Joshua 18:18
Joshua 18:18 in Multiple Translations
Then it went on to the northern slope of Beth-arabah and went down into the valley.
And passed along toward the side over against Arabah northward, and went down unto Arabah:
and it passed along to the side over against the Arabah northward, and went down unto the Arabah;
And it goes on to the side facing the Arabah to the north, and down to the Arabah;
Then it went along the ridge opposite the Jordan Valley to the north, and then down into the Jordan Valley itself.
So it goeth along to the side ouer against the plaine Northward, and goeth downe into the plaine.
and passed over unto the side over-against Arabah northward, and gone down to Arabah;
It passed along to the side opposite the Arabah northward, and went down to the Arabah.
And passed along towards the side over against Arabah northward, and went down to Arabah:
And it passeth along to the hills that are over against the ascent of Adommim: and it goeth down to Abenboen, that is, the stone of Been the son of Ruben: and it passeth on the north side to the champaign countries; and goeth down into the plain,
From there the border extended to the northern edge of Beth-Arabah town and down into the Jordan River Valley.
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 18:18
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 18:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/עָבַ֛ר
אֶל
כֶּ֥תֶף
מוּל
הָֽ/עֲרָבָ֖ה
צָפ֑וֹנָ/ה
וְ/יָרַ֖ד
הָ/עֲרָבָֽתָ/ה
וְ/עָבַ֛ר
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
כֶּ֥תֶף
kâthêph
H3802
shoulder
N-fs
מוּל
mûwl
H4136
opposite
Prep
הָֽ/עֲרָבָ֖ה
ʻărâbâh
H6160
plain
Art | N-fs
צָפ֑וֹנָ/ה
tsâphôwn
H6828
Zaphon
N-fs | Suff
וְ/יָרַ֖ד
yârad
H3381
to go down
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
הָ/עֲרָבָֽתָ/ה
ʻărâbâh
H6160
plain
Art | N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 18:18
וְ/עָבַ֛ר
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
כֶּ֥תֶף
kâthêph
H3802
"shoulder"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for shoulder describes the upper end of the arm, where garments hang, and is used in Exodus 28:7 to describe the shoulder pieces of the ephod.
Definition: 1) shoulder, shoulder-blade, side, slope 1a) shoulder, shoulder-blade (of man) 1b) shoulder, shoulder-pieces (of animals) 1c) side, slope (of mountain) 1d) supports (of laver)
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: arm, corner, shoulder(-piece), side, undersetter. See also: Exodus 27:14; 2 Kings 11:11; Isaiah 11:14.
מוּל
mûwl
H4136
"opposite"
Prep
This word means opposite or in front of, often used to describe location or direction. In Exodus 14:2, the Israelites camped in front of Pi-ha-hiroth, facing the sea. It provides a sense of spatial awareness and orientation in biblical contexts.
Definition: 1) front 1a) front 1b) in the opposite direction prep 2) in front of 2a) in front of 2b) (with prefix) 2b1) towards the front of, to the front of, on the front of 2b2) from the front of, off the front of, close in front of, on the forefront of
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: (over) against, before, (fore-) front, from, (God-) ward, toward, with. See also: Exodus 18:19; Deuteronomy 11:30; Micah 2:8.
הָֽ/עֲרָבָ֖ה
ʻărâbâh
H6160
"plain"
Art | N-fs
The Arabah is a desert plain near the Jordan River, stretching to the Red Sea, and is often translated as wilderness or desert in the Bible. It is mentioned in books like Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Definition: § desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See also H1026 (בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה). See also: Numbers 22:1; 1 Samuel 23:24; Psalms 68:5.
צָפ֑וֹנָ/ה
tsâphôwn
H6828
"Zaphon"
N-fs | Suff
This word means 'north' and is used to describe a direction or location. In the Bible, it is often translated as 'north' or 'northern side'.
Definition: This name means north Also named: tsa.phon (צָפוֹן "Zaphon" H6829)
Usage: Occurs in 141 OT verses. KJV: north(-ern, side, -ward, wind). See also: Genesis 13:14; Jeremiah 6:22; Psalms 48:3.
וְ/יָרַ֖ד
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
הָ/עֲרָבָֽתָ/ה
ʻărâbâh
H6160
"plain"
Art | N-fs | Suff
The Arabah is a desert plain near the Jordan River, stretching to the Red Sea, and is often translated as wilderness or desert in the Bible. It is mentioned in books like Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Definition: § desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See also H1026 (בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה). See also: Numbers 22:1; 1 Samuel 23:24; Psalms 68:5.
Study Notes — Joshua 18:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Benjamin’s Inheritance
16Then it went down to the foot of the hill that faces the Valley of Ben-hinnom at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim and ran down the Valley of Hinnom toward the southern slope of the Jebusites and downward to En-rogel.
17From there it curved northward and proceeded to En-shemesh and on to Geliloth facing the Ascent of Adummim, and continued down to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben.
18Then it went on to the northern slope of Beth-arabah and went down into the valley.
