Joshua 18:12
And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the mountains westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Beth-aven.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֨י
H1961
וַיְהִ֨י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַגְּבוּל֩
And their border
H1366
הַגְּבוּל֩
And their border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
לִפְאַ֥ת
side
H6285
לִפְאַ֥ת
side
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
מִצָּפ֗וֹן
on the north
H6828
מִצָּפ֗וֹן
on the north
Strong's:
H6828
Word #:
5 of 21
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן
was from Jordan
H3383
הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן
was from Jordan
Strong's:
H3383
Word #:
7 of 21
jarden, the principal river of palestine
וְעָלָ֤ה
side and went up
H5927
וְעָלָ֤ה
side and went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
8 of 21
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הַגְּבוּל֩
And their border
H1366
הַגְּבוּל֩
And their border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
כֶּ֨תֶף
to the side
H3802
כֶּ֨תֶף
to the side
Strong's:
H3802
Word #:
11 of 21
the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi
מִצָּפ֗וֹן
on the north
H6828
מִצָּפ֗וֹן
on the north
Strong's:
H6828
Word #:
13 of 21
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
וְעָלָ֤ה
side and went up
H5927
וְעָלָ֤ה
side and went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
14 of 21
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בָהָר֙
through the mountains
H2022
בָהָר֙
through the mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
15 of 21
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
יָ֔מָּה
westward
H3220
יָ֔מָּה
westward
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
16 of 21
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וְהָיָה֙
H1961
וְהָיָה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
17 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
תֹּֽצְאֹתָ֔יו
and the goings out
H8444
תֹּֽצְאֹתָ֔יו
and the goings out
Strong's:
H8444
Word #:
18 of 21
(only in plural collective) exit, i.e., (geographical) boundary, or (figuratively) deliverance, (actively) source
Cross References
Joshua 16:1And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout mount Beth-el,Joshua 7:2And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Beth-el, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.
Historical Context
This boundary description follows ancient Near Eastern legal conventions, using landmarks and cities as reference points. Jericho's ruins served as a visible border marker. The wilderness of Beth-aven lay near Ai, scene of Israel's defeat due to Achan's sin.
Questions for Reflection
- What spiritual landmarks in your past remind you of God's faithfulness?
- How can holy places or memories become corrupted, and how do we guard against this?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Their border on the north side was from Jordan—Benjamin's northern boundary begins at the Jordan River, marking their eastern entry point. The border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, passing the conquered city, then went up through the mountains westward into the central highlands. The goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Beth-aven defines the boundary's western terminus.
Jericho, Israel's first conquest, anchors Benjamin's territory. This reminds them perpetually of God's power and faithfulness. Beth-aven ('house of wickedness') may be a derogatory name for Bethel after its corruption (Hosea 4:15), showing how holy places can become defiled.