Joshua 19:18 — Word Study
WLCוַיְהִ֖י גְּבוּלָ֑ם יִזְרְעֶ֥אלָה וְהַכְּסוּלֹ֖ת וְשׁוּנֵֽם׃
BSATheir territorygᵉbûwl [land, inheritance, border] includedhâyâh▸ [was toward, unto, extended to] JezreelYizrᵉʻêʼl [God sows, a city in Issachar] ChesullothKᵉçullôwth△ [flanks, a town in Issachar] ShunemShûwnêm [double resting place, a city near Mount Tabor]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיְהִ֖י | and it was | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| גְּבוּלָ֑ם | border their | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| יִזְרְעֶ֥אלָה | Jezreel towards | Noun proper, suffix |
| וְהַכְּסוּלֹ֖ת | and Kesulloth | Conjunction, particle, noun proper |
| וְשׁוּנֵֽם׃ | and Shunem | Conjunction, noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem, |
| KJV | And their border was toward Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem, |
| ASV | And their border was unto Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem, |
| YLT | and their border is [at] Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem, |
| WEB | Their border was to Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem, |
| BBE | And their limit was to Jezreel and Chesulloth and Shunem |
Where they part company is in the rendering of גְּבוּלָ֑ם — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause identifies the territory, followed by a list of cities that define it.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהָיָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 5 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Joshua 19:18
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Allocation of Land to Issachargenerated
Joshua 19:18 describes the territory assigned to the tribe of Issachar, which included notable cities such as Jezreel, Chesulloth, and Shunem. This allocation is part of the broader narrative of land distribution among the tribes of Israel, emphasizing the importance of these locations in the historical and geographical context of the nation.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 21:1–15 | Some time later, Naboth the Jezreelite happened to own a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. |
| 2 | 2 Kings 8:29 | So King Joram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds that the Arameans had inflicted on him at Ramah when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. Then Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to visit Joram son of Ahab, because Joram had been wounded. |
| 3 | 2 Kings 9:15–30 | but King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he had suffered at the hands of the Arameans in the battle against Hazael their king.) So Jehu said, “If you commanders wish to make me king, then do not let anyone escape from the city to go and tell it in Jezreel.” |
| 4 | Hosea 1:4–5 | Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel, for soon I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 28:4 | The Philistines came together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — גְּבוּלָ֑ם, ge.vu.Lamgenerated
The word גְּבוּל (gevūl) refers to a boundary or border, indicating a defined territory. It is a noun that can denote physical limits, such as the borders of a region, and is often used in the context of land allocation.
In this verse, it signifies the specific borders that defined the territory of Issachar, marking the extent of their inheritance in the Promised Land.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb וַיְהִ֖י, and it was, governs the clause, indicating the existence of the territory. The structure follows with a noun phrase that identifies the territory and lists the cities included.
The arrangement emphasizes the specific cities that define the territory, presenting them as a series of noun phrases that clarify the extent of Issachar's land.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיְהִ֖י with ἐγενήθη, which means 'it came to be' or 'it happened.' This choice reflects a similar narrative function, indicating the establishment of the territory.
The Greek rendering maintains the focus on the territory's existence, paralleling the Hebrew's emphasis on the defined borders of Issachar.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Joshua 19:18 describes the territory of Issachar, which included the cities of Jezreel, Chesulloth, and Shunem. This allocation is part of the land distribution among the tribes of Israel, highlighting the significance of these locations.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The territory includes the cities of Jezreel, Chesulloth, and Shunem, among others.
These cities were important locations in the biblical narrative and played a role in the history of Israel.
It means 'their border' or 'boundary,' indicating the defined territory of Issachar.
This verse is part of the account of land allocations to the tribes of Israel, detailing how the Promised Land was divided.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can I learn from the cities assigned to Issachar about their role in Israel's history?
- How do borders and boundaries shape our understanding of identity and belonging?
- In what ways does knowing the geographical context of biblical events enhance my understanding of the text?
- How can I apply the concept of inheritance in my own life?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Joshua 19:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd their border was towards Jezreel,.... Which was a royal seat in the time of Ahab, 1 Kings 21:1; and according to Jerom was near to Maximianopolis; [See comments on Hosea 1:5]; and the same writer
Read John Gill on Joshua 19 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd the fourth lot came out to Issachar, for the children of Issachar according to their families. The fourth lot came out to Issachar.
Read Robert Jamieson on Joshua 19 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleJezreel, the royal city, . This tribe, because it lay between Benjamin on the south and Zebulun on the north, is not here described by its borders, which were the same with theirs; but by some of its cities. Shunera, the birth-place of Abishag, .
