Joshua 24 30

Joshua 24:30 kjv

And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathserah, which is in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash.

Joshua 24:30 nkjv

And they buried him within the border of his inheritance at Timnath Serah, which is in the mountains of Ephraim, on the north side of Mount Gaash.

Joshua 24:30 niv

And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.

Joshua 24:30 esv

And they buried him in his own inheritance at Timnath-serah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain of Gaash.

Joshua 24:30 nlt

They buried him in the land he had been allocated, at Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.

Joshua 24 verses

Joshua 24 30 Meaning

This verse succinctly records the faithful and honored burial of Joshua, Israel's second great leader after Moses, within the land he helped Israel conquer and apportion. It marks the quiet conclusion of a monumental life dedicated to God's will, ensuring that his rest was in the very inheritance God promised and provided for His people, particularly within Joshua's own allotted territory in the heart of Israel.

Joshua 24 30 Context

Joshua chapter 24 serves as a pivotal closing to the book of Joshua. Following the division of the land among the tribes and the formal disbandment of the Transjordanian tribes to their inheritance, Joshua gathers all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. Here, he delivers his final charge, a poignant farewell speech summarizing God's faithfulness from Abraham to the conquest of Canaan and recounting God's covenant with Israel. Joshua challenges the people to choose whom they will serve—the Lord or the gods their ancestors served beyond the River—culminating in their affirmation, "We will serve the Lord." After establishing this covenant, Joshua records it in the Book of the Law and sets up a great stone as a witness. Immediately following this climactic renewal of the covenant, the book concludes with the quiet details of Joshua's death, burial, and the burial of Eleazar the priest, bringing the generation of the conquest to a close. Joshua 24:30 specifically details the precise location and manner of Joshua's burial, fulfilling earlier mentions of his personal inheritance and serving as a historical marker for the nation.

Joshua 24 30 Word analysis

• And: This simple conjunction (waw in Hebrew, וְ) links the previous narratives—the covenant renewal at Shechem, the dismissal of the tribes—to the personal conclusion of Joshua's life. It signifies a continuous historical progression and the seamless flow of events.
• they buried him: This phrase (wayyiqberu ot̃o in Hebrew, וַיִּקְבְּרוּ אֹתוֹ) implies an act of reverence and communal duty by the people of Israel, or specifically the leaders, for their faithful leader. Burial was a sacred and important ritual in ancient Israel, signifying respect, closure, and hope in a future gathering to their ancestors (e.g., Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob being "gathered to their people"). It highlights that Joshua's death was not sudden or obscure but was followed by a proper, honorable interment.
• in the border: The Hebrew word gevul (גְּבוּל) refers to a boundary or territory limit. Its use here indicates the precise location of his tomb relative to his inherited land, implying both possession and the establishment of his presence firmly within the territory he had helped to secure. This specific mention suggests the thoroughness of the land division and Joshua's legitimate claim to his allotted portion.
• of his inheritance: The Hebrew term nachalatov (נַחֲלָתוֹ) refers to his allotted portion or possession. This refers to Timnath-serah, which was given to him by God's command and by the people of Israel after the land was distributed (Josh 19:49-50). It underscores the principle that even the great leader received his portion as a divine gift, just like every other Israelite. It's a testament to the fulfillment of God's promise that everyone, including Joshua, would have a place of rest in the promised land.
• in Timnath-serah: The specific location. In Hebrew, it's Timnat Serach (תִּמְנַת סֶרַח). This place name means "portion of abundance" or "the remaining portion/excess." It was his specific allotted town. This precision underscores the historicity of the event and the fulfillment of the divine decree. The town itself was part of the territory of Ephraim. Later, in Judges 2:9, it is called Timnath-heres, meaning "portion of the sun," possibly a variant or a slightly different reference due to a change in the town's prominent features or perhaps a polemical shift against local sun worship.
• which is in mount Ephraim: This geographical specification (behar Ephrayim בְּהַר אֶפְרָיִם) situates Timnath-serah within the central highlands of Canaan, specifically within the tribal territory of Ephraim, where Joshua belonged. The "mount" or "hill country" of Ephraim was a significant region, central to Israel's history and future tribal dynamics, often serving as a stronghold. The naming implies that a leader from Ephraim was buried in his home territory. This also highlights Ephraim's centrality at that period, consistent with the Joseph tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh) being key recipients of blessing.

Joshua 24 30 Bonus section

The precise naming of "Timnath-serah" for Joshua's burial place, also found as "Timnath-heres" in Judges 2:9, has prompted scholarly discussion. While Timnat Serach could mean "portion of the remaining," hinting at an excess or remnant of the inheritance given to him after the others, Timnat Heres is often interpreted as "portion of the sun" (perhaps alluding to an image or monument). Some scholars propose that "Heres" (sun) might have been a later variant, potentially even a polemic, subtly replacing "Serah" (abundance) to disassociate the site from local idolatry associated with sun worship that might have taken root after the conquest period, thereby reminding the people of God's absolute sovereignty rather than allowing the place to be associated with pagan practices. However, this is largely speculative, and both names denote the same place given to Joshua, indicating his resting place was known and respected for generations. The clarity on his resting place further contrasts with Moses' unmarked grave, underlining Joshua's physical settlement in the promised land.

Joshua 24 30 Commentary

Joshua 24:30 provides the understated yet profoundly significant final record of Joshua’s life, fulfilling God’s word and bringing closure to an era. Unlike Moses, whose burial site remained unknown (Deut 34:6), Joshua's grave is meticulously specified, symbolizing the tangible fulfillment of God's land promises. He is buried in Timnath-serah, his personal inheritance within Ephraim, signifying that even the leader who led Israel into their promised land received his own portion by divine allotment, emphasizing God's justice and provision for every individual. This final act illustrates the pattern of faithful leadership: to lead, to serve God's purposes for a generation, and then to pass on the mantle, resting in the very promises that shaped their life's work. It marks the passing of the "conquest generation" and precedes the complex period described in the Book of Judges, serving as a transition point. Joshua's resting place in his inherited land echoes the faithfulness of Abraham who also acquired a burial plot in the land of promise (Gen 23), solidifying the theme of land possession and rest in God's fulfilled word.