Joshua 18:9
And the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book, and came again to Joshua to the host at Shiloh.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּֽלְכ֤וּ
H1980
וַיֵּֽלְכ֤וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙
And the men
H582
הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙
And the men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
וַיַּֽעַבְר֣וּ
and passed through
H5674
וַיַּֽעַבְר֣וּ
and passed through
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
3 of 16
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
וַיִּכְתְּב֧וּהָ
and described
H3789
וַיִּכְתְּב֧וּהָ
and described
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
5 of 16
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
לֶֽעָרִ֛ים
it by cities
H5892
לֶֽעָרִ֛ים
it by cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
6 of 16
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
לְשִׁבְעָ֥ה
into seven
H7651
לְשִׁבְעָ֥ה
into seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
7 of 16
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
סֵ֑פֶר
in a book
H5612
סֵ֑פֶר
in a book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
וַיָּבֹ֧אוּ
and came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֧אוּ
and came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
11 of 16
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ
again to Joshua
H3091
יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ
again to Joshua
Strong's:
H3091
Word #:
13 of 16
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
Historical Context
Ancient land surveys typically described boundaries by cities and natural landmarks. This 'book' may have resembled Mesopotamian boundary stones or Egyptian land records. Creating such a document required literacy and cartographic skill rare in that era.
Questions for Reflection
- What spiritual insights or experiences should you document for yourself and others?
- How does faithful completion of assigned tasks demonstrate covenant obedience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book—The obedience is immediate and thorough. Described it by cities (be'arim, בֶּעָרִים) means they catalogued urban centers—strategic strongholds defining regions. In a book (sefer, סֵפֶר) indicates a formal written record, likely a scroll.
This 'book' becomes Israel's first land registry, a legal document defining inheritance boundaries. Scripture values written records—from Moses' law to John's Revelation. God works through documentation and order, not chaos. Their return to Joshua to the host at Shiloh completes their mission faithfully.