Joshua 19:27
And turneth toward the sunrising to Beth-dagon, and reacheth to Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthah-el toward the north side of Beth-emek, and Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand,
Original Language Analysis
וְשָׁ֨ב
And turneth
H7725
וְשָׁ֨ב
And turneth
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 18
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ֮
H8121
הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ֮
Strong's:
H8121
Word #:
3 of 18
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
דָּגֹן֒
to Bethdagon
H1016
דָּגֹן֒
to Bethdagon
Strong's:
H1016
Word #:
5 of 18
beth-dagon, the name of two places in palestine
וּפָגַ֣ע
and reacheth
H6293
וּפָגַ֣ע
and reacheth
Strong's:
H6293
Word #:
6 of 18
to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
בִּ֠זְבֻלוּן
to Zebulun
H2074
בִּ֠זְבֻלוּן
to Zebulun
Strong's:
H2074
Word #:
7 of 18
zebulon, a son of jacob; also his territory and tribe
וּבְגֵ֨י
and to the valley
H1516
וּבְגֵ֨י
and to the valley
Strong's:
H1516
Word #:
8 of 18
a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
צָפ֛וֹנָה
toward the north side
H6828
צָפ֛וֹנָה
toward the north side
Strong's:
H6828
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
וְיָצָ֥א
and goeth out
H3318
וְיָצָ֥א
and goeth out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
15 of 18
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Historical Context
Beth-dagon's name indicates Canaanite religious influence that persisted after conquest. The valley of Jiphthah-el separated Asher from Zebulun in lower Galilee. Cabul's later reputation as worthless land given to Hiram shows how even prime tribal territories contained less desirable portions, requiring faith to see God's goodness in all allotments.
Questions for Reflection
- What "Beth-dagons" (places named after false gods) exist within your sphere of influence, and how do you maintain spiritual distinctiveness there?
- How does Cabul's story warn against despising God's provision while teaching that earthly inheritances are never perfect?
- What does tribal interconnectedness teach about the church's mutual dependence, where no member can say "I have no need of you" (1 Corinthians 12:21)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And turneth toward the sunrising to Beth-dagon—The boundary turns eastward (literally "toward the rising of the sun," מִזְרַח שֶׁמֶשׁ mizrach shemesh) to Beth-dagon, meaning "house of Dagon." This Philistine fish-god's presence in Asher's territory names reveals the incomplete conquest warned against in Judges. The mention of Zebulun and the valley of Jiphthah-el shows tribal boundaries interconnecting—no tribe lived in isolation.
Cabul on the left hand (הַשְּׂמֹאול has'mol, the north side when facing east) later becomes infamous when Solomon gives twenty Galilean cities including Cabul to Hiram of Tyre, who despises them (1 Kings 9:13). The name Cabul means "displeasing" or "sterile." Even within blessed Asher's inheritance lay territory that would prove disappointing—a reminder that earthly inheritances are imperfect shadows of the eternal inheritance in Christ.