Ramah, reaching to the fortified city of Tyre. Then the boundary turns to Hosah, and it ends at the sea; Mahalab, Achzib,

Joshua 19:29 nlt

Then the boundary turned toward Ramah and the fortress of Tyre, where it turned toward Hosah and came to the Mediterranean Sea. The territory also included Mehebel, Aczib,

Joshua 19 verses

Joshua 19 29 Meaning

This verse precisely defines a portion of the western boundary for the tribe of Asher, tracing its course northward along the Phoenician coast. It specifies significant markers such as Ramah, the formidable city of Tyre, Hosah, and indicates that the boundary terminates at the Mediterranean Sea, extending from the vicinity of Achzib. This detail underscores God's meticulous fulfillment of His covenant promise to provide inherited land for each tribe of Israel.

Joshua 19 29 Context

Joshua 19 meticulously details the final distributions of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel, completing the land allocation initiated in earlier chapters. This specific verse falls within the section describing the territory allotted to the tribe of Asher (Josh 19:24-31). The historical context is post-conquest but pre-complete subjugation, where the precise borders are defined by divine decree, even if certain strongholds within or on the very edges of those borders remained unconquered by Israel for some time. Asher's territory was situated in the north, along the Mediterranean coast, a region renowned for its fertile plains and its proximity to major Phoenician cities like Tyre and Sidon. The verse therefore delineates part of the northern and western frontier, emphasizing the detailed nature of the promised inheritance given by God.

Joshua 19 29 Word analysis

• Then the border (וְגָלָה גְּבוּל – vegalah gevul):
  • `גְּבוּל` (gevul): Refers to a definite limit, boundary, or territory. In biblical context, boundaries are divinely established, not merely human designations, signifying the God-given nature of the land and its division (e.g., Deut 19:14, Prov 22:28).
  • `גָלָה` (galah - from the root `פָנָה`, panah - "turned" or "departed"): The Qal perfect third feminine singular form can mean "to go away," "to depart," "to turn." Here, it describes the directional flow of the boundary line, indicating its precision.
• turns to Ramah (לְרָמָה – leramah):
  • `רָמָה` (Ramah): Means "height" or "high place." Multiple places bear this name in Israel. This Ramah is situated in Asher's territory, possibly different from other Ramahs in Benjamin or Naphtali, indicating specific geographic knowledge of the original text.
• and to the fortified city of Tyre (וְעַד־עִיר מִבְצַר צֹר – ve'ad-'iyr mivtzar Tsor):
  • `עִיר` ('iyr): "City."
  • `מִבְצַר` (mivtzar): "Fortress" or "stronghold." The inclusion of this adjective highlights Tyre's formidable defenses, emphasizing its status as a major Phoenician power that largely remained independent despite bordering Israelite territory (cf. Josh 13:4-6, Judg 1:31). Tyre was a prominent trading port and later known for its prophetic condemnation (Isa 23, Eze 26-28).
  • `צֹר` (Tsor): The Hebrew name for Tyre. Its mention here acknowledges its proximity and the de jure claim Israel had to this territory, even if de facto possession was not fully achieved.
• then the border turns to Hosah (וְשָׁב הַגְּבוּל חֹסָה – veshav haggevul Hosah):
  • `שָׁב` (shav): "Turns back," "returns." Continues to describe the winding nature of the boundary, marking another significant geographical point.
  • `חֹסָה` (Hosah): A less well-known locality in Asher's territory, again pointing to the precise, granular details of the boundary survey. Its mention highlights the minute details of the land descriptions.
• and its termination is at the sea (וְהָיוּ תּוֹצְאֹתָיו הַיָּמָּה – vehayu totze'otayv hayyamah):
  • `תּוֹצְאֹתָיו` (totze'otayv): Literally "its goings out" or "its exits," referring to its ultimate ends or boundaries. This plural form indicates the multiple points where the boundary "exits" or terminates at a major feature.
  • `הַיָּמָּה` (hayyamah): "To the sea" or "at the sea." Refers to the Mediterranean Sea, Israel's natural western boundary, emphasizing its status as a definitive geographical marker (e.g., Num 34:6).
• from the territory of Achzib (מֵחֶבֶל אַכְזִיב – mechevel Akhziv):
  • `חֶבֶל` (chevel): "Measuring line," then by extension, "a measured portion" or "territory/region." Indicates a defined administrative or geographical district.
  • `אַכְזִיב` (Akhzib): Another Canaanite city in Asher's lot (Judg 1:31). Though listed as belonging to Asher, it was another city whose inhabitants were not fully driven out, underscoring the ongoing challenge of possession (Josh 13:4, Judg 1:31). Its inclusion confirms the meticulous description of the allocated inheritance.

Joshua 19 29 Bonus section

The inclusion of powerful Canaanite cities like Tyre within the divinely appointed boundaries, yet their historical retention of independence, highlights a recurring theme in the book of Joshua and Judges: God grants the inheritance, but humanity's faithfulness and obedience determine its full possession. This situation provided a continuous challenge and potential source of syncretism for the tribe of Asher, given Tyre's deep ties to Phoenician polytheism and sea trade. It implies a 'line in the sand' drawn by God for His people, demanding their complete faithfulness in clearing out the spiritual and physical remnants of idolatry, a task they often failed (Judg 1:31-32).

Joshua 19 29 Commentary

Joshua 19:29 vividly illustrates the meticulous detail with which God delineated the land inheritance for the tribe of Asher. It is more than a simple geographical description; it underscores divine faithfulness in providing every specific parameter of the promised land. The precision of "turns," "fortified city," "termination," and "territory" reflects the unwavering nature of God's covenant and His precise fulfillment of His word given to Abraham and Moses. The mention of "Tyre" and "Achzib," however, also subtly alludes to the Israelites' partial failure in completely possessing their allotted territory, despite the divine gift and command. This served as a constant reminder that while the land was God-given, its full occupation required obedient and courageous effort. It stands as a testament to God's generous provision and the ongoing human responsibility in appropriating divine blessings, foreshadowing the need for diligence in entering one's spiritual inheritance.