King James Version

What Does Joshua 13:27 Mean?

Joshua 13:27 in the King James Version says “And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, ...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.”

Joshua 13:27 · KJV

Context

25

And their coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that is before Rabbah;

26

And from Heshbon unto Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir;

27

And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.

28

This is the inheritance of the children of Gad after their families, the cities, and their villages.

29

And Moses gave inheritance unto the half tribe of Manasseh: and this was the possession of the half tribe of the children of Manasseh by their families.

Read Joshua 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And in the valley, Beth-aram, and Beth-nimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon—The Hebrew ba'emeq (בָּעֵמֶק, "in the valley") refers to the Jordan Valley portion of Gad's territory, contrasting with the highland cities previously mentioned. Beth-aram (בֵית הָרָם) and Beth-nimrah (בֵית נִמְרָה, "house of leopard") were fortified cities with good water sources. Succoth (סֻכּוֹת, "booths") was where Jacob built shelters after returning from Paddan-aram (Genesis 33:17) and where Gideon later punished the men who refused to help him (Judges 8:5-16).

Zaphon (צָפוֹן, "north") served as a royal city in Sihon's kingdom. These valley cities provided agricultural richness and trade route control but required fortification against raids. The contrast between valley and highland holdings in Gad's inheritance mirrors Christian experience: we occupy both lowland places of productivity and fruitfulness, and highland places of vision and defense. Both require faithful stewardship, yet each presents unique challenges and opportunities.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Jordan Valley cities were located in the ghor (rift valley) east of the Jordan River, benefiting from the Jabbok River and other water sources flowing from the Gilead highlands. These settlements controlled fords across the Jordan and trade routes running north-south through the valley. The lower altitude and water access made them agricultural centers, though the same accessibility that brought prosperity also brought vulnerability to raiders.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Gad's possession of both valley (productivity) and highland (defense) territories illustrate the balanced Christian life?
  2. What does Succoth's history (Jacob's peaceful dwelling, later Gideon's judgment) teach about how places can witness both blessing and judgment?
  3. How might the need to fortify even prosperous valley cities speak to the reality that material blessing doesn't eliminate spiritual warfare?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וּבָעֵ֡מֶק1 of 21

“And in the valley”

H6010

a vale (i.e., broad depression)

בֵּ֣ית2 of 21
H0
הָרָם֩3 of 21

“Betharam”

H1027

beth-ha-ram, a place east of the jordan

וּבֵ֨ית4 of 21
H0
נִמְרָ֜ה5 of 21

“and Bethnimrah”

H1039

beth-nimrah, a place east of the jordan

וְסֻכּ֣וֹת6 of 21

“and Succoth”

H5523

succoth, the name of a place in egypt and of three in palestine

וְצָפ֗וֹן7 of 21

“and Zaphon”

H6829

tsaphon, a place in palestine

יֶ֚תֶר8 of 21

“the rest”

H3499

properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)

מַמְלְכ֗וּת9 of 21

“of the kingdom”

H4468

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

סִיחוֹן֙10 of 21

“of Sihon”

H5511

sichon, an amoritish king

מֶ֣לֶךְ11 of 21

“king”

H4428

a king

חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן12 of 21

“of Heshbon”

H2809

cheshbon, a place east of the jordan

הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן13 of 21

“Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

וּגְבֻ֑ל14 of 21

“and his border”

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

עַד15 of 21
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

קְצֵה֙16 of 21

“even unto the edge”

H7097

an extremity

יָם17 of 21

“of the sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

כִּנֶּ֔רֶת18 of 21

“of Chinnereth”

H3672

kinneroth or kinnereth, a place in palestine

עֵ֥בֶר19 of 21

“on the other side”

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן20 of 21

“Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

מִזְרָֽחָה׃21 of 21

“eastward”

H4217

sunrise, i.e., the east

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 13:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 13:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 33:17Numbers 32:36Numbers 34:11Deuteronomy 3:17Joshua 11:2Numbers 32:3

Places in This Verse

Beth-haramSettlement · Modern: Tall Iktanu · 31.82°N, 35.67°E2 verses across 2 books
Beth-nimrahSettlement · Modern: Tall Bleibel · 31.91°N, 35.64°E2 verses across 2 books
HeshbonSettlement · Modern: Tell Hesban · 31.80°N, 35.81°E37 verses across 9 books
JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
Sea of GalileeBody of Water · Modern: Sea of Galilee · 32.82°N, 35.59°E10 verses across 5 books
Succoth 1Settlement · Modern: Tell Deir Alla · 32.20°N, 35.62°E10 verses across 5 books
Zaphon 1Settlement · Modern: Tell es Sa’idiyeh · 32.27°N, 35.58°E2 verses across 2 books
View all places in Joshua 13 →

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