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Joshua 13:23

Joshua 13:23 in Multiple Translations

And the border of the Reubenites was the bank of the Jordan. This was the inheritance of the clans of the Reubenites, including the cities and villages.

And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and the border thereof. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities and the villages thereof.

And the border of the children of Reuben was the Jordan, and the border thereof. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben according to their families, the cities and the villages thereof.

And the limit of the children of Reuben was the edge of Jordan. This was the heritage of the children of Reuben by their families, with its towns and its unwalled places.

The Jordan was the boundary for the tribe of Reuben. This was the land, the towns and the villages, allotted to the tribe of Reuben, by families.

And the border of the children of Reuben was Iorden with the coastes. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben according to their families, with the cities and their villages.

And the border of the sons of Reuben is the Jordan, and [its] border; this [is] the inheritance of the sons of Reuben, for their families, the cities and their villages.

The border of the children of Reuben was the bank of the Jordan. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben according to their families, the cities and its villages.

And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and its border. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities and their villages.

And the river Jordan was the herder of the children of Ruben. This is the possession of the Rubenites, by their kindreds, of cities and villages.

The western boundary of the land that was allotted to the clans of the tribe of Reuben was the Jordan River.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 13:23

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Joshua 13:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יְהִ֗י גְּבוּל֙ בְּנֵ֣י רְאוּבֵ֔ן הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֖ן וּ/גְב֑וּל זֹ֣את נַחֲלַ֤ת בְּנֵֽי רְאוּבֵן֙ לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֔/ם הֶ/עָרִ֖ים וְ/חַצְרֵי/הֶֽן
וַ/יְהִ֗י hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
גְּבוּל֙ gᵉbûwl H1366 border N-ms
בְּנֵ֣י bên H1121 son N-mp
רְאוּבֵ֔ן Rᵉʼûwbên H7205 Reuben N-proper
הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֖ן Yardên H3383 Jordan Art | N-proper
וּ/גְב֑וּל gᵉbûwl H1366 border Conj | N-ms
זֹ֣את zôʼth H2063 this Pron
נַחֲלַ֤ת nachălâh H5159 inheritance N-fs
בְּנֵֽי bên H1121 son N-mp
רְאוּבֵן֙ Rᵉʼûwbên H7205 Reuben N-proper
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֔/ם mishpâchâh H4940 family Prep | N-fp | Suff
הֶ/עָרִ֖ים ʻîyr H5892 excitement Art | N-fp
וְ/חַצְרֵי/הֶֽן châtsêr H2691 court Conj | N-cp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 13:23

