Joshua 18:13
And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which is Beth-el, southward; and the border descended to Ataroth-adar, near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Beth-horon.
Original Language Analysis
וְעָבַר֩
went over
H5674
וְעָבַר֩
went over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
1 of 22
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
מִשָּׁ֨ם
H8033
מִשָּׁ֨ם
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
2 of 22
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
הַגְּבוּל֙
And the border
H1366
הַגְּבוּל֙
And the border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
ל֙וּזָה֙
from thence toward Luz
H3870
ל֙וּזָה֙
from thence toward Luz
Strong's:
H3870
Word #:
4 of 22
luz, the name of two places in palestine
כֶּ֤תֶף
to the side
H3802
כֶּ֤תֶף
to the side
Strong's:
H3802
Word #:
6 of 22
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
ל֙וּזָה֙
from thence toward Luz
H3870
ל֙וּזָה֙
from thence toward Luz
Strong's:
H3870
Word #:
7 of 22
luz, the name of two places in palestine
מִנֶּ֥גֶב
southward
H5045
מִנֶּ֥גֶב
southward
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
8 of 22
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
הִ֖יא
H1931
הִ֖יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
9 of 22
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְיָרַ֤ד
descended
H3381
וְיָרַ֤ד
descended
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
12 of 22
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
הַגְּבוּל֙
And the border
H1366
הַגְּבוּל֙
And the border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָהָ֕ר
near the hill
H2022
הָהָ֕ר
near the hill
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
17 of 22
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מִנֶּ֥גֶב
southward
H5045
מִנֶּ֥גֶב
southward
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
19 of 22
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
Historical Context
Bethel ('house of God') became a major worship center, later corrupted under Jeroboam I who erected a golden calf there (1 Kings 12:29). The 'nether' (lower) Beth-horon was a strategic pass controlling the Jerusalem-coastal plain road, site of many biblical battles.
Questions for Reflection
- How do place names in your spiritual journey remind you of God's interventions?
- What danger exists when sacred places become associated with false worship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which is Beth-el, southward—Luz was Bethel's original Canaanite name. Jacob renamed it Beth-el ('house of God') after his vision of the ladder (Genesis 28:19). Including both names preserves historical memory. The border continues to Ataroth-adar, near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Beth-horon.
Bethel's mention connects Benjamin's inheritance to patriarchal history. Every boundary marker tells covenant story. The geography isn't random—it recalls Jacob's encounter with God, Abraham's altars, and divine promises. Believers likewise inherit a 'cloud of witnesses' (Hebrews 12:1) whose faith marks our spiritual landscape.