Joshua 18:16
And the border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south, and descended to En-rogel,
Original Language Analysis
וְיָרַ֖ד
and descended
H3381
וְיָרַ֖ד
and descended
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
1 of 25
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
הַגְּב֜וּל
And the border
H1366
הַגְּב֜וּל
And the border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
2 of 25
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
הָהָ֗ר
of the mountain
H2022
הָהָ֗ר
of the mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
5 of 25
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 25
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 #:
7 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵי֙
that lieth before
H6440
פְּנֵי֙
that lieth before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 25
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
גֵּ֨י
the valley
H1516
גֵּ֨י
the valley
Strong's:
H1516
Word #:
9 of 25
a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
בֶן
of the son
H1121
בֶן
of the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 25
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּעֵ֥מֶק
and which is in the valley
H6010
בְּעֵ֥מֶק
and which is in the valley
Strong's:
H6010
Word #:
13 of 25
a vale (i.e., broad depression)
צָפ֑וֹנָה
on the north
H6828
צָפ֑וֹנָה
on the north
Strong's:
H6828
Word #:
15 of 25
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
וְיָרַ֖ד
and descended
H3381
וְיָרַ֖ד
and descended
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
16 of 25
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
גֵּ֨י
the valley
H1516
גֵּ֨י
the valley
Strong's:
H1516
Word #:
17 of 25
a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
כֶּ֤תֶף
to the side
H3802
כֶּ֤תֶף
to the side
Strong's:
H3802
Word #:
20 of 25
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
נֶ֔גְבָּה
on the south
H5045
נֶ֔גְבָּה
on the south
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
22 of 25
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
Cross References
2 Kings 23:10And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.Isaiah 30:33For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.
Historical Context
Hinnom Valley bordered Jerusalem on the south and west. By Jesus' time, its Hebrew name Ge-Hinnom (Gehenna) universally symbolized final judgment due to its association with idolatry and perpetual fires. The Rephaim were gigantic inhabitants conquered by David (2 Samuel 5:18-22).
Questions for Reflection
- How do places associated with evil in your past become reminders of God's deliverance?
- What does Hinnom's transformation from border marker to judgment symbol teach about sin's consequences?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom—The Valley of Hinnom (Hebrew Gei ben-Hinnom, גֵּי בֶן־הִנֹּם) became notorious as Jerusalem's garbage dump and later a site of child sacrifice to Molech (2 Kings 23:10). Its Greek name, Gehenna, became Jesus' primary metaphor for hell.
The valley of the giants (Emek Rephaim) references the pre-Israelite inhabitants. The border descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south—Jebusi being Jerusalem—then to En-rogel (Fuller's Spring). These ominous place names remind Israel of conquered enemies and conquered evil.