King James Version

What Does Joshua 18:19 Mean?

And the border passed along to the side of Bethhoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay o... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the border passed along to the side of Bethhoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan: this was the south coast. bay: Heb. tongue”

Joshua 18:19 · King James Version

Context

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

19

And the border passed along to the side of Bethhoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan: this was the south coast. bay: Heb. tongue

20

And Jordan was the border of it on the east side. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by the coasts thereof round about, according to their families.

21

Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz,

Read Joshua 18 full chapter

Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
The border passed along to the side of Beth-hoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan—Beth-hoglah ('house of the partridge') marks the northeastern corner where Benjamin's border reaches the Dead Sea (yam ha-melach, יָם הַמֶּלַח, 'salt sea'). The north bay specifies the Dead Sea's northern tip where the Jordan flows in.

This was the south coast completes Benjamin's boundary description. From Jordan's source to its termination in the lifeless salt sea, the border encompasses death-to-life geography. This pictures redemption: from death in sin to life in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Dead Sea, earth's lowest point at 1,410 feet below sea level, supported no life due to extreme salinity. Its placement at Benjamin's border created a natural eastern defense. Beth-hoglah lay in the Jordan plain, part of the lush region contrasting with the Dead Sea's barrenness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the journey from living water (Jordan) to dead water (Salt Sea) picture spiritual decline?
  2. What 'Dead Sea' situations in your life need the living water of Christ?
KS
Written by KJV Study Commentary • Biblical Commentary

Compare 2 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְעָבַ֨ר
1 of 22

“passed along”

H5674
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
גְּב֥וּל
2 of 22

“And the border”

H1366
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
אֶל
3 of 22
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
כֶּ֣תֶף
4 of 22

“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
בֵּית
5 of 22
H0
חָגְלָה֮
6 of 22

“of Bethhoglah”

H1031
beth-choglah, a place in palestine
צָפ֔וֹנָה
7 of 22

“northward”

H6828
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
וְהָי֣ה׀
8 of 22
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
תֹּֽצְא֣וֹתיו
9 of 22

“and the outgoings”

H8444
(only in plural collective) exit, i.e., (geographical) boundary, or (figuratively) deliverance, (actively) source
גְּב֥וּל
10 of 22

“And the border”

H1366
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
אֶל
11 of 22
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
לְשׁ֤וֹן
12 of 22

“bay”

H3956
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
יָם
13 of 22

“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
הַמֶּ֙לַח֙
14 of 22

“of the salt”

H4417
properly, powder, i.e., (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved)
צָפ֔וֹנָה
15 of 22

“northward”

H6828
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
אֶל
16 of 22
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
קְצֵ֥ה
17 of 22

“end”

H7097
an extremity
הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן
18 of 22

“of Jordan”

H3383
jarden, the principal river of palestine
נֶֽגֶב׃
19 of 22

“at the south”

H5045
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
זֶ֖ה
20 of 22
H2088
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
גְּב֥וּל
21 of 22

“And the border”

H1366
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
נֶֽגֶב׃
22 of 22

“at the south”

H5045
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

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 18:19 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 18:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 14:3Joshua 15:2Genesis 19:25Joshua 12:3Joshua 3:16Isaiah 11:15

Places in This Verse

Beth-hoglahSettlement · Modern: Deir Hajla · 31.82°N, 35.50°E3 verses across 1 book
JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
Salt SeaBody of Water · Modern: Dead Sea · 31.50°N, 35.50°E21 verses across 11 books
View all places in Joshua 18 →

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