Joshua 16:8
Joshua 16:8 in Multiple Translations
From Tappuah the border went westward to the Brook of Kanah and ended at the Sea. This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Ephraim,
The border went out from Tappuah westward unto the river Kanah; and the goings out thereof were at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.
From Tappuah the border went along westward to the brook of Kanah; and the goings out thereof were at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim according to their families;
From Tappuah the line goes on to the west to the river of Kanah; ending at the sea. This is the heritage of the children of Ephraim by their families;
From Tappuah the boundary ran west to the Brook of Kanah and then out to the sea. This was the land allotted to the tribe of Ephraim, by families.
And this border goeth from Tappuah Westward vnto the riuer Kanah, and the endes thereof are at the Sea: this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.
From Tappuah the border goeth westward unto the brook of Kanah, and its outgoings have been at the sea: this [is] the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Ephraim, for their families.
From Tappuah the border went along westward to the brook of Kanah; and ended at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim according to their families;
The border went out from Tappuah westward to the river Kanah; and the limits of it were at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.
From Taphua it passeth on towards the sea into the valley of reeds, and the goings out thereof are at the most salt sea. This is the possession of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.
The northern border extended from Tappuah west to Kanah Ravine, and ended at the Mediterranean Sea. That was the land that was allotted to the tribe of Ephraim.
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 16:8
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 16:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מִ/תַּפּ֜וּחַ
יֵלֵ֨ךְ
הַ/גְּב֥וּל
יָ֨מָּ/ה֙
נַ֣חַל
קָנָ֔ה
וְ/הָי֥וּ
תֹצְאֹתָ֖י/ו
הַ/יָּ֑מָּ/ה
זֹ֗את
נַחֲלַ֛ת
מַטֵּ֥ה
בְנֵי
אֶפְרַ֖יִם
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽ/ם
מִ/תַּפּ֜וּחַ
Tappûwach
H8599
Tappuah
Prep | N-proper
יֵלֵ֨ךְ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
הַ/גְּב֥וּל
gᵉbûwl
H1366
border
Art | N-ms
יָ֨מָּ/ה֙
yâm
H3220
West
N-ms | Suff
נַ֣חַל
nachal
H5158
Brook
N-ms
קָנָ֔ה
Qânâh
H7071
Kanah
N-proper
וְ/הָי֥וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
תֹצְאֹתָ֖י/ו
tôwtsâʼâh
H8444
outgoing
N-fp | Suff
הַ/יָּ֑מָּ/ה
yâm
H3220
West
Art | N-ms | Suff
זֹ֗את
zôʼth
H2063
this
Pron
נַחֲלַ֛ת
nachălâh
H5159
inheritance
N-fs
מַטֵּ֥ה
maṭṭeh
H4294
tribe
N-ms
בְנֵי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
אֶפְרַ֖יִם
ʼEphrayim
H669
Ephraim
N-proper
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽ/ם
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
Prep | N-fp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 16:8
מִ/תַּפּ֜וּחַ
Tappûwach
H8599
"Tappuah"
Prep | N-proper
Tappuah is a place in the Bible, named after the Hebrew word for apple, possibly meaning the apple city. It is mentioned in Joshua 12:17 and 15:34 as a town in Judah. The name also refers to an Israelite.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.2.43; son of: Hebron (H2275I); brother of: Korah (H7141J), Rekem (H7552I) and Shema (H8087) § Tappuah = "the apple city" a Judaite of the family of Caleb, son of Hebron
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Tappuah. See also: Joshua 12:17; Joshua 16:8; 1 Chronicles 2:43.
יֵלֵ֨ךְ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
הַ/גְּב֥וּל
gᵉbûwl
H1366
"border"
Art | 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.
יָ֨מָּ/ה֙
yâm
H3220
"West"
N-ms | Suff
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
נַ֣חַל
nachal
H5158
"Brook"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for a brook or stream, often referring to a small river or valley, is used in the Bible to describe natural landscapes, such as the Brook Kidron in 2 Samuel 15:23. It can also refer to a narrow valley or a shaft of a mine, emphasizing the idea of a flowing body of water.
Definition: palm-tree Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream, valley. See also: Genesis 26:17; 1 Kings 18:5; Psalms 18:5.