Read Matthew Poole on Joshua 19 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJoshua 19:18 And their border was toward Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,Ver. 18. And their border was toward Jezreel, &c.] In a rich and fat soil, according to that was foretold by Jacob and Moses; - "And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant: and he bowed his shoulders to bear, and became a servant to tribute." This was a low poor spirit, and his posterity were, for the general, very unworthy and vile: for his lot here fell in Galilee. Now "doth any good come from Galilee?" saith good Nathanael.
Read John Trapp on Joshua 19 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(18) Zerin (sheet 8), Iksal (sheet 6), Sûlem (sheet 9).
Read Charles John Ellicott on Joshua 19 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 18. Jezreel] This city, according to Calmet, was situated in an open country, having the town of Legion on the west, Bethshan on the east, on the south the mountains of Gilboa, and on the north those of Hermon. Shunem] This city was rendered famous by being the occasional abode of the prophet Elisha, and the place where he restored the son of a pious woman to life. 2Kg 4:8. It was the place where the Philistines were encamped on that ruinous day in which the Israelites were totally routed at Gilboa, and Saul and his sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, killed. 1 Samuel 28:4; 1 Samuel 31:1, &c.
Read AdamClarke on Joshua 19 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges18. And their border] lay above that of Manasseh, and, according to Josephus, “extended in length from Carmel to the Jordan, and in breadth to Mount Tabor.” was toward Jezreel] Observe in this verse that the description of the boundaries of this tribe, though begun, is not continued. Instead, the names of the cities are given, which were included in it. Jezreel] (= the planting, or seed-plot, of God, now Zerin), stood in the celebrated plain of the name between Gilboa and little Hermon on the brow of a very steep rocky slope of at least 100 feet in a strong and central position, commanding the view towards the Jordan on the east (2 Kings 9:17), and visible from Carmel on the west (1 Kings…
Read Cambridge on Joshua 19 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleJezreel and its famous and fertile plain are the choicest part of the inheritance of Issachar Joshua 17:16. Shunem - Here the Philistines pitched before the battle of Gilboa 1 Samuel 28:4.
Read Albert Barnes on Joshua 19 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
Their border was to Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
Their assigned land included Jezreel, Kesulloth, Shunem,
Tyndale line
And their border was toward Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,
And their border was unto Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,
And their border was unto Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem;
And their border was towards Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,
And their coast was Izreelah, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,
Strictly literal
And their territory was toward Jizreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,
and their border is [at] Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,
and their border is [at] Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,
And their boundary went to Yizre'el, and Kessulloth, and Shunem,
Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
From the Latin
And his inheritance was Jezrael and Casaloth and Sunem,
Simplified
Their land included these towns: Jezreel, Kesulloth, Shunem,
And their limit was to Jezreel and Chesulloth and Shunem
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in the wording of this verse, with four of the five words matched. The Septuagint's word order differs, but it conveys the same essential meaning regarding the territory of Issachar.
וַיְהִ֖י גְּבוּלָ֑ם יִזְרְעֶ֥אלָה וְהַכְּסוּלֹ֖ת וְשׁוּנֵֽם׃
4 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Joshua 19:18
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
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
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
גְּבוּל (gbuwl) refers to a border or boundary, often implying a defined territory. It can denote a physical limit, such as a coast or landmark, and can also have figurative uses, like a region of darkness. The word is derived from a root meaning 'cord' and encompasses various meanings related to boundaries and territories.
גְּבוּל 240 n.m. border, boundary, territory
border, boundary
territory (enclosed within boundary)
base
H1366 גְּבוּל border, boundary, territory
1366 gbuwl gheb-ool'
or (shortened) gbul {gheb-ool'}; from 1379; properly, a cord
(as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extens. the
territory inclosed:--border, bound, coast, X great, landmark,
limit, quarter, space.
see HEBREW for 01379
גְּבוּל (ge.vul) — border: boundary.
: boundary
1) border, territory
1a) border
1b) territory (enclosed within boundary)
1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.)
Also means: ge.vul (גְּבוּל ": area" H1366H)
גְּבוּל (ge.vul) — border: area.
: area
1) border, territory
1a) border
1b) territory (enclosed within boundary)
1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3mp
יִזְרְעֶאל (yizre'el) means "God sows" and refers to both a city in the Negev of Judah and another in Issachar, located on the northwest spur of Mount Gilboa. It is also the name of a man, specifically the first son of the prophet Hosea. The entries indicate its geographical and personal significance, but do not present any notable disagreements.
יִזְרְעֶאל
n.pr.loc. (God soweth)
city in the Negeb of Judah
city in Issachar
n.pr.m.
Hosea’s son
Judahite name
base
H3157 יִזְרְעֶאל, יִזְרְעֵאל
3157 Yizr`e'l yiz-reh-ale'
from 2232 and 410; God will sow; Jizreel, the name of two
places in Palestine and of two Israelites:--Jezreel.
see HEBREW for 02232
see HEBREW for 0410
יִזְרְעֶאל (yiz.re.el) — Jezreel.
