King James Version

What Does Joshua 18:16 Mean?

Joshua 18:16 in the King James Version says “And the border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in t... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south, and descended to Enrogel,

Joshua 18:16 · KJV


Context

14

And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Bethhoron southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter.

15

And the south quarter was from the end of Kirjathjearim, and the border went out on the west, and went out to the well of waters of Nephtoah:

16

And the border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south, and descended to Enrogel,

17

And was drawn from the north, and went forth to Enshemesh, and went forth toward Geliloth, which is over against the going up of Adummim, and descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben,

18

And passed along toward the side over against Arabah northward, and went down unto Arabah: Arabah: or, the plain


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom—The Valley of Hinnom (Hebrew Gei ben-Hinnom, גֵּי בֶן־הִנֹּם) became notorious as Jerusalem's garbage dump and later a site of child sacrifice to Molech (2 Kings 23:10). Its Greek name, Gehenna, became Jesus' primary metaphor for hell.

The valley of the giants (Emek Rephaim) references the pre-Israelite inhabitants. The border descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south—Jebusi being Jerusalem—then to En-rogel (Fuller's Spring). These ominous place names remind Israel of conquered enemies and conquered evil.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Hinnom Valley bordered Jerusalem on the south and west. By Jesus' time, its Hebrew name Ge-Hinnom (Gehenna) universally symbolized final judgment due to its association with idolatry and perpetual fires. The Rephaim were gigantic inhabitants conquered by David (2 Samuel 5:18-22).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do places associated with evil in your past become reminders of God's deliverance?
  2. What does Hinnom's transformation from border marker to judgment symbol teach about sin's consequences?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְיָרַ֖ד1 of 25

and descended

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

הַגְּב֜וּל2 of 25

And the border

H1366

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

אֶל3 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

קְצֵ֣ה4 of 25

to the end

H7097

an extremity

הָהָ֗ר5 of 25

of the mountain

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

אֲשֶׁר֙6 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַל7 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵי֙8 of 25

that lieth before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

גֵּ֨י9 of 25

the valley

H1516

a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)

בֶן10 of 25

of the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הִנֹּ֜ם11 of 25

of Hinnom

H2011

hinnom, apparently a jebusite

אֲשֶׁ֛ר12 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּעֵ֥מֶק13 of 25

and which is in the valley

H6010

a vale (i.e., broad depression)

רְפָאִ֖ים14 of 25

of the giants

H7497

a giant

צָפ֑וֹנָה15 of 25

on the north

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

וְיָרַ֖ד16 of 25

and descended

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

גֵּ֨י17 of 25

the valley

H1516

a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)

הִנֹּ֜ם18 of 25

of Hinnom

H2011

hinnom, apparently a jebusite

אֶל19 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כֶּ֤תֶף20 of 25

to the side

H3802

the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi

הַיְבוּסִי֙21 of 25

of Jebusi

H2983

a jebusite or inhabitant of jebus

נֶ֔גְבָּה22 of 25

on the south

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

וְיָרַ֖ד23 of 25

and descended

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

עֵ֥ין24 of 25
H0
רֹגֵֽל׃25 of 25

to Enrogel

H5883

en-rogel, a place near jerusalem


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 18:16 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 18:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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