Joshua 13:16 - Their border was from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain by Medeba;
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What does "Joshua 13:16" mean?
Joshua 13:16 describes the southern boundary of the territory allotted to the tribe of Reuben. Let's break down the verse to understand its meaning:
"Their border was from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon...": This indicates the southernmost point of Reuben's territory was Aroer. Aroer was a city located on the northern rim or "edge" of the Arnon River valley (wadi). The Arnon River (modern Wadi Mujib) was a significant natural boundary.
"...and the city that is in the middle of the valley...": This refers to a specific city located within the Arnon River valley itself. It's difficult to identify this city with absolute certainty without additional contextual clues from the surrounding verses or archaeological evidence. Some scholars suggest it may have been a smaller, unnamed settlement, or perhaps a well-known landmark within the valley. The key point is that even the territory within the valley up to a certain point belonged to Reuben.
"...and all the plain by Medeba;": "The plain by Medeba" describes the fertile plateau surrounding the city of Medeba. This suggests that Reuben's territory extended northward to include the plain adjacent to the city of Medeba. Medeba was an important city in the region.
In summary: The verse defines the southern border of the land allocated to the tribe of Reuben. It started at Aroer on the edge of the Arnon River Valley, included a city within the Arnon Valley, and extended north to the plain adjacent to Medeba. This describes a region bordered by the Arnon River to the south and reaching up towards the plateau where Medeba was located.
The description is important for several reasons:
Geographical Definition: It provides a rough geographical understanding of the territory assigned to Reuben.
Territorial Claims: It outlines the limits of Reuben's claim to the land. This was significant for settling disputes and ensuring each tribe received its allocated inheritance.
Historical Context: It offers insight into the political and territorial landscape of Canaan during the period of the Israelite conquest and settlement.
It's important to note that ancient geographical descriptions can sometimes be vague or rely on local knowledge that is now lost. Therefore, pinpointing the exact locations of all the landmarks mentioned can be challenging.
Joshua 13:16 - Their border was from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain by Medeba;
What does "Joshua 13:16" mean?
Joshua 13:16 describes the southern boundary of the territory allotted to the tribe of Reuben. Let's break down the verse to understand its meaning:
"Their border was from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon...": This indicates the southernmost point of Reuben's territory was Aroer. Aroer was a city located on the northern rim or "edge" of the Arnon River valley (wadi). The Arnon River (modern Wadi Mujib) was a significant natural boundary.
"...and the city that is in the middle of the valley...": This refers to a specific city located within the Arnon River valley itself. It's difficult to identify this city with absolute certainty without additional contextual clues from the surrounding verses or archaeological evidence. Some scholars suggest it may have been a smaller, unnamed settlement, or perhaps a well-known landmark within the valley. The key point is that even the territory within the valley up to a certain point belonged to Reuben.
"...and all the plain by Medeba;": "The plain by Medeba" describes the fertile plateau surrounding the city of Medeba. This suggests that Reuben's territory extended northward to include the plain adjacent to the city of Medeba. Medeba was an important city in the region.
In summary: The verse defines the southern border of the land allocated to the tribe of Reuben. It started at Aroer on the edge of the Arnon River Valley, included a city within the Arnon Valley, and extended north to the plain adjacent to Medeba. This describes a region bordered by the Arnon River to the south and reaching up towards the plateau where Medeba was located.
The description is important for several reasons:
Geographical Definition: It provides a rough geographical understanding of the territory assigned to Reuben.
Territorial Claims: It outlines the limits of Reuben's claim to the land. This was significant for settling disputes and ensuring each tribe received its allocated inheritance.
Historical Context: It offers insight into the political and territorial landscape of Canaan during the period of the Israelite conquest and settlement.
It's important to note that ancient geographical descriptions can sometimes be vague or rely on local knowledge that is now lost. Therefore, pinpointing the exact locations of all the landmarks mentioned can be challenging.