קָנָ֔ה
Qânâh
H7071
"Kanah"
N-proper
Kanah refers to a stream and place in Palestine, also meaning reed, and is mentioned as a boundary of Asher. In the Bible, it is also named Kana. Kanah is a town in the Bible.
Definition: Kanah = "reed" a town marking the boundary of Asher Also named: Kana (Κανᾶ "Cana" G2580)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Kanah. See also: Joshua 16:8; Joshua 17:9; Joshua 19:28.
וְ/הָי֥וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
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.
תֹצְאֹתָ֖י/ו
tôwtsâʼâh
H8444
"outgoing"
N-fp | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to a boundary or border, like the edge of a country. It can also mean a source or a way to escape, as in escaping death. In the Bible, it is often used to describe geographical borders.
Definition: 1) outgoing, border, a going out, extremity, end, source, escape 1a) outgoing, extremity (of border) 1b) source (of life) 1c) escape (from death)
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: border(-s), going(-s) forth (out), issues, outgoings. See also: Numbers 34:4; Joshua 17:18; Psalms 68:21.
הַ/יָּ֑מָּ/ה
yâm
H3220
"West"
Art | N-ms | Suff
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
זֹ֗את
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.
נַחֲלַ֛ת
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.
מַטֵּ֥ה
maṭṭeh
H4294
"tribe"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Definition: : tribe 1) staff, branch, tribe 1a) staff, rod, shaft 1b) branch (of vine) 1c) tribe 1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: rod, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 38:18; Numbers 34:19; Psalms 105:16.
בְנֵי
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.
אֶפְרַ֖יִם
ʼEphrayim
H669
"Ephraim"
N-proper
Ephraim means doubly fruitful, referring to Joseph's son and the tribe that descended from him. The tribe of Ephraim was a significant part of Israel's history. Ephraim is also the name of a region in the Bible.
Definition: Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful" the country of the tribe of Ephraim Also named: Ephraim (Ἐφραίμ "Ephraim" G2187)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Ephraim, Ephraimites. See also: Genesis 41:52; 1 Chronicles 27:20; Psalms 60:9.
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽ/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.
Study Notes — Joshua 16:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Joshua 16:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Joshua 16:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 16:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 16:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 16:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 16:8
- Cambridge Bible on Joshua 16:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 16:8
Context — Ephraim’s Inheritance
6and out toward the Sea. From Michmethath on the north it turned eastward toward Taanath-shiloh and passed by it to Janoah on the east.
7From Janoah it went down to Ataroth and Naarah, and then reached Jericho and came out at the Jordan.
8From Tappuah the border went westward to the Brook of Kanah and ended at the Sea. This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Ephraim,
9along with all the cities and villages set apart for the descendants of Ephraim within the inheritance of Manasseh. 10But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. So the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, but they are forced laborers.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 17:8–9 | The region of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but Tappuah itself, on the border of Manasseh, belonged to Ephraim. From there the border continued southward to the Brook of Kanah. There were cities belonging to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh, but the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook and ended at the Sea. |
| 2 | Joshua 16:3–6 | Then it descended westward to the border of the Japhletites as far as the border of Lower Beth-horon and on to Gezer, and it ended at the Sea. So Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, received their inheritance. This was the territory of the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: The border of their inheritance went from Ataroth-addar in the east to Upper Beth-horon and out toward the Sea. From Michmethath on the north it turned eastward toward Taanath-shiloh and passed by it to Janoah on the east. |
| 3 | Joshua 12:17 | the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; |
| 4 | Numbers 34:6 | Your western border will be the coastline of the Great Sea; this will be your boundary on the west. |
| 5 | Joshua 19:28 | It went on to Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, as far as Greater Sidon. |
Joshua 16:8 Summary
Joshua 16:8 describes the western boundary of the tribe of Ephraim's inheritance, which ends at the Sea. This verse reminds us that God is faithful to provide for and care for His people, just as He did for the Israelites in the Promised Land (as seen in Deuteronomy 1:8 and Genesis 12:7). The boundaries and inheritance described in this verse can also serve as a reminder to trust God's sovereignty and provision in our own lives. By reflecting on this verse, we can learn to trust God's faithfulness and provision, just as the Israelites did, and apply these principles to our own lives, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Brook of Kanah in Joshua 16:8?