Jezreel = "God sows"
a city in the Nekeb of Judah
Also named: yiz.re.e.li (יִזְרְעֵאלִי "Jezreel" H3158)
יִזְרְעֶאל (yiz.re.el) — Jezreel.
Jezreel = "God sows"
a city in Issachar on the northwest spur of Mount Gilboa
Also named: yiz.re.e.li (יִזְרְעֵאלִי "Jezreelite" H3158H)
יִזְרְעֶאל (yiz.re.el) — Jezreel.
§ Jezreel = "God sows"
a city in Issachar on the northwest spur of Mount Gilboa
יִזְרְעֶאל (yiz.re.el) — Jezreel.
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.3;
son of: Hur (H2354);
brother of: Uri (H0221), Shobal (H7732H), Salma (H8007H), Hareph (H2780), Ishma (H3457), Idbash (H3031), Hazzelelponi (H6753), Penuel (H6439H) and Ezer (H5829)
§ Jezreel = "God sows"
1) a descendant of the father or founder of Etam of Judah
N-proper | Suff — Noun proper · suffixHNpl/Sd
כְּסֻלּוֹת n.pr.loc. in the tribe of Issachar
base
H3694 כְּסֻלּוֹת
3694 Kcullowth kes-ool-loth'
feminine plural of passive participle of 3688; fattened;
Kesulloth, a place in Palestine:--Chesulloth.
see HEBREW for 03688
כְּסֻלּוֹת (ke.sul.lot) — Chesulloth.
§ Chesulloth = "flanks"
a town in Issachar near Jezreel; also 'Chisloth-tabor' kis.lot ta.vor (כִּסְלֹת תָּבֹר "Chisloth-tabor" H3696)
Conj | Art | N-proper — Conjunction · particle · noun properHC/Td/Npl
שׁוּנֵם (Shuwnem) refers to a location in the Old Testament, specifically a city in the territory of Issachar, described as a 'double resting place.' The entries suggest it is derived from a root meaning 'quietly.' It is noted as being situated about 5 miles south of Mount Tabor.
שׁוּנֵם n.pr.loc. in Issachar
base
H7766 שׁוּנֵם
7766 Shuwnem shoo-name'
probably from the same as 7764; quietly; Shunem, a place in
Pal:--Shunem.
see HEBREW for 07764
שׁוּנֵם (shu.nem) — Shunem.
§ Shunem = "double resting place"
a city in Issachar, located 5 miles (8 km) south of Mount Tabor
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun properHC/Npl
shoo'-nem (shunem; Codex Vaticanus Sounan; Codex Alexandrinus Sounam): A town in the territory of Issachar named with Jezreel and Chesulloth (Jos 19:18). Before the battle of Gilboa the Philistines pitched their camp here. They and the army of Saul, stationed on Gilboa, were in full view of each other (1Sa 28:4). It was the scene of the touching story recorded in 2Ki 4:8-37, in which the prophet Elisha raises to life the son of his Shunammite benefactress. Eusebius (Onomasticon) describes it as a village called Sulem, 5 Roman miles South of Mt. Tabor. This points to the modern Solam, a village surrounded by cactus hedges and orchards on the lower southwestern slope of Jebel ed-Duchy ("Hill of Moreh"). It commands an…
Shunem
Two resting-places, a little village in the tribe of Issachar, to the north of Jezreel and south of Mount Gilboa (Josh. 19:18), where the Philistines encamped when they came against Saul (1 Sam. 28:4), and where Elisha was hospitably entertained by a rich woman of the place. On the sudden death of this woman’s son she hastened to Carmel, 20 miles distant across the plain, to tell Elisha, and to bring him with her to Shunem. There, in the “prophet’s chamber,” the dead child lay; and Elisha entering it, shut the door and prayed earnestly: and the boy was restored to life (2 Kings 4:8-37). This woman afterwards retired during the famine to the low land of the Philistines; and on returning a few years afterwards, found her…
(double resting-place), one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Issachar. (Joshua 13:18) It is mentioned on two occasions -- (1 Samuel 23:4; 2 Kings 4:8) It was besides the native place of Abishag. (1 Kings 1:3) It is mentioned by Eusebius as five miles south of Mount Tabor, and then known us Sulem. This agrees with the position of the present Solam , a village three miles north of Jezreel and five from Gilboa.
A city of Issachar, Jos 19:18. The Philistines encamped at Shunem, in the great field or Plain of Esdraelon, 1Sa 28:4; and Saul encamped at Gilboa. Abishag, king of David’s nurse, was of Shunem, 1Ki 1:3; so also was the woman whose son Elisha restored to life, 2Ki 4:8-37. Eusebius and Jerome place it five miles south of Tabor; and it is now recognized in a poor village called Solam, on a declivity at the northwest corner of a smaller valley of Jezreel.