Judges 2 9

Judges 2:9 kjv

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

Judges 2:9 nkjv

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

Judges 2:9 niv

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

Judges 2:9 esv

And they buried him within the boundaries of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain of Gaash.

Judges 2:9 nlt

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

Judges 2 verses

Judges 2 9 Meaning

Judges 2:9 recounts the burial of Joshua, the faithful leader of Israel who succeeded Moses, detailing his final resting place within his allotted tribal territory. This verse marks the solemn conclusion of Joshua's life and leadership, confirming his physical rest in the land promised by God, thereby closing a significant era of Israel's history under a committed and righteous guide.

Judges 2 9 Context

This verse is the concluding statement of Joshua's earthly life and burial, found at the very end of a significant pericope that begins in Judges 2:6, which summarizes Joshua's sending of the people to their inheritance, and the nation's service to the Lord during his lifetime. The preceding verses (Judg 2:6-8) describe the stability and faithfulness of Israel under Joshua's direct leadership. This verse, therefore, marks a solemn pivot. Its placement directly before the declaration in Judges 2:10—that "there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord"—underscores the tragic shift in Israel's spiritual trajectory. Joshua's burial closes the golden age of initial land conquest and covenant obedience, paving the way for the era of the Judges characterized by disobedience, foreign oppression, and cycles of deliverance. Historically, the burial site was a tangible sign of fulfilled promises and a landmark of tribal land allocation within the heart of Ephraim.

Judges 2 9 Word analysis

• And they buried him: This is an impersonal plural construction, signifying that it was a communal, collective act of burial, demonstrating respect for their departed leader. It indicates a formal process rather than a singular person performing the act.
• in the border of his inheritance:
  • border: gevul (גְּבוּל), meaning "boundary" or "territory," emphasizing a distinct limit within which Joshua received his portion.
  • his inheritance: naḥalah (נַחֲלָה), a key term signifying an allotted portion of land received as a divine gift or ancestral right, particularly significant in the context of Israel's promised land. This underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to Joshua personally (Josh 19:49-50). It speaks to Joshua's personal reward for his leadership and loyalty, rooted in the foundational promise to Abraham.
• in Timnathheres:
  • Timnath-heres (תִּמְנַת חֶרֶס). This place name is recorded as Timnath-serah (תִּמְנַת סֶרַח) in Joshua 19:50 and Joshua 24:30. The slight difference (heres vs. serah) could stem from a scribal variation or a shift in the local understanding of the name over time. Heres means "portion of the sun" (or "potsherd," "earthenware") and serah means "portion of abundance/remainder." Regardless of the linguistic nuance, it confirms the specific, geographical location in Joshua's tribal area where he took possession.
• in the mount of Ephraim: har Ephraim (הַר אֶפְרָיִם). This specifies the larger geographical region within the central highlands of Canaan where the tribe of Ephraim was allotted their territory. It was a strategic, elevated region often associated with leadership (e.g., Deborah).
• on the north side of the hill Gaash: mitsphon lagiv'at Ga'ash (מִצְּפוֹן לְגִבְעַת גַּעַשׁ). This provides the precise pinpoint location of the burial site. Ga'ash (גַּעַשׁ) means "shaking" or "quake," which might suggest a place historically prone to seismic activity or a place name derived from a significant event, though the Scripture does not elaborate further. This detail further establishes the reality and specificity of Joshua's resting place, reinforcing the historicity of the narrative.

Word Group/Phrase Analysis:

• "buried him in the border of his inheritance": This phrase highlights Joshua's belonging to the land that he, through God's power, helped Israel possess. It confirms God's promise fulfilled not just for Israel collectively but also for Joshua individually. It is a symbol of having entered and taken hold of what was promised.
• "Timnath-heres... Mount of Ephraim... hill Gaash": These specific geographical markers ground the narrative in concrete reality, reinforcing the historical truth of the account. It allows the original audience to connect the story to their own tribal lands and established landmarks. The detail is purposeful, affirming the fulfillment of promises.

Judges 2 9 Bonus section

The textual variation between Timnath-heres (Judges 2:9) and Timnath-serah (Joshua 19:50; 24:30) for Joshua's burial place has been discussed by scholars. While some propose it is merely a textual corruption, others suggest a renaming of the location over time, possibly reflecting an interpretive or even theological shift. Timnath-heres ("portion of the sun") could be interpreted as a polemic against sun worship by some later tradition, though Timnath-serah ("portion of plenty") better reflects a blessed inheritance. This variation, however, does not diminish the central point: Joshua was buried in the specific portion of land God allotted to him, a clear sign of God's faithfulness and Joshua's unique place among the tribal leaders. This precise localization affirms the historical grounding of the narrative and the ultimate fulfillment of the land promise, reinforcing the reality of God's interaction with His people.

Judges 2 9 Commentary

Judges 2:9 succinctly marks the end of an unparalleled period of unified leadership and covenant faithfulness under Joshua. His burial, described with careful geographical specificity within his own inherited portion of Ephraim, underscores several key points. Firstly, it testifies to the complete fulfillment of God's promise, not only for the nation as a whole in receiving the land but also for Joshua personally. He had diligently served, and in death, he literally rested within the fruits of that divine promise. Secondly, the detailed location serves to historically root the narrative, connecting the grand biblical history to tangible landmarks known to the original audience, thus affirming the reliability of the account. Thirdly, and most significantly within the context of the book of Judges, Joshua's death forms a critical dividing line. The detailed farewell, followed by his internment, serves as a poignant precursor to the impending spiritual decline described immediately thereafter. Joshua, as "the servant of the Lord," leaves behind a generation that understood God and His mighty acts, and his departure signals the loss of direct, unifying leadership, leading directly to the vacuum of spiritual knowledge that characterized the subsequent era of apostasy. His burial symbolizes the conclusion of a righteous leadership era, setting the stage for the tumultuous period that follows.