The Brook of Kanah serves as a boundary marker for the tribe of Ephraim, separating their territory from others, as seen in Joshua 16:8, and its location is also mentioned in Joshua 17:9, highlighting its importance in defining the tribal borders.
Why is the Sea mentioned as a boundary in this verse?
The Sea, likely referring to the Mediterranean Sea, marks the western boundary of the tribe of Ephraim's inheritance, as stated in Joshua 16:8, and this is consistent with other biblical accounts of territorial boundaries, such as in Exodus 23:31 and Numbers 34:6-7.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of the book of Joshua?
Joshua 16:8 contributes to the book's theme of the Israelites' conquest and division of the Promised Land, as outlined in Joshua 1:1-6 and Deuteronomy 1:7-8, by describing the specific boundaries and inheritance of the tribe of Ephraim.
What can we learn about God's provision and care for His people from this verse?
This verse demonstrates God's faithfulness in providing for the Israelites and dividing the land among them, as promised in Genesis 12:7 and Deuteronomy 1:8, highlighting His care and provision for His people.
Reflection Questions
- As I reflect on the boundaries and inheritance described in Joshua 16:8, what are the 'borders' of my own life, and how am I stewarding the resources and gifts God has given me?
- How does the concept of a 'promised land' in the Bible relate to my own spiritual journey and the promises God has made to me in His Word?
- In what ways can I trust God's sovereignty and provision in my life, just as the Israelites trusted Him to divide the land and establish their borders?
- What are some ways I can apply the principles of faith, trust, and obedience demonstrated in Joshua 16:8 to my own life and circumstances?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 16:8
The border went out from Tappuah westward,.... Which was different from the Tappuah in the tribe of Judah, Joshua 15:34; this was in the tribe of Ephraim on the border of Manasseh, Joshua 17:8; unto
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 16:8
The border went out from Tappuah westward unto the river Kanah; and the goings out thereof were at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 16:8
Joshua 16:8 The border went out from Tappuah westward unto the river Kanah; and the goings out thereof were at the sea. This [is] the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.Ver. 8. The border went out from Tappuah.] So called from the plenty of apples that grew there: as Perton in Worcestershire is from the plenty of pears.
Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 16:8
(5-8) The border (of Ephraim’s inheritance) on the east side.—The words “on the east side” are not easy to understand. If Ataroth-addar is rightly identified as Ed-Dârieh, and Mickmethah as the plain of Mukhnah, then the line from Ataroth-addar and Beth-horon to Michmethah is a line running due north, and separating the territory of Ephraim on the east from that of Dan on the west. The line from Michmethah to Taanath-shiloh (Tana, sheet 12) and Janohah (Yânûn, south of T’ana, sheet 15), and so to Jordan, is a line running from north-west to south-east. The brook Kanah is (roughly) continuous with this line, but in a westerly direction, and leads us towards the sea. We thus obtain for the territory of Ephraim four boundary-lines—viz.: (a) the plain of Jordan on the east; (b) the line of hills bordering the Shephelah on the west; (c) the brook Kanah, and the line passing through Taanath-shiloh and Janohah to Jordan on the north; and (d) the north border of Benjamin (Joshua 16:1-3, and Joshua 18:12-14) on the south.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 16:8
Verse 8. Tappuah] This was a city in the tribe of Manasseh, and gave name to a certain district called the land of Tappuah. See Joshua 17:8. The sea] The Mediterranean, as before.
Cambridge Bible on Joshua 16:8
8. The border] In this verse the western half of the northern border is described. from Tappuah] It ran from Tappuah, which has not yet been met with at all in the central district of Palestine, south of Shechem, “westward unto the river Kanah,” or rather “the brook of reeds.” This is probably the modern Nahr el Khassab, which reaches the Sea between Joppa and Cæsarea, under the name of Nahr Falaik, or as some think, the Nahr el Aujeh, just below the last-mentioned city.
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 16:8
8. From Tappuah westward unto the river Kanah — This is a completion of the northern boundary westward from the central ridge of Palestine. The site of Tappuah is unknown. The river Kanah is uncertain.