Joshua 13:27 - and in the valley, Beth Haram, Beth Nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, the Jordan’s bank, to the uttermost part of the sea of Chinnereth beyond the Jordan eastward.

Generated Verse: Joshua 13:27

What does "Joshua 13:27" mean?


Joshua 13:27 is part of a larger passage (Joshua 13:8-33) describing the land Moses allocated to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, which were tribes that were mainly pastoral and did not want to cross the Jordan. This specific verse delineates the western border of their territory. Let's break it down:

"and in the valley, Beth Haram, Beth Nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon": This lists specific towns and settlements located within the valley. These were probably agricultural centers or important strategic locations, now within the tribes' control. This indicates a fertile and potentially valuable area.

"the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon": This acknowledges that this land was previously part of the kingdom ruled by Sihon. The Israelites had conquered Sihon and his territory, and this verse is part of defining what now belongs to Reuben and Gad. Heshbon was Sihon's capital, a place of note.

"the Jordan’s bank, to the uttermost part of the sea of Chinnereth beyond the Jordan eastward": This specifies the western boundary. The Jordan River and the Sea of Chinnereth (also known as the Sea of Galilee or Lake Tiberias) form the western edge of their territory. The phrase "beyond the Jordan eastward" is a very explicit way of saying that they were on the east side of the river, relative to where the rest of the Israelites were positioned in Canaan. "To the uttermost part" means that they controlled the bank of the Jordan up to the farthest reaches of the Sea of Chinnereth.

In essence, this verse is a detailed geographical marker, establishing a boundary for the land given to the tribes of Reuben and Gad:

It describes specific settlements within their territory.
It reminds the reader of the land's former ownership (Sihon).
It clearly defines the western boundary as the Jordan River and the Sea of Chinnereth.
It reiterates that this land is east of the Jordan River.

Significance:

Territorial Division: This is a key piece of information for understanding the political geography of early Israel. It shows how the land was being carved up and assigned to different tribes.
Historical Context: The verse acknowledges the conquest of Sihon, reminding the reader of the recent battles and victories.
Tribal Identity: This land became part of the identity and inheritance of the tribes of Reuben and Gad.

Understanding these geographical details helps to visualize the layout of the land and the distribution of power among the Israelite tribes.

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