Joshua 13:16

And their coast was from Aroer, that [is] on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that [is] in the midst of the river, and all the plain by Medeba;

And their coast {H1366} was from Aroer {H6177}, that is on the bank {H8193} of the river {H5158} Arnon {H769}, and the city {H5892} that is in the midst {H8432} of the river {H5158}, and all the plain {H4334} by Medeba {H4311};

Their territory included 'Aro'er on the edge of the Arnon Valley, the city in the middle of the valley, all the plateau near Meidva,

The territory from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the middle of the valley, to the whole plateau beyond Medeba,

And their border was from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain by Medeba;

Joshua 13:16 meticulously outlines a portion of the territory allotted to the tribe of Reuben, one of the tribes that settled east of the Jordan River. This verse, though seemingly a dry geographical listing, is part of the extensive record of how God fulfilled His promises to Israel by giving them the land of Canaan as their inheritance.

Context

This verse is situated within Joshua chapters 13-19, which detail the division of the land of Canaan among the Israelite tribes. Joshua 13 specifically addresses the territories assigned to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who had requested and received their inheritance on the eastern side of the Jordan before crossing into the main land of Canaan. Verse 16 specifies the southern boundary of Reuben's inheritance, reaching down to the significant natural landmark of the Arnon River.

Geographical Details

  • Aroer: This city was strategically located on the northern bank of the Arnon River. It served as a key landmark and a significant border town, often marking the southern extent of Israelite territory in Transjordan.
  • River Arnon: A prominent wadi (riverbed) that formed a major natural boundary. It historically separated the territory of Moab to the south from the Amorite (and later Israelite) lands to the north.
  • The city that is in the midst of the river: This likely refers to a part of Aroer that may have been built on an island or a section of the riverbed itself, highlighting its unique and strong defensive position.
  • All the plain by Medeba: This refers to the fertile plateau region north of the Arnon, extending towards Medeba, a significant city in the territory of Moab, which Reuben's territory bordered.

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of God's Promises: The precise description of boundaries underscores God's faithfulness in granting the promised land to His people, as foretold to Abraham and his descendants. Every detail of the inheritance is recorded, demonstrating divine precision.
  • Order and Specificity: The meticulous recording of geographical markers and boundaries highlights God's orderly nature and the importance of clear, defined inheritances for each of the tribes of Israel. This prevented disputes and ensured each tribe received its designated portion.
  • Divine Allotment: The land was not merely conquered but divinely apportioned, emphasizing God's ultimate sovereignty over nations and territories, and His active role in the lives of His people. The territory of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh east of the Jordan River was part of this divine plan.

Linguistic Insight

The King James Version word "coast" in this verse (and many other Old Testament contexts) does not refer to a shoreline, but rather to a border, boundary, or territory. The Hebrew word is gevul (גְּבוּל), which consistently carries this meaning of a defined limit or frontier.

Practical Application

While a geographical listing, Joshua 13:16 serves as a reminder of God's meticulous care and faithfulness in keeping His word. It teaches us that:

  1. God's promises are precise and will be fulfilled down to the last detail.
  2. There is divine order in God's plans, even when they involve complex distributions or seemingly mundane details.
  3. We can trust God to provide and define the boundaries of our lives, whether they be physical, spiritual, or relational. Understanding our "boundaries" from God's perspective can bring peace and clarity.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Joshua 13:9

    From Aroer, that [is] upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that [is] in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon;

  • Joshua 12:2

    Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, [and] ruled from Aroer, which [is] upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, [which is] the border of the children of Ammon;

  • Deuteronomy 3:12

    ¶ And this land, [which] we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which [is] by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites.

  • Jeremiah 48:21

    And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,

  • Jeremiah 48:24

    And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.

  • Isaiah 15:4

    And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard [even] unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous unto him.

  • Isaiah 16:7

    Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely [they are] stricken.
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