Joshua 18:19
And the border passed along to the side of Beth-hoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan: this was the south coast.
Original Language Analysis
וְעָבַ֨ר
passed along
H5674
וְעָבַ֨ר
passed along
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
גְּב֥וּל
And the border
H1366
גְּב֥וּל
And the border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
כֶּ֣תֶף
to the side
H3802
כֶּ֣תֶף
to the side
Strong's:
H3802
Word #:
4 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
צָפ֔וֹנָה
northward
H6828
צָפ֔וֹנָה
northward
Strong's:
H6828
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
וְהָי֣ה׀
H1961
וְהָי֣ה׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
תֹּֽצְא֣וֹתיו
and the outgoings
H8444
תֹּֽצְא֣וֹתיו
and the outgoings
Strong's:
H8444
Word #:
9 of 22
(only in plural collective) exit, i.e., (geographical) boundary, or (figuratively) deliverance, (actively) source
גְּב֥וּל
And the border
H1366
גְּב֥וּל
And the border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
10 of 22
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
לְשׁ֤וֹן
bay
H3956
לְשׁ֤וֹן
bay
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
12 of 22
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
יָם
sea
H3220
יָם
sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
13 of 22
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
הַמֶּ֙לַח֙
of the salt
H4417
הַמֶּ֙לַח֙
of the salt
Strong's:
H4417
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, powder, i.e., (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved)
צָפ֔וֹנָה
northward
H6828
צָפ֔וֹנָה
northward
Strong's:
H6828
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
נֶֽגֶב׃
at the south
H5045
נֶֽגֶב׃
at the south
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
The Dead Sea, earth's lowest point at 1,410 feet below sea level, supported no life due to extreme salinity. Its placement at Benjamin's border created a natural eastern defense. Beth-hoglah lay in the Jordan plain, part of the lush region contrasting with the Dead Sea's barrenness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the journey from living water (Jordan) to dead water (Salt Sea) picture spiritual decline?
- What 'Dead Sea' situations in your life need the living water of Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The border passed along to the side of Beth-hoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan—Beth-hoglah ('house of the partridge') marks the northeastern corner where Benjamin's border reaches the Dead Sea (yam ha-melach, יָם הַמֶּלַח, 'salt sea'). The north bay specifies the Dead Sea's northern tip where the Jordan flows in.
This was the south coast completes Benjamin's boundary description. From Jordan's source to its termination in the lifeless salt sea, the border encompasses death-to-life geography. This pictures redemption: from death in sin to life in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5).