Joshua 18:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

passed alongside the 'Aravah, heading north; and went down to the 'Aravah.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then it went on to the northern slope of Beth-arabah and went down into the valley.

American Standard Version:

and it passed along to the side over against the Arabah northward, and went down unto the Arabah;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And passed along^{H5674} toward the side^{H3802} over against^{H4136} Arabah^{H6160} northward^{H6828}, and went down^{H3381} unto Arabah^{H6160}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Joshua 18:18

Joshua 18:18 is a part of the narrative in the Hebrew Bible that describes the division of the land of Canaan among the Israelite tribes after their arrival in the Promised Land. The book of Joshua recounts the leadership of Joshua, who succeeded Moses, and his role in leading the Israelites in the conquest and settlement of Canaan.

In the verse, the description of the boundary for the tribe of Benjamin is being detailed. The passage indicates that the boundary line "passed along toward the side over against Arabah northward," which suggests that it ran parallel to the Jordan Valley (the Arabah), moving in a northerly direction. The verse then notes that the boundary "went down unto Arabah," indicating that it descended to the lower region of the Jordan Valley.

The Arabah is a geographical term used to describe the deep valley that extends from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea, which is part of the Great Rift Valley. This region is significant in biblical geography, as it is associated with important biblical events and is often used as a natural boundary in the descriptions of tribal allotments.

In summary, Joshua 18:18 is part of the detailed account of how the land of Canaan was apportioned among the tribes of Israel. It specifically outlines part of the boundary for the tribe of Benjamin, highlighting its proximity to the Jordan Valley, a key geographical feature in the region. This verse reflects the broader themes of inheritance, divine promise, and the establishment of the Israelites in the land that God had promised to their ancestors.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5674
   There are 493 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַר
   Transliteration: ʻâbar
   Pronunciation: aw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation); alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3802
   There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּתֵף
   Transliteration: kâthêph
   Pronunciation: kaw-thafe'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to clothe; 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 anything; arm, corner, shoulder(-piece), side, undersetter.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4136
   There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוּל
   Transliteration: mûwl
   Pronunciation: mool
   Description: or מוֹל; (Deuteronomy 1:1), or מוֹאל; (Nehemiah 12:38), or מֻל; (Numbers 22:5), from מוּל; properly, abrupt, i.e. a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite; (over) against, before, (fore-) front, from, (God-) ward, toward, with.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6160
   There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֲרָבָה
   Transliteration: ʻărâbâh
   Pronunciation: ar-aw-baw'
   Description: from עָרַב (in the sense of sterility); a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea; Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See also בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6828
   There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָפוֹן
   Transliteration: tsâphôwn
   Pronunciation: tsaw-fone'
   Description: or צָפֹן; from צָפַן; properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown); north(-ern, side, -ward, wind).
   
6. Strong's Number: H3381
   There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרַד
   Transliteration: yârad
   Pronunciation: yaw-rad'
   Description: a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.