Judges 2:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and they buried him near the boundary of his property in Timnat-Heres, in the hills of Efrayim, north of Mount Ga'ash.

Berean Standard Bible:

They buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath-heres in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.

American Standard Version:

And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill-country of Ephraim, on the north of the mountain of Gaash.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And they buried{H6912} him in the border{H1366} of his inheritance{H5159} in Timnathheres{H8556}, in the mount{H2022} of Ephraim{H669}, on the north side{H6828} of the hill{H2022} Gaash{H1608}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Joshua 19:50

  • According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, [even] Timnathserah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein.

Joshua 24:30

  • And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathserah, which [is] in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash.

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Commentary for Judges 2:9

Judges 2:9, "And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash," is a verse that speaks to the burial place of Joshua, the successor to Moses, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land. The verse is set within the historical context of the period following the conquest of Canaan, as described in the Book of Joshua. It highlights several key themes:

1. **Inheritance and Legacy**: The mention of Joshua being buried within the "border of his inheritance" underscores the importance of the land and its division among the tribes of Israel, as commanded by God. Joshua's burial within his allotted inheritance signifies his connection to the land and the fulfillment of God's promises to the Israelites.

2. **Geographical Significance**: Timnathheres, located in the mount of Ephraim near the hill of Gaash, was part of the territory allocated to the tribe of Ephraim (Joshua 19:50, 24:30). This area was centrally located within the land of Canaan and held significance as the heartland of the Israelite tribal territories.

3. **Leadership Transition**: The burial of Joshua marks the end of an era and the transition from the generation that had witnessed the Exodus and the conquest to a new generation that would face the challenges of maintaining the land and their faith in God without the leadership of their great commander.

4. **Fulfillment of God's Promises**: The verse serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in bringing the Israelites into the land He had promised to their ancestors. Joshua's life and burial in this land are tangible evidence of these promises being fulfilled.

5. **Historical Bookending**: This verse is part of a narrative device that bookends the life of Joshua. It echoes the earlier account of his death and burial in Joshua 24:29-31, reinforcing the completion of his mission and the historical record of his time.

In summary, Judges 2:9 is not only a record of Joshua's burial place but also a symbolic statement about the fulfillment of God's promises, the importance of the land to the Israelites, and the transition of leadership in a new era for the nation of Israel. It emphasizes the centrality of Ephraim in the Israelite territories and serves as a historical marker within the broader narrative of the Israelites' journey from slavery to settlement in the Promised Land.

*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: H6912
    There are 122 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָבַר
    Transliteration: qâbar
    Pronunciation: kaw-bar'
    Description: a primitive root; to inter; [idiom] in any wise, bury(-ier).
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Strong's Number: H8556
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: תִּמְנַת חֶרֶס
    Transliteration: Timnath Chereç
    Pronunciation: tim-nath kheh'-res
    Description: or תִּמְנַת סֶרַח; from תִּמְנָה and חֶרֶס; portion of (the) sun; Timnath-Cheres, a place in Palestine; Timnath-heres, Timnath-serah.
  5. Strong's Number: H2022
    There are 485 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: הַר
    Transliteration: har
    Pronunciation: har
    Description: a shortened form of הָרָר; a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively); hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion.
  6. 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.
  7. 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).
  8. Strong's Number: H1608
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: גַּעַשׁ
    Transliteration: Gaʻash
    Pronunciation: ga'-ash
    Description: from גָּעַשׁ; a quaking; Gaash, a hill in Palestine; Gaash.