Joshua 13:23
And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and the border thereof. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities and the villages thereof.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וּגְב֑וּל
And the border
H1366
וּגְב֑וּל
And the border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּגְב֑וּל
And the border
H1366
וּגְב֑וּל
And the border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
נַֽחֲלַ֤ת
thereof This was the inheritance
H5159
נַֽחֲלַ֤ת
thereof This was the inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָ֔ם
after their families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָ֔ם
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
11 of 13
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
Historical Context
Balaam came from Pethor in Mesopotamia (Numbers 22:5), indicating his international reputation as a diviner. Ancient inscriptions from Deir 'Alla (8th century BC) mention "Balaam son of Beor, the man who saw the gods," confirming his historical existence. His death occurred during Israel's punitive expedition against Midian (Numbers 31), shortly before crossing into Canaan, approximately 1406 BC.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Balaam's ability to prophesy truth while having a corrupt heart warn against equating spiritual gifts with spiritual maturity?
- What does Balaam's counsel to seduce Israel teach about indirect spiritual warfare when direct cursing fails?
- Why might God have included Balaam's death in a land boundary list rather than only in battle narratives?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword—Balaam (בִּלְעָם בֶּן־בְּעוֹר) appears as a tragic figure: a prophet who knew God's will yet loved wages of wickedness (2 Peter 2:15, Jude 11). The term ha-qosem (הַקֹּסֵם, "the soothsayer/diviner") is striking—though Balaam prophesied truth in Numbers 22-24, his character was that of a pagan diviner seeking profit. His death by sword (cherev, חֶרֶב) during the Midianite war (Numbers 31:8) came because he counseled Midian to seduce Israel into Baal worship (Numbers 31:16, Revelation 2:14).
Balaam epitomizes religious hypocrisy: speaking God's truth while undermining God's people for personal gain. His inclusion here, in Reuben's boundary list, serves as memorial warning. Every time Reubenites rehearsed their territorial boundaries, they remembered Balaam's fate—a false prophet destroyed "among them that were slain", categorized with God's enemies, not His servants. Orthodoxy without obedience leads to judgment.