King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ 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;
Complete Jewish Bible:
The border of the descendants of Efrayim according to their families was as follows: the eastern border of their inheritance began at 'Atrot-Adar and went to Upper Beit-Horon;
Berean Standard Bible:
This was the territory of the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: The border of their inheritance went from Ataroth-addar in the east to Upper Beth-horon
American Standard Version:
And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus: the border of their inheritance eastward was Ataroth-addar, unto Beth-horon the upper;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the border{H1366} of the children{H1121} of Ephraim{H669} according to their families{H4940} was thus: even the border{H1366} of their inheritance{H5159} on the east side{H4217} was Atarothaddar{H5853}, unto Bethhoron{H1032} the upper{H5945};
Cross-References (KJV):
Joshua 18:13
- And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which [is] Bethel, southward; and the border descended to Atarothadar, near the hill that [lieth] on the south side of the nether Bethhoron.
Joshua 16:2
- And goeth out from Bethel to Luz, and passeth along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth,
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Commentary for Joshua 16:5
Joshua 16:5 is a part of the larger narrative found in the Book of Joshua, which details the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel after their exodus from Egypt and the death of Moses. The book is named after Joshua, who succeeded Moses as the leader of the Israelites and was charged with the task of bringing the people into the land that God had promised to their ancestors.
In the verse at hand, the focus is on the allotment given to the tribe of Ephraim, one of the central tribes in the northern part of the territory. The verse specifically outlines the eastern border of Ephraim's inheritance, mentioning two significant points: Atarothaddar and Bethhoron the upper. Atarothaddar's exact location is not certain today, but it was an important boundary marker for the tribe. Bethhoron, on the other hand, is better known; it was a strategically located city on the border between the hill country and the coastal plain, and its mention as "the upper" suggests it was part of a larger defensive system of fortresses.
The themes present in this verse include the fulfillment of God's promises, as the division of the land was a tangible sign of God's faithfulness to His people. It also reflects the importance of inheritance and lineage, as the land was divided among the tribes according to their families. Additionally, the precise delineation of borders underscores the significance of geography and territoriality in the ancient world, where land was not only a source of livelihood but also a symbol of identity and security.
In summary, Joshua 16:5 describes the eastern boundary of the territory allotted to the tribe of Ephraim, highlighting key geographical points. This allocation was part of the broader narrative of the Israelites settling in the land of Canaan, an event steeped in theological significance as it represented the realization of divine promises to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The verse reflects themes of divine promise, inheritance, and the importance of defined borders in the ancient world.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1366
There are 196 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גְּבוּל
Transliteration: gᵉbûwl
Pronunciation: gheb-ool'
Description: or גְּבֻל; (shortened) from גָּבַל; properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed; border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H669
There are 313 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶפְרַיִם
Transliteration: ʼEphrayim
Pronunciation: ef-rah'-yim
Description: dual of masculine form of אֶפְרָת; double fruit; Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; Ephraim, Ephraimites. - Strong's Number: H4940
There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּחָה
Transliteration: mishpâchâh
Pronunciation: mish-paw-khaw'
Description: from שָׁפָה (compare שִׁפְחָה); a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people; family, kind(-red). - Strong's Number: H5159
There are 191 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נַחֲלָה
Transliteration: nachălâh
Pronunciation: nakh-al-aw'
Description: from נָחַל (in its usual sense); properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion; heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession. Compare נַחַל. - Strong's Number: H4217
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִזְרָח
Transliteration: mizrâch
Pronunciation: miz-rawkh'
Description: from זָרַח; sunrise, i.e. the east; east (side, -ward), (sun-) rising (of the sun). - Strong's Number: H5853
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַטְרוֹת אַדָּר
Transliteration: ʻAṭrôwth ʼAddâr
Pronunciation: at-roth' ad-dawr'
Description: from the same as עֲטָרוֹת and אַדָּר; crowns of Addar; Atroth-Addar, a place in Palestine; Ataroth-adar(-addar). - Strong's Number: H1032
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּית חוֹרוֹן
Transliteration: Bêyth Chôwrôwn
Pronunciation: bayth kho-rone'
Description: from בַּיִת and חוֹר; house of hollowness; Beth-Choron, the name of two adjoining places in Palestine; Beth-horon. - Strong's Number: H5945
There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶלְיוֹן
Transliteration: ʻelyôwn
Pronunciation: el-yone'
Description: from עָלָה; an elevation, i.e. (adj.) lofty (compar.); as title, the Supreme; (Most, on) high(-er, -est), upper(-most).