וַ/יְהִ֗י hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
גְּבוּל֙ gᵉbûwl H1366 "border" N-ms
This word refers to a boundary or border, like the borders of the Promised Land in Numbers 34:1-12. It can also mean a region or territory, as in the borders of Israel in 1 Kings 8:65.
Definition: : boundary 1) border, territory 1a) border 1b) territory (enclosed within boundary) 1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.) Also means: ge.vul (גְּבוּל ": area" H1366H)
Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space. See also: Genesis 10:19; Joshua 19:33; Psalms 78:54.
בְּנֵ֣י bên H1121 "son" N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
רְאוּבֵ֔ן Rᵉʼûwbên H7205 "Reuben" N-proper
Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, and the ancestor of the tribe of Reuben. He is mentioned in Genesis as the brother of Simeon, Levi, and Judah, and the father of Hanoch and Pallu.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Reuben living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.32; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Hanoch (H2585J), Pallu (H6396), Hezron (H2696) and Carmi (H3756) § Reuben = "behold a son" 1) the eldest son of Jacob by Leah 2) the tribe descended from Reuben 3) the territory inhabited by the tribe of Reuben
Usage: Occurs in 68 OT verses. KJV: Reuben. See also: Genesis 29:32; Deuteronomy 27:13; Ezekiel 48:31.
הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֖ן Yardên H3383 "Jordan" Art | N-proper
The Jordan River, which runs from Lebanon to the Dead Sea, is a key location in the Bible, including in the stories of Jesus and the Israelites.
Definition: Jordan = "descender" the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approx 200 miles (320 km) Also named: Iordanēs (Ἰορδάνης "Jordan" G2446)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Jordan. See also: Genesis 13:10; Joshua 12:1; Psalms 42:7.
וּ/גְב֑וּל gᵉbûwl H1366 "border" Conj | N-ms
This word refers to a boundary or border, like the borders of the Promised Land in Numbers 34:1-12. It can also mean a region or territory, as in the borders of Israel in 1 Kings 8:65.
Definition: : boundary 1) border, territory 1a) border 1b) territory (enclosed within boundary) 1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.) Also means: ge.vul (גְּבוּל ": area" H1366H)
Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space. See also: Genesis 10:19; Joshua 19:33; Psalms 78:54.
זֹ֣את zôʼth H2063 "this" Pron
This Hebrew word means this or that, often used to point out something specific. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 570 OT verses. KJV: hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus. See also: Genesis 2:23; Numbers 7:88; Judges 1:27.
נַחֲלַ֤ת nachălâh H5159 "inheritance" N-fs
Inheritance refers to something passed down, like property or a family heirloom, as seen in the Bible's discussion of dividing land among tribes in Joshua. It represents a person's share or possession. The concept is crucial in understanding biblical ideas of family and legacy.
Definition: 1) possession, property, inheritance, heritage 1a) property 1b) portion, share 1c) inheritance, portion
Usage: Occurs in 191 OT verses. KJV: heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession. Compare H5158 (נַחַל). See also: Genesis 31:14; Joshua 23:4; Psalms 2:8.
בְּנֵֽי bên H1121 "son" N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
רְאוּבֵן֙ Rᵉʼûwbên H7205 "Reuben" N-proper
Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, and the ancestor of the tribe of Reuben. He is mentioned in Genesis as the brother of Simeon, Levi, and Judah, and the father of Hanoch and Pallu.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Reuben living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.32; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Hanoch (H2585J), Pallu (H6396), Hezron (H2696) and Carmi (H3756) § Reuben = "behold a son" 1) the eldest son of Jacob by Leah 2) the tribe descended from Reuben 3) the territory inhabited by the tribe of Reuben
Usage: Occurs in 68 OT verses. KJV: Reuben. See also: Genesis 29:32; Deuteronomy 27:13; Ezekiel 48:31.
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֔/ם mishpâchâh H4940 "family" Prep | N-fp | Suff
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
הֶ/עָרִ֖ים ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" Art | N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
וְ/חַצְרֵי/הֶֽן châtsêr H2691 "court" Conj | N-cp | Suff
A village in the Bible is a small settlement surrounded by walls. In Matthew 21:2, Jesus sends his disciples to a village to find a donkey, while in Mark 6:6, Jesus travels from village to village teaching.
Definition: 1) court, enclosure 1a) enclosures 1b) court
Usage: Occurs in 163 OT verses. KJV: court, tower, village. See also: Genesis 25:16; 2 Chronicles 24:21; Psalms 10:8.

Study Notes — Joshua 13:23

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Joshua 13:23 Summary

[The Reubenites' inheritance was the land on the eastern side of the Jordan River, which included cities and villages, as stated in Joshua 13:23. This was part of the land that God had promised to the Israelites, as seen in Genesis 12:7 and Genesis 15:18-21. Just like the Reubenites received their inheritance, we as believers have a spiritual inheritance in Christ, as seen in Ephesians 1:11-14 and Colossians 1:12-14, which is a gift from God that we can trust and rely on. As we reflect on this verse, we can be reminded of God's faithfulness to His promises and His desire to give us a rich inheritance, as encouraged in Hebrews 11:6 and 1 Peter 1:3-5.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the border of the Reubenites' inheritance?