19The border continued to the northern slope of Beth-hoglah and came out at the northern bay of the Salt Sea, at the mouth of the Jordan. This was the southern border. 20On the east side the border was the Jordan. These were the borders around the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Benjamin.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 15:6 | went up to Beth-hoglah, proceeded north of Beth-arabah, and went up to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben. |
| 2 | Joshua 15:61 | These were in the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah, |
Joshua 18:18 Summary
[Joshua 18:18 describes the border of the tribe of Benjamin, which includes the northern slope of Beth-arabah and the valley below. This verse shows how God carefully guided the Israelites in establishing their borders, just as He guides us in our lives (Psalm 32:8). The valley in this verse can also remind us of the importance of humility and dependence on God, as seen in Psalm 23:4. By trusting in God's sovereignty, we can have confidence in His plan for our lives, just as the Israelites did in Joshua 1:9.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the northern slope of Beth-arabah in Joshua 18:18?
The northern slope of Beth-arabah is a geographical location that marks a boundary for the tribe of Benjamin, as described in Joshua 18:18, and is part of the larger context of the Israelites' inheritance of the Promised Land, as seen in Joshua 1:6 and Deuteronomy 1:8.
Why does the border go down into the valley in Joshua 18:18?
The border going down into the valley in Joshua 18:18 suggests a natural geographical boundary, similar to the Valley of Hinnom in Joshua 18:16, which was used to separate the territories of different tribes, as guided by God in Numbers 34:13 and Ezekiel 47:13-14.
How does this verse relate to the broader narrative of the book of Joshua?
Joshua 18:18 is part of the detailed description of the borders of the tribes in the book of Joshua, which demonstrates God's faithfulness to His people and His promise to give them the land, as seen in Joshua 21:43-45 and Psalm 105:42-45.
What can we learn from the precise geographical details in Joshua 18:18?
The precise geographical details in Joshua 18:18, such as the northern slope of Beth-arabah, demonstrate God's attention to detail and care for His people, as seen in Matthew 10:30, where Jesus says that God knows the number of hairs on our heads.
Reflection Questions
- How does the concept of boundaries and borders in Joshua 18:18 relate to my own life and the boundaries God has set for me?
- What can I learn from the way the Israelites trusted God to guide them in establishing their borders, and how can I apply that to my own decisions?
- In what ways does God's attention to detail in Joshua 18:18 encourage me to trust in His sovereignty and care for my life?
- How does the description of the valley in Joshua 18:18 remind me of the importance of humility and dependence on God, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah 40:4?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 18:18
And passed along toward the side over against Arabah northward,.... The same with Betharabah, Joshua 15:6; and so it is called here in the Greek version: and went down unto Arabah; the same as
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 18:18
And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the mountains westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Bethaven.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 18:18
Arabah, called Beth-arabah, .
Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 18:18
THE OF .(11-28) The lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin.—It can have been by no accident that their lot came forth “between Judah and Joseph.” No wiser method could have been devised to secure an united Israel than thus to make Benjamin the link between the two most powerful and naturally rival tribes. In the story of Joseph, the brethren are reconciled through the mutual affection of Judah and Joseph for Benjamin as their father’s youngest and best-loved son. The position thus given to Benjamin under Joshua was still further developed by circumstances. The tribe was almost exterminated in the time of the judges; the survivors were united in marriage with women of Ephraim and Manasseh (?). On the other hand, the city of Jerusalem, although assigned by Joshua to Benjamin, was first a joint possession of Judah and Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:28; 1 Chronicles 8:32; Judges 1:8; Judges 1:21), then the royal city of the kings of the house of Judah. The selection of the first king of Israel from Benjamin, and the ultimate planting of the religious and political centre of all the tribes on the confines of Judah and Benjamin in Jerusalem, would have been two masterstrokes of policy if they had been schemes of man’s devising. They were really links in the long chain of God’s providential dealing with the chosen people. (12) And their border.—This is first described on the north side, where it coincided with the southern border of Ephraim. Conder draws it from El ‘Aujeh (sheet 15), five miles north of Jericho, towards Beth-el (Beitin), perhaps going along the Wβdy’ Aujeh, Beth-el lying within the territory of Benjamin (Joshua 18:22), and so on to Archi (Joshua 16:2), now Ain ‘Arik (near the top of sheet 17), and thence to Ataroth-addar (Ed-Dβrieh), near Beth-horon the nether (Beit- ϋr-et-Tahta). This line is from east to west.
(14) And the border was drawn thence . . .—At this point it turns southward, and runs from the neighbourhood of Beth-horon to Kirjath-jearim (Khurbet ‘Erma, in sheet 17: very small, and not easily found). Corner of the sea.—Ph’ath Yβm, “the west side.” (15) And the south quarter.—Here the borderline again turns to the east, and runs to Ain Atβn (the waters of Nephtoah), near Bethlehem. Thence it turns to the north-east, and follows the line described above (Joshua 15:6-8) as the northern boundary of Judah. (17) The stone of Bohan the son of Reuben must have been near the Jordan. Is it possible that Bohan, the son of Reuben, did on his own account what was done for all Israel by the command of Joshua? (Joshua 4:8). (21) The cities of the tribe of . . . Benjamin.—The following are identified: viz., in Joshua 18:21, ‘Ain-es-Sultan,’ Ain Hajlah (sheet 18); Joshua 18:22, Khurbet es-Sϊmnrah, Beitin (sheet 18); Joshua 18:23, Fβtah (sheet 18), Taiyibeh (sheet 14); Joshua 18:24, Jeb ‘a (sheet 17). (22) Beth-el seems to have passed into the hands of Ephraim without question when the tribe of Benjamin was all but exterminated.