Joshua 18:17

Authorized King James Version

And was drawn from the north, and went forth to En-shemesh, and went forth toward Geliloth, which is over against the going up of Adummim, and descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְתָאַ֣ר
And was drawn
to delineate; reflexive to extend
#2
מִצָּפ֗וֹן
from the north
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
#3
וְיָצָא֙
and went forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#4
עֵ֣ין
H0
#5
שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ
to Enshemesh
en-shemesh, a place in palestine
#6
וְיָצָא֙
and went forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#7
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#8
גְּלִיל֔וֹת
toward Geliloth
geliloth, a place in palestine
#9
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
נֹ֖כַח
which is over against
properly, the front part; used adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of
#11
מַֽעֲלֵ֣ה
the going up
an elevation, i.e., (concretely) acclivity or platform; abstractly (the relation or state) a rise or (figuratively) priority
#12
אֲדֻמִּ֑ים
of Adummim
adummim, a pass in palestine
#13
וְיָרַ֕ד
and descended
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
#14
אֶ֥בֶן
H68
to the stone
a stone
#15
בֹּ֖הַן
of Bohan
thumb, bohan, an israelite
#16
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#17
רְאוּבֵֽן׃
of Reuben
reuben, a son of jacob

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Joshua. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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