The border of the Reubenites was the bank of the Jordan, as stated in Joshua 13:23, which marked the eastern edge of their territory, similar to the border of the tribe of Gad mentioned in Joshua 13:24-25.

What did the inheritance of the Reubenites include?

The inheritance of the Reubenites included the cities and villages, as mentioned in Joshua 13:23, which were part of the territory given to them by Moses, as seen in Deuteronomy 3:12-17.

Why was the Jordan River significant in the Bible?

The Jordan River was significant in the Bible as it marked the border between the Promised Land and the surrounding territories, and it was also the site of many important events, such as the Israelites' crossing into the Promised Land in Joshua 3:1-17 and Jesus' baptism in Matthew 3:13-17.

How did the Reubenites receive their inheritance?

The Reubenites received their inheritance as part of the division of the land by Moses, as seen in Joshua 13:15-23 and Numbers 32:1-42, which was a fulfillment of God's promise to the Israelites in Genesis 12:7 and Genesis 15:18-21.

Reflection Questions

  1. What can we learn from the way the Reubenites received their inheritance about God's faithfulness to His promises?
  2. How does the concept of inheritance in the Bible relate to our spiritual inheritance in Christ, as seen in Ephesians 1:11-14 and Colossians 1:12-14?
  3. What role did the Jordan River play in the history of the Israelites, and what symbolism can we derive from it for our own spiritual journeys, as seen in Psalm 114:3-5 and Isaiah 43:2-3?
  4. In what ways can we apply the principle of receiving our inheritance from God, as seen in Joshua 13:23, to our own lives and circumstances, as encouraged in Hebrews 11:6 and 1 Peter 1:3-5?

Gill's Exposition on Joshua 13:23

And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and the border [thereof],.... As their border eastward was Aroer on the river Arnon, so their border westward was the river Jordan: this [was] the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 13:23

And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and the border thereof. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities and the villages thereof.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 13:23

And the border thereof, i.e. those cities or places which bordered upon Jordan. Compare .

Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 13:23

Joshua 13:23 And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and the border [thereof]. This [was] the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities and the villages thereof. Ver. 23.

Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 13:23

OF THE BY MOSES ON THE EAST OF JORDAN (Joshua 13:15-33). (15) Reuben.—See also Numbers 32:33-42 and Deuteronomy 3:16, &c.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 13:23

Verse 23. The cities and the villages] By villages, חצרים chatserim, it is likely that moveable villages or tents are meant, such as are in use among the Bedouin Arabs; places where they were accustomed to feed and pen their cattle.

Cambridge Bible on Joshua 13:23

23. was Jordan] i.e. “the boundary of the children of Reuben was the Jordan and adjoining land.” Comp. Numbers 34:6; Deuteronomy 3:16-17. the villages thereof] = “farm premises,” not enclosed, like a city, with walls. Thus the boundaries of the tribe of Reuben were, (a) On the West, the Dead Sea; (b) on the South, the country of Moab; (c) on the East, the kingdom of Ammon; (d) on the North, the Arnon, or the Wady Mojeb. Here the tribe settled, “preferring pasturage to agriculture.” His subsequent history fulfils the prophecy of Jacob. “Unstable (or swelling) as water” (Genesis 49:4), he vanishes away into a mere Arabian tribe; “his men are few” (Deuteronomy 33:6); it is all he can do “to live and not die.” The only events of the subsequent history of the tribe are (a) the multiplication of “their cattle in the land of Gilead;” (b) their wars with the Bedouin “sons of Hagar” (1 Chronicles 5:10); (c) their spoils “of camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand” (1 Chronicles 5:21). In the chief struggle of the nation Reuben never took part. No judge, no prophet, no hero of the tribe is handed down to us. See Stanley’s Lectures, 1. 218.

Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 13:23

23. This was the inheritance of… Reuben — The tribe of Reuben never did excel. Compare Genesis 49:4.

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