King James Version
What Does Joshua 16:5 Mean?
“And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper;”
Context
3
And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out thereof are at the sea.
4
So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.
5
And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper;
6
And the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah on the north side; and the border went about eastward unto Taanathshiloh, and passed by it on the east to Janohah;
7
And it went down from Janohah to Ataroth, and to Naarath, and came to Jericho, and went out at Jordan.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(5-8*)* **The border** (of Ephraim’s inheritance) **on the east side.**—The words “on the east side” are not easy to understand. If Ataroth-addar is rightly identified as *Ed-Dârieh, *and Mickmethah as the plain of *Mukhnah, *then the line from Ataroth-addar and Beth-horon to Michmethah is a line running due north, and separating the territory of Ephraim on the east from that of Dan on the west. The line from Michmethah to Taanath-shiloh (*Tana, *sheet 12) and Janohah (*Yânûn, *south of *T’ana, *sheet 15), and so to Jordan, is a line running from north-west to south-east. The brook Kanah is (roughly) continuous with this line, but in a westerly direction, and leads us towards the sea. We thus obtain for the territory of Ephraim four boundary-lines—viz.: (*a*) the plain of Jordan on the east; (*b*) the line of hills bordering the Shephelah on the west; (*c*) the brook Kanah, and the line passing through Taanath-shiloh and Janohah to Jordan on the north; and (*d*) the north border of Benjamin (Joshua 16:1-3, and Joshua 18:12-14) on the south.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 16:5 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 16:5
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge