Joshua 13:16
And their coast was from Aroer, that is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain by Medeba;
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֨י
H1961
וַיְהִ֨י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַגְּב֗וּל
And their coast
H1366
הַגְּב֗וּל
And their coast
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
מֵֽעֲרוֹעֵ֡ר
was from Aroer
H6177
מֵֽעֲרוֹעֵ֡ר
was from Aroer
Strong's:
H6177
Word #:
4 of 17
aror, the name of three places in or near palestine
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שְׂפַת
that is on the bank
H8193
שְׂפַת
that is on the bank
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
7 of 17
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
הַנַּ֛חַל
of the river
H5158
הַנַּ֛חַל
of the river
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
8 of 17
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
אַרְנ֜וֹן
Arnon
H769
אַרְנ֜וֹן
Arnon
Strong's:
H769
Word #:
9 of 17
the arnon, a river east of the jordan, also its territory
וְהָעִ֨יר
and the city
H5892
וְהָעִ֨יר
and the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
10 of 17
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּתוֹךְ
that is in the midst
H8432
בְּתוֹךְ
that is in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
12 of 17
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הַנַּ֛חַל
of the river
H5158
הַנַּ֛חַל
of the river
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
13 of 17
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמִּישֹׁ֖ר
and all the plain
H4334
הַמִּישֹׁ֖ר
and all the plain
Strong's:
H4334
Word #:
15 of 17
a level, i.e., a plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a proper name of certain districts); figuratively, concord; also straightness, i.e., (
Cross References
Joshua 13:9From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon;Joshua 12:2Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon;
Historical Context
The Arnon River (modern Wadi Mujib) is a dramatic gorge cutting approximately 1,700 feet deep into the Transjordan plateau, flowing westward into the Dead Sea. Aroer's ruins still exist today. Medeba appears on the famous 6th-century Madaba Map mosaic. The Moabite Stone (9th century BC) mentions these same cities, confirming their historical significance in regional conflicts.
Questions for Reflection
- How do specific geographical boundaries in Scripture demonstrate God's attention to detail in fulfilling promises?
- What can we learn from God establishing clear boundaries for each tribe about the importance of defined roles and responsibilities?
- How does the conquest of fortified locations like Aroer demonstrate that no obstacle is too great when God fights for His people?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And their coast was from Aroer, that is on the bank of the river Arnon—Aroer (עֲרוֹעֵר) was a fortified city on the northern rim of the Arnon gorge, marking Reuben's southern boundary. The Arnon River (נַחַל אַרְנוֹן) served as a natural fortress, a deep canyon cutting through the Moabite plateau. This boundary had been established when Israel defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites (Numbers 21:24-26).
The city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain by Medeba—The "city in the midst of the river" likely refers to a fortress-city in the Arnon valley itself, strategically positioned. Medeba (מֵידְבָא) was a Moabite city about six miles south of Heshbon, sitting on the Transjordan plateau. These detailed geographical markers preserved tribal boundaries and documented God's faithfulness in giving specific territorial promises. Precision in boundaries prevented future disputes and demonstrated that God's promises are concrete, not